Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3136

Introduced by Hon. Jose Manuel F. Alba

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill was based on Executive Order No. 533 which was signed by then
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 6, 2006. The concept of Integrated
Coastal Ecosystem Management (ICEM) arose out of the need to integrate the
efforts from "ridge to reef," or from the uplands to the lowlands, to protect coastal
and marine resources from which as much as 60 percent of our GDP is derived. It
is an institutional legal framework to coordinate the efforts of various agencies and
communities to plan and work together in resolving conflicts arising from the use
of resources from forest ridges to coastal areas and ultimately, in marine water:

‘There are four national government agencies that have major administrative
role in managing the country's coastal and marine resources. These are the DENR,
Department of Agriculture — Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-
BEAR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Philippine
National Police (PNP) and the Department of Transportation and Communication
(DOTO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The DENR, particularly the Coastal and
Marine Management Office (CMMO), has the overall mandate to coordinate
national efforts for environmental protection and management of marine md coastal
environments. The DA- BFAR has primary responsibility over the conservation and
proper utilization of fishery resources. The DILG-PNP, on the other hand, has the
general responsibility over enforcement of criminal laws in coastal waters, including
illegal fishing activities while the DOTC-PCG's function is limited to safety of life at
sea and the prevention and control of marine pollution.

Overall, there are more than twenty other government agencies with various
policy, regulatory, planning, research, and development functions in the coastal
and marine environment.


ICEM will serve as a holistic (covers upland to marine areas) and ecological
(transcend political boundaries for certain ecosystems] planning tool that will facilitate the
management of coastal and marine resources. It is a system for cooperative management
and intersectoral coordination, planning, and reporting mainstreamed at the local and
national levels to address complex activities such as deforestation, mining, fishing,
shipping, public health, and recreation.

{will not mean the creation of another agency. ‘The bill only seeks to establish a
coordinative body named the National Coordinating Committee on ICEM, to coordinate the
review and implementation of the National ICEM Framework. It will be composed of the
Secretaries of the DENR as Chairman, secretaries of DA and DILG as Vice Chairpersons, NEDA
Director General, and representatives from the academe, NGOs dealing with coastal management
or fisheries private sector, fisherfolk organizations or cooperatives, and the Philippine Association
of Marine Sciences (PAMS)

At the local level, ICEM will utilize the existing local development councils which will
also ensure the fact that ICEM will now be included and eventually mainstreamed in the
national economic planning.

ICEM is an_ internationally recognized coastal and marine planning tool which
produced successful pilot areas such ae Bataan, Guimaras, Cavite, and Batangas City.

ICEM is aimed at attaining two objectives: first, is to shift the focus of the country's
development planning from terrestrial to coastal and marine to reflect the significant
contribution of such areas to the national GDP; second, is to establish an ecological approach
in managing the country’s coastal and marine environment to promote sustainable

development, achieve food security, and to reduce the country's vulnerability to impacts of
Climate Change.

It must also be emphasized that this bill was already deliberated upon by relevant government
agencies and civil society groups during the 18" Congress.

Based on the foregoing reasons, I would like to work for the passage of the subject

bill into law. A
JOBE J F, ALBA

Representative, 1* District, Bukidnon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3136

Introduced by Hon. Jose Manuel F. Alba

AN ACT
ADOPTING INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT AS A NATIONAL STRATEGY
FOR THE HOLISTIC AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF COASTAL AND
RELATED ECOSYSTEMS AND THE RESOURCES THEREIN FROM RIDGE TO
REEF, ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT ACTION PLAN,
OTHER SUPPORTING MECHANISMS FOR IMPLEMENTATION, AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Beit enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION I. Short Title. —This Act shall be known as the “Integrated Coastal Management
Act.”

SEC. 2. Policy Statement. ~\t shall be the policy of the State to ensure the sustainable
management of the country’s coastal and marine environment and resources by looking at the
interconnectivity of ecosystems from the watersheds to the coastal and marine areas. Towards this end,
it shall adopt integrated coastal management, hereinafter referred to as ICM, as a framework in
regulating different human activities, restoring or rehabilitating, and ensuring a multi-stakeholder and
tidge-to-reef approach to ecosystem management, with due consideration to ecological connectivity
and their impact on social and ecological systems. The framework shall support the country’s
achievement of sustainable development, food secutity, just transition to sustainable livelihood, poverty
alleviation, and its vulnerability and risk reduction, while respecting the traditional resource tights of
indigenous peoples and gender equality



SEC. 3. Scope and Coverage. — Integrated Coastal Management shall be implemented in all

local government units (1,GUs) addressing the inter linkages among ecosystems from ridge-to-reef, by
all relevant government structures at the national and local levels in consultation and partnership with
all stakeholders through participatory governance.

SEC. 4, Definition of Terms. ~ As used in this Act:

@

(2)

©

@

©)

©

()

Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or
expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial
opportunities.

Beach Forest refers to a narrow strip of woodland along the sandy and gravelly beaches of the
seacoast dominated by ferminalia cutappa, caswarina equiseifola, barringtonia asiatica, sonneratia
caseolaris, acacia farnesiana, and erythrina orients,

Biological Diversity or Biodiversity refers to the variability among living organisms from all sources
including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are part. Biodiversity consists of variety of species, their genetic make-
up, and the communities to which they belong.

Climate Change tefers to changes in the mean and/or variability of climate properties that persist
for an extended period typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a
result of human activity

Coastal Area or Zone refers to a band of dry land and adjacent ocean space (water and submerged
land) in which terrestrial processes and uses directly affect oceanic processes and uses, and 1iee
reraa; its geographic extent may include areas within a landmatk limit of one (1) kilometer fom
the shoreline at high tide to include mangrove swamps, brackish water ponds, nipa swamps,
estuarine rivers, sandy beaches and other areas within a seaward limit of 200 meters isobath to
include coral reefs, algal flats, seagrass beds and other soft-bottom areas.

Coastal Greenbelts refers to a strip of natural or artificially created coastal vegetation including
mangroves, beach forest, phytoplankton and seagrasses, stretching at least up to 1.5 meters
above towards land and up to 1.5 meters below towards the ocean from mean sea level,
designed to prevent coastal erosion, and mitigate the adverse impacts of natural coastal hazards
on human lives and property

Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) refers to a document that pertains to the multi-sectoral
plan formulated at the city or municipal level, which embodies the vision, sectoral goals,
objectives, development strategies and policies within the term of LGU officials and the
‘medium-term.

Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CL.UP) refers to the document formulated by the cities and
municipalities in consultation with its stakeholders, that defines ot provides guidelines on the
allocation, utilization, development and management of all lands within a given territory or
jurisdiction according to the inherent qualities of the land itself and supportive economic,
demographic, socio-cultural and environmental objectives as defined in Republic Act No.



11201, otherwise known as the “Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
Act”.

@ Designated Area for Coastal Greenbelts refers to site specific stretch of vegetation in areas with
abandoned fishponds requiring the reversion thereof to mangroves through natural
regeneration or replanting with locally appropriate species. designated areas with illegal
structures, such as breakwaters, permanent residential or commercial structures, and the like,
require removal of such structures.

@) Disaster Risk Reduction refers to the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through
systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, through reduced
exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land
and the environment; and improved prepasedness for adverse events.

(8) Ecosystems Seriees refer to the benefits peopie obtain from the ecosystems such as:
1) provisioning which refers to the services that provide food, water, timber, and fiber;

2) regulating which refers to the services that affect climate, floods, disease, wastes, and
water quality;

3) cultural which refers to the services that provide recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual
benefits; and

4) supporting which refers to the essential services such as soil formation, photosynthesis,
and nutrient cycling.

Holistic and Sustainable Management refers to the management of all components of the
ecosystem and the services it provides in a way at a rate that maintains and enhances its current,
state and resilience, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs of the aspirations of
present and future generations. This approach involves all stakeholders in collaborative
decision-making, including scientists, national and local government, private sector, local
residents, and the public towards the protection, conservation, restoration, and sustainable use
of the ecosystem and the resources therein.

(m) Integrated Coastal Management refers to a natural resource and environmental ecosystem-based
‘management framework which employs an integrative, holistic management approach and an
interactive planning process in addressing the complex management issues of the coastal area,
and the major goal of which is to attain sustainable coastal development, including the
maintenance of the functional integrity of ecosystems through effective coastal and ocean
governance.

(1) Mangrove Forest refers to the forested wetland growing along tidal mudflats and along shallow
water coastal areas extending inland along rivers, streams and their tributaries where the water
is generally brackish and composed mainly of rhicgphons, braguiera, ceriaps, avcennia, ard aegiceras.

(©) Municipal waters refer not only to streams, lak
the municipality which are not included within the protected areas as defined under R.A

3

, inland bodies of water, and tidal waters within


No.11038, otherwise known as the “Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act
2of 2018”, public forest, timber lands, forest reserves, or fishery reserves, but also marine waters
included between two 2) lines drawn perpendicular to the general coastline from points where
the boundary lines of the municipality touch the sea at low tide and a third line parallel with the
general coastline including offshore islands and fifteen (15) kilometers from such coastline

Where two (2) municipalities are so situated on opposite shores and when with less than thirty
(30) kilometers of matine waters between them, the third line shall be equally distant from
opposite shore of the respective municipalities.

(p) Provincial Development and Physical Framework. Plan (PDPFP) cefers to the plan document
formulated at the provincial level that merges the traditionally separate provincial physical
framework plan and provincial development plan to address the disconnect between spatial and
sectoral factors and between medium and long-term concems. it contains the long-term vision
of the province, and identifies development goals, strategies, objectives or targets and
cottesponding Programs, Projects and Activities (PPAs) which serve as primary inputs to
provincial investment programming and subsequent budgeting and plan implementation.

(@ State of the Coasts Reporting System refers to an assessment tool for LGUs to be used in measuring,
the progress and benefits of ICM implementation. It allows the LGUs to document and
measure the effectiveness and impacts of policy and management interventions in support of
sustainable coastal development and evaluste progress towards local, national, and international
targets for sustainable development.

() Watershed refers to a land area drained by a stream or fixed body of water and its tributaries
having a common outlet for surface run-off. it is topographically delineated area of land form
which rainwater can drain as surface run-off, via a specific stream or river system to a common
outlet point. It encompasses ridge to reef areas and may include the uplands, lowlands, and
coastal areas.

(©) Wetlands sefer to a wide variety of inland habitats such as marshes, peatlands, floodplains, rivers
and lakes, and coastal areas such as saltmarshes, mangroves, intertidal mudflats and seagrass
beds, and also coral reefs and other marine areas no deeper than six (6) meters at low tide, as
well as human-made wetlands such as dams, reservoirs, rice paddies and wastewater treatment
ponds and lagoons.

CHAPTER II
INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT SYS!

iM

SEC. 5. National Coordinating Committee on ICM, ~'there is hereby established a
National Coordinating Committee on ICM, hereinafter referred to as the National Coordinating
Committee (NCO), to coordinate the review and implementation of the National ICM Framework

‘The NCC shall be composed of the following members:

(@) the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who shall
act as Chairperson;

(b) the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as Co-chairperson;
4


(©) the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as Vice Chairperson;
(@ the Vice Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) as Vice Chairperson;

(©) the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG);

(Othe Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);

@ a representative from the academe who specializes in ICM;

(h) a representative from non-government organizations dealing with coastal management or
fisheries;

(@ a representative from the private sector; and

@) a representative from any other organizations not mentioned above as the NCC may deem
necessary.
‘The designated permanent representatives shall be chosen in a process to be determined in the
implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

‘The x officio members of the Committee may designate their permanent representatives to the
NCC: Provided That, the permanent representatives may designate theit authorized representatives
whose ranks shall in no case be lower than the undersecretary and whose acts shall be considered as
that of the permanent representatives: Provided however, That the duly authorized representatives have
no voting right unless authorized in writing,

‘The representatives from the academe, civil society, and other sectors shall possess experience
and training in disciplines related to climate change, disaster tisk reduction, natural tesource
‘management, of coastal management which shall be appointed by the NCC based on the suggestions
provided by the member agencies. ‘They shall serve as members of the NCC until expiration or
termination of theit term of office in such capacities subject for renewal to be decided by the majority
of the members of the NCC and shall perform the duties appurtenant thereto unless they resign or
theie representation is withdrawn by the sector that they represent. Appointment to any vacancy shall
be for the unexpired term of the predecessor.

SEC. 6. Meetings of the National Coordinating Committee. —The NCC shall meet once
every three (3) months, or as often as may be deemed necessary.

SEC. 7. Secretariat. ~The DA and DENR shall provide Secretariat support to the NCC and
shall create a composite team among their bureaus and offices. The DENR shall head the Secretariat
which shall have an administrative control and supervision: Provided That, the DA shall provide the
necessary complementary manpower as may be determined by the NCC.

SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the National Coordinating Committee on ICM. —
‘The NCC shall exercise and perform the following powers and functions:



@) formulate, adopt, institutionalize, and amend, if necessary, the National ICM Framework, in
consultation with other concerned agencies, sectors, and stakeholders, within six (6) months
from the effectivity of this Act;

(b) identify coastal and marine and other resources shared by two or more LGUs, recommend
and provide guidance on mainstreaming ICM into existing local plans and programs through
their respective regional or provincial development councils, and assist the relevant authorities
in resolving conflicts arising from ICM between ot among LGUs;

© undertake baseline and periodic assessment and reporting of the state of coastal and marine
environment and natural resources and the level of socioeconomic development of the
adjacent communities, governance or management interventions, and relevant infrastructures
in place, among others;

@ conduct capacity building programs and activities for national government, LGUs, and
stakeholders, and pursue information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns on
ICM, and develop guidelines for mainstreaming the ICM into the development planning and
investment programming processes of local governments,

© develop guidelines for provinces sharing the same resources and influence for the integrated
‘management, protection, conservation, and restoration of the shared coastal and marine
ecosystems, and reduce or eliminate the impacts of activities originating from upstream and
downstream sources;

(ensure documentation, promotion, and dissemination of leanings and best practices on ICM
implementation;

@ facilitate the establishment of integrated data and monitoring systems using innovative
technologies and develop a national ICM dashboard as the repository of data on ICM;

(h) pursue the mobilization of sustainable financing mechanisms for ICM from both public and
private sectors;

ensure adaptive management to consider new threats and emerging issues arising from changes
in socioeconomic and technological landscape; and

@)_ recommend the issuance or passage of policies or legislations to the appropriate agency or the
legislature.

SEC. 9. Elements of the National ICM Framzwork, ~The implementation of ICM-responsive
plans shall take into account the following elements in line with the ICM principles:

(8) an inter-agency, inter-LGU alliances, multi-sectoral mechanism to coordinate the efforts of
different agencies, sectors, and administrative levels;

(©) peoples’ participation in the formulation and implementation of the National ICM Framework
while upholding and respecting their right to a balanced and healthful ecology, especially those
of the poorest communities and the most vulnerable to climate change and other hazards;

6


(© coastal strategies and action plans that provide a long. term vision and strategy for sustainable
development of the coastal areas; and a fixed-term program of actions specifying responsible
agencies or institutions for addressing priority issues and concems including improving
existing endeavors to protect marine protected areas and other protected areas on or neat.
coastal zones, as defined under R.A. No. 11034

@ public awareness programs to increase the level of understanding of and appreciation for the
coastal and marine resources of the atea; and to promote a shared responsibility among
stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the National ICM Framework;

© mainstreaming the National ICM Framework into the national and local government planning
and socio-economic development programs; and allocation of adequate financial and human
resources for its implementation;

@ capacity building programs to enhance required human resource skills, scientific input to
policy and planning processes; and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with
adopted rules and regulations;

@) integrated environmental monitoring for the purpose of measuring, evaluating, and reporting
the status, progress, and impacts of management programs against established sustainable
development indicators and for use in decision-making, public awareness, and performance
evaluation;

(h) investment opportunities and sustainable financing mechanisms for environmental protection
and improvement; resource conservation; and ecosystem based adaptation and other nature
based solutions;

(disaster risk reduction and management as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation
programs, and vulnerability and risk assessment;

@ knowledge management, research, and development programs in such areas as cartying
capacity, limits to acceptable change, and enhancement of the analytical and predictive value
of scenarios for protecting sustainable futures; and

(8) development of a national coastal greenbelt action plan for the protection of biodiversity and
coastal areas.

‘The National ICM Framework shall provide ditection, support, and guidance to the LGUs and
shall adhere to the principles of sustainable development; ecosystem-based management that focuses
on the interconnectivity of ecosystems and maintaining their health and resiliency to deliver the goods
and services; policy and functional integration, coordination, and adaptive management that guide the
ICM practice. The NCC shall finalize the National ICM Framework within twelve (12) months from
the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. Coordination of ICM Programs, Plans, and Activities at the Regional Level
~ The Regional Development Councils shall mainstream ICM in the formulation of Regional


Development Plans and Priority Investment Programs, among other related documents which shall
be reviewed and approved by the NCC.

SEC. 11. Coordination of ICM Programs, Plans, and Activities at the Provincial Level. ~The
Provincial Development Council (PDC) established under Section 107 (c) of R.A. No. 7160, otherwise
known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”, shall be responsible for the formulation of the ICM
plan at the Provincial level, including the implementation and coordination necessary therefor which
shall be reviewed and approved by the NCC.

In addition to its members, the following offices and sector shall be represented thereto for the
purpose of facilitating the mainstreaming of ICM planning in the formulation of the provincial
development and physical framework plan, among other related documents in line with the ICM
principles:

(a) the Chairperson of the Enviconment Committee of the Sangganian Panlalawigan;

(b) the Provincial Fisheries Office or Office of the Provincial Agriculturist;

(©) the Provincial Tourism Office;

(@ the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer;

(©) the Board Member of Marine Protected Area Networks, where they exist;

(Othe Regional Office of DHSUD; and

@ the private sector.

In cases where two or more provinces share a common resource such as bays, gulfs, river basins,

lakes, watersheds, marine protected areas, marine biodiversity corridors, and upland ecosystems, the
coordination support and assistance for the formulation, establishment, and implementation of the

Inter-Provincial ICM Plan shall be provided by the concerned Regional Development Council
established under Executive Order No. 325, series of 1996.

However, this provision shall not apply to provinces or common resources shared by several
LGUs which have an existing ICM coordinating mechanism at the time of the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 12. Additional Functions of the Provincial Development Council. ~n addition to the
functions provided in Section 109 of R.A. No. 7160, the PDC shall:

a) coordinate the efforts of provinces sharing a resource to address issues that cut across their
political boundaries;

b) coordinate the establishment and consolidation of baseline data on ICM especially in relation
to biodiversity; and

©) resolve conflicts arising from ICM between or among municipalities of cities, or between an
LGU and a body managing a specially administered area within the province: Promided, ‘That

8



boundary disputes between and among the LGUs shall be settled in accordance with Sections
118 and 119 of R.A. No. 7160 and its implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 13. Coordination of ICM Programs, Plans, and Activities at the City and Municipal
Levels. ~The City or Municipal Development Council (CDC or MDC) established pursuant to Section
107 (b) of R.A. No. 7160 shall be responsible for the integration of national ICM strategies within their
respective development plans, land use plans, and other relevant plans, whether highly urbanized city
(HUC), independent component city (ICC), component city, of municipal levels, including the
implementation and coordination necessary therefor which shall be reviewed by the NCC. In addition
to its members, the following offices and sector shall be represented thereto for the purpose of
coordinating the formulation and implementation of the ICM Plan:

@) the chaitperson of the Environment Committee of the Sangguniang Panglungsod or Bayan;

(©) the city or municipal fisheries office or office of the city ot municipal agriculturist;

(©) the city or municipal Tourism Office; and

(@ the private sector.

A position for a City Environment and Natural Officer (CENRO) ot a Municipal Environment
and Natural Officer (MENRO) shall be created or designated for the coordination and monitoring of

the implementation of the ICM-tesponsive Local Climate Action Plans (LCCAPs), CLUP, and CDP.

However, this provision shall not apply to cities or municipalities which have an existing ICM
coordinating mechanism at the time of the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 14. ICM Office. — Each province may establish an ICM Office to act as the secretariat
to the PDC with regard to ICM programs, plans, and activities, and to monitor the implementation
of the Provincial ICM Plan in consonance with the National ICM Framework: Pravided, That where
PENRO is already established it will act as the secretariat to the PDC: Provided Further, ‘That an office
or section under the Provincial Planning and Development Coordination Office focused solely on
matters or tasks relating to ICM may serve as ICM Office. Otherwise, the Provincial Planning and
Development Coordination Office shall serve as the secretariat to the PDC.

Bach LGU shall allocate funds in coordination with the Department of Budget and
Management for the creation of a plantilla position for CENRO or MENRO with the responsibility
to coordinate and monitor the implementation of ICM-responsive LCCAPs, CLUPs, CDPs, and other
related matters at the municipality or city level.

‘The provincial government ENRO shall act as the ICM officer at the provincial level with the
responsibility of coordinating, monitoring, and reporting on the progress of ICM implementation and
other related matters

SEC. 15. Additional Functions of the City or Municipal Development Council -\n addition
to the functions provided in Section 109 of R.A. No. 7160, the CDC or MDC shall:


(@) ensure that the formulation of LCCAPs, CLUPs, CDPs, and Annual Investment Programs
(ATPS) pursuant to Section 14 of R.A. No, 9729 ot the “Climate Change Act of 2009" ave
Buided by the ICM principles and incorporate the elements of ICM planning and shall be
reviewed and approved by the appropriate government agencies or committees;

©) coordinate the efforts and the implementation of ICM-responsive local plans among relevant
barangay to address issues that cut across their boundaties;

© coordinate the establishment and consolidation of baseline data on ICM especially in relation
to biodiversity and ecosystems goods and services;

(©) resolve conflicts arising from ICM between or among barangays or between a barangay and a
specially managed or administered area within the city ot municipality.

SEC. 16. Representation of Other Agencies and Stakeholders. ~Local government units
may consider the representation in theie respective development councils of other national agencies
and stakeholder groups in ICM planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting processes, as
they may deem necessary.

SEC. 17. Assistance from LGUs and National Agencies. ~The local development
councils may call upon any local official or any official of national agencies or offices within the 1.GU
to assist in the formulation of local CM-responsive local plans.

In providing technical assistance and other forms of support related to coastal management
and the implementation of development plans, national govemment agencies shall give priotity to
fifth: and sixth-class municipalities and other LGUs with approved or existing ICM-responsive local
plans.

SEC. 18. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting of ICM Framework. The NCC shall
coordinate the preparation, consolidation, and submission of an initial State of the Coasts Report, one
(1) year after the effectivity of this Act, based on a monitoring and evaluation mechanism that will be
developed to teack the progress of the country’s ICM implementation, Fivery five (5) years thereafter,
the NCC shall coordinate the preparation, consolidation, and submission to the President of the State
pasts Report on the implementation of the local ICM-responsive local plans such as LCCAPs,
s,and CDPs, in line with the National ICM Framework. The LGUs shall submit theie respective
Progress reports on the implementation of theit respective ICM-responsive local plans to the NCI

National government agencies which are members of the NCC shall update their existing
‘monitoring and assessment mechanisms relevant to ICM to ensure compliance of the LGUs.

SEC. 19. ICM Best Practices. ~The National ICM Framework and local ICM plans shall
Promote the application of best learnings which include the following:

(@) coastal and marine use classification, marine spatial planning, and harmonization of
comprehensive land and water use plan as management tools;

(b) sustainable fisheries and conservation of living resources;

10


(© protection and rehabilitation of corel reefs, mangroves, seagrass, estuaries, and other
habitats, particularly through establishment of marine protected areas, nature reserves,
and sanctuaries;

(@) development of management approaches for the conservation of upland watershed,
catchment areas, and river basins;

(©) integrated waste management, including sewage and solid, hazardous, toxic, and other
wastes by major sources;

(natural and man-made hazards management;

(® water use and supply management,

(®)_ payment for ecosystem services and equitable allocation of costs and benefits;

@ integrated and bay wide law enforcement;

@) disaster risk reduction and management in coastal areas;

(K) climate change adaptation and mitigation in coastal arcas;

community led natural resource management;

(m) recognition of indigenous peoples’ concems;

(n) integrated management of port safety, health, security and environment protection; and

(0) involvement of the private sector or business sector as a partner in ICM.

SEC. 20. Incentives. ~'The NCC shall develop a national incentive and recognition system
to encourage and motivate the LGUs to diligently and efficiently implement, and monitor their ICM-
responsive local plans.

In addition to the criteria provided in Section 7 of R.A. No. 11292, otherwise known as “The
Seal of Good Local Governance Act of 2019”, the LGU may be granted the Seal of the Good Local
Governance if its exemplarily implemented and sustained the ICM-responsive local plans.

“The details of the recognition and reward system shall be provided in the implementing rules
and regulations of this Act.

Sec. 21. Scientific Advisory Group. “The NCC shall establish a National Scientific Advisory
Group to ensure that ICM interventions have sound scientific basis.

‘The Scientific Advisory Group shall provide advice to the LGUs in relation to technical

documents, new scientific developments and policies in climate science and coastal management, and
in achieving their environmental goals.

HW


It shall be composed of the following

@) a representative from the academe who specializes in ICM ot any related discipline;
(©) a representative from the DOST;

(©) a representative from the DENR;

(@) a representative from the BFAR;

(© a representative from the PAMS or other professional society related to natural resource
‘management and coastal management; and

©) a representative from the PCG’s Marine Science Investigation Force.

‘The Scientific Advisory Committee shall also convene to serve as the experts in discussing and
advising on the technical and science-based issues related to Article IIT of this Act

SEC. 22. Role of National Government Agencies. ~ All concerned national agencies shall
support the implementation of the National ICM Framework and ICM-tesponsive local plans, and
Promote ICM best learnings that fall within theit respective mandates. They shall identify, prepare,
and provide policy guidance and technical resource assistance to the DENR, the development
councils, and the I.GUs in the implementation of the National ICM Framework and ICM-responsive
‘ocal plans and in the enforcement of relevant coastal and marine policies and regulations; and regional
and international commitments or treaties. These agencies shall directly consult with concemed | GUs
in the development and implementation of the National ICM Framework and ICM-responsive local
plans affecting coastal and marine areas in their respective localities.

All government contracts entered into and permits issued by the government such as
foreshore lease agreements, forest management agreements, special land use permits, and mining
permits shall be entered into of issued by the government and its instrumentalities in conformity with
the National ICM Framework and ICM-tesponsive local plans.

Sec. 23. Specially Managed or Administered Areas, ~ Specially managed ot administered
areas such as river basins, Water Quality Management Areas (WQMAs) established under R.A. No.
9275, otherwise known as the “Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004”, special economic and freeport
zones, and protected areas, whether established under R.A. No. 11038 or by virtue of an ordinance,
shall prepare their management plans in consonance with the ICM National Framework and relevant
ICM-responsive local plans. ‘Their management plans shall incorporate ICM principles and best

Practices taking into account the interlinkages between and among associated watersheds and
wetlands.

Sec. 24. Review of Existing ICM or Related Programs and Plans. ~ Provinces, cities,
municipalities, especially managed or administered areas such as special economic zones of freeport
zones, bays, lakes or marine protected areas (MPAs) shall review, revise, reconcile, and harmonize
their existing ICM or related programs or plans based on the National ICM Framework within three
@) years from the effectivity of this Act. Actual use shall be preferred over future or reserve use:
Provided, That all existing locational clearances and zoning permits issued by the LGUs prior to the

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effectivity of this Act shall remain valid pending review of existing programs and plans and zoning
ordinances (ZOs), and they shall not be invalidated because of the new and approved programs and
plans and ZOs which determined proper location in a different coastal use zoning area: Provided, further,
‘That appropriate measures shall be adopted by the LGU concerned, the landowner, and the developer
in the event that any existing structure and facility are found to be properly covered by a different
coastal use zoning category in the areas where they are currently located: Provided, finalh, That existing
structures and facilities within extremely hazardous and high risk danger zones which cannot be
addressed by any mitigating or protective measures shall be required to relocate.

Sec. 25. Role of LGUs. ~ All LGUs shall act as the frontline agencies in the formulation,
planning, and implementation of ICM programs in their respective municipal waters. ‘The local ICM
Plan shall be supportive of and compliant with the National ICM Framework and shall be prepared
in consultation with the stakeholders. ‘Ihe LGUs shall regularly update theic ICM-responsive
LCCAPs, CLUPs, and CDPs to reflect emerging needs, and changing social, economic, and
environmental conditions. The LGUs shall also ensure that theit annual work and investment plans
are aligned based on theit ICM-responsive LCCAPs, CLUPs, and CDPs. The LGUs shall furnish the
NCC their respective ICM-responsive local plans and all subsequent amendments, modifications, and
revisions thereto. LGUs shall mobilize and allocate the necessary personnel, resources, and logistics
to effectively implement their respective ICM-responsive local plans. Barangays shall be directly
involved with municipal and city governments in prioritizing coastal issues and identifying and
implementing solutions. Municipal and city governments shall consider ICM as one of theit priority
programs.

Provincial governments shall provide technical assistance, enforcement, and information
‘management in support of Municipal and City ICM-responsive plans. Inter-LLGU collaboration shall
be encouraged in the conduct of activities related to protecting the country’s coastal and marine
resources

Sec. 26. Roles of Civil Society and the Private Sector. - In the development and
implementation of the ICM program, the NGOs, civic organizations, people’s organizations, the
academe, the private sector, and other concemed stakeholder groups shall be engaged in activities
such as planning, community organizing, research, technology transfer, information sharing,
investment, training programs, and monitoring; and evaluation, response, and feedback systems.

Sec. 27. Supporting Activities. ~The following activities shall be undertaken in support of
the implementation of ICM programs:

a) ICM Education ~The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) shall integrate the concept and basic principles of ICM into the primary,
secondary, and tertiary education curricula, as well as in the textbooks, primers and other
educational materials. ‘The DOST shall, likewise, include integrated coastal management,
tropical marine ecosystem management, and other related studies in their scholarship
programs for graduate studies;

b) ICM Training Program for LGUs ~ The DENR and the DILG, through the Local
Government Academy, shall develop and provide ICM training programs for LGUs. For this,
purpose, LGUs may allocate funds for scholarships on tertiary and graduate courses relating
to ICM or source funds for such scholarships other than LGU funds;

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©) Environmental and Natural Resource Accounting and Valuation for ICM Planning ~ ‘The
NEDA and the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) shall incorporate coastal and
marine resource accounting as well as estimates of their carrying capacity in the national and
tegional accounts;

) Coastal and Marine Enviconmental Information Management System — ‘The DENR shall
oversee the establishment and maintenance of a coastal and marine environmental information
‘management system and network, in collaboration with other concerned national government
agencies, institutions, LGUs, civil society organizations and other academic institutions. The
DENR shall promote the documentation and information dissemination of good practices as
well as initiate replication and scaling up of ICM programs in the country. ‘The concemed
agencies, however, shall review the coastal and marine data prior to theie public dissemination

CHAPTER III
NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT ACTION PLAN

Sec. 28. National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan. ~The NCC shall identify and convene
all national government agencies responsible for foreshore management, mangrove and beach forest
Protection and utilization, coastal land and sea-use planning, coastal tourism development, social
welfare of coastal communities, and other relevant mandates, to prepare an integrated National
Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (NCGAP),

‘The NCGAP shall, at the minimum, contain the following:

(@ Spatial representation, or if feasible, quick or rapid inventory of the status of coastlines
and foreshores, including the status of mangroves, beach forests, settlements, structures
and fishponds within 100 meters therein;

(©) Assessment of priority area to be declared as coastal greenbelts, for each coastal province,
city and municipality, to protect by means of mangroves and beach forests, based on
vulnerability to storm surges, waves, tsunami and the like. ‘The action plan shall indicate
that the assessment of priority areas shall be completed within twelve (12) months from
the adoption of the NCGAP;

(©) Designation of priority areas for coastal greenbelts that are already included as either as a
protected area under K.A. No. 11038 of as a fish refuge or sanctuary under R.A. No.
10654 as amended, otherwise known as “The Philippine Fisheries Code of ‘The
Philippines”, or as a local marine protected area as may be declared by municipalities and
cities through ordinances. The designation shall be completed within six (6) months from
the completion of the assessment. Designation shall also be done through a proposal to
the appropriate agency, municipality or city as may be deemed necessary. If an arca is
designated as a priority area, no structure shall be allowed therein unless it is approved by
the DENR or DA through the BEAR;

(@) Operational plan for the rehabilitation, reforestation, or afforestation of designated
Priority coastal greenbelts with ecologically appropriate mangrove and beach forest
Species, not less than 100 meters minimum target area of twenty percent (20%) of the

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designated priority areas in the first five (5) years for maximum protection of the most
vulnerable communities in the city or municipality. The remaining priority areas must be
completed within ten (10) years, the designation of the priority area;

(©) Operational Plan for the reversion of all abandoned fishponds to mangroves through
natural regeneration ot replanting with locally appropriate species. ‘The NCGAP shall
indicate that the identification and recovery of possession from the delinquent fishpond
lease agreement holders shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the adoption
thereof. All fishpond areas to be reverted to mangroves shall form part of the minimum
target for the first year of implementation of the NCGAP: Provided, That the reversion
shall be in accordance with R.A. No. 8550, as amended by R.A. No. 10654, as well as
existing rules and regulations;

(Operational Plan for the removal of illegal structures such as breakwaters, permanent
residential /commercial structures, and the like, in the identified priority coastal greenbelts
‘The NCGAP shall indicate that the declaration of and notice to persons responsible for
removal of illegal structures shall be completed within twelve (12) months thereof. The
removal of illegal structures in and start of rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation of
these areas shall form part of the minimum target for the first year of implementation of
the NCGAP; and

Monitoring and evaluation plan, with quantitative and qualitative targets consistent with
1% q q ge
@, ©, and () above, appropriate indicators and reasonable means of verification. ‘The
plan shall become an integrated part of the NCGAP-tesponsive LCCAP.

Sec. 29. Designated Arcas for Coasta! Greenbelt. — In designating areas for coastal
greenbelts, landscape types will be classified into natural, rural and urban areas including mangrove
areas, areas previously vegetated with mangroves, or mangrove areas converted into fishponds and
other uses.

Sec. 30. Implementation of the NCGAP. ~ In addition to the functions of the NCC on
ICM in Section 5 of this Act, the NCC shall take the lead in implementing the components of the
NCGAP.

‘The DHSUD shall provide appropriation for the relocation of the families ot individuals who
will be affected by the designated areas. The relocation of the affected families or individuals shall be
included in the Local Shelter Plan of the LGUs in accordance with R.A. No. 7160 and R.A. No. 7279,
otherwise known as “Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992”, as amended by R.A. No. 10884.

Other agencies that participated in the preparation of the NCGAP-responsive LCCAP shall
implement theit commitments thereto. The actions required of the NCC are immediately executable
based on the agreed NCGAP- responsive LCCAP, and on NCC members existing mandates, programs
or budgets that are aligned with the action plan, without need for formulating implementing guidelines,
rules and regulations for this Act.

All existing laws, rules, and regulations providing protection to coastlines, foreshores, and
psiority areas shall remain in full force and effect, and shall supplement the provisions of this Act
unless otherwise terminated, modified or amended.

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See. 31. Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan. — Fach coastal municipality and city in the
identified priority coastal greenbelt areas shall prepare a Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan
(CGAP) which shall be integrated with the LCCAP, investment program, or other local
government's development plans, for the facilitation of the implementation of mandated actions in
the NCGAP. The roles of the municipality or city, as provided in the local LCGAP-responsive LCCAP
shall be to:

(@) Facilitate the implementation of the mandates of the national agencies under Section 29, by
providing local data and other supporting measures;

(©) Implement complimentary programs to assist the local communities and local businesses that
are affected by the actions under Section 29, such as relocation sites with basic services such
as livelihood and transportation programs, zoning or re-zoning of the priority coastal greenbelt
areas, as appropriate, and the like;

(©) Provide the actual inventory of affected families in Designated Areas and to ensure that a just
and humane process of relocation done;

@) Lead in the actual implementation of rehabilitation, reforestation and afforestation, through
the coastal barangays;

(©) Integrate the identified coastal greenbelts ia the LCCAP;
(© Provide data and qualitative feedback to the Key Implementing Agencies, as may be relevant.

‘The provincial government shall provide the technical and budgetary support to component
coastal cities and municipalities sharing a common priority coastal greenbelt area.

‘The CCC shall evaluate, review, and assess the LCGAP-responsive LCCAP submitted by the
LGUs which must be consistent with Section 8 and Section 29 of this Act on the elements of the
National ICM Framework and National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan. The CCC shall also make the
necessary recommendations for compliance by the LGUs on matters pertaining thereto.

CHAPTER IV
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 32. Prohibited Acts. —In addition to the acts and omissions prohibited under existing
environmental laws, the following shall constitute prohibited acts:

@) In addition to the penalties provided under existing law, any person who obstructs the
DENR in the removal of illegal structures, or DA through the BFAR in the process of
reversion of abandoned fishponds, shall be liable to that agency for an administrative fine
of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP50,000) per day that the agency is prevented from performing
its function,

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(b) No structures shall be built within the identified coastal greenbelts without a permit from
DENR or DA through the BFAR, consistent with their mandates. Any person who violates
this prohibition shall be liable to the agency for an administrative fine of Fifty ‘Thousand
Pesos (PhP50,000) per day from the time the structure was built until its removal

© Any violation of the provisions of this Act, including the violations of the implementing
rules and regulations which have been duly promulgated and published in accordance with
Section 37 of this Act, shall be subject to an administrative fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos
(PhP50,000) upon any person or entity found guilty thereof.

Proceeds from the administrative fines under this Section shall be retained by the agency
imposing such fines and used exclusively for the implementation of its mandate under this Act

SEC. 33. Appropriations. — All concerned government agencies and LGUs shall allocate
from their annual appropriations adequate funds for the implementation of the ICM-responsive
LCCAP, CLUP, and CDP. In subsequent budget proposals, the concerned offices and units shall
appropriate funds for program or project development and implementation including continuing ICM
capacity building, training, and education. LGUs shall pool their resources in establishing inte-LGU
alliances in the management of shared resources such as bays, gulfs, lakes, rivers, watersheds, marine
biodiversity corridors, and marine protected area networks within theic jurisdiction.

SEC. 34. Orher Funding Options. ~"Uhe NCC, the local development councils, the LGUs,
and the national government agencies may source local and international grants, bequests, and
donations in support of ICM implementation.

‘The Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, the People's
Credit and Finance Corporation, and other relevant government financial institutions shall formulate
and identify loan and financing mechanisms that will be made available to support local ICM-
responsive programs, including alternative livelihood projects for small-scale fisherfolks and
cooperatives

SEC. 35. Tax exemption. — All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions
made to the Nt the local development councils, the LGUs, the DA and the DENR to be used
actually, directly, and exclusively for the implementation of the ICM shall be exempted from donor's
tax and shall be allowed as deduction from the gross income for purposes of computing the taxable
income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of
1997, as amended.

SEC. 36. Implementing Rules and Regulations, ~The DA, DENR and CCC, in
consultation with concemed agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations of this Act within one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 37. Annual Report. ~The NCC shall submit an annual report to the Congress and the
Office of the President on its compliance with its functions under this Act, the implementation of the
ICM Framework, and the State of the Coasts Report on or before March 30 of every year following,
the effectivity of this Act.

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SEC. 38. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. — There is hereby created a Joint
Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) to monitor the implementation of this Act and to
review the implementing rules and regulations promulgated by the DA, DENR and CCC for a
period not exceeding five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act. The Committee shall be
composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) Representatives to be appointed by the Senate
President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The Oversight
Committee shall be co-chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committee on Environment, Natural
Resources and Climate Change of the Senate and the Committee on Climate Change of the
House of Representatives.

‘The secretariat of the JCOC shall be drawn from existing personnel of the Senate Committee
on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change and Committee on Climate Change of the
House of Representatives.

SEC. 39. Separability Clause. — If any of the sections or provisions of this Act is held invalid,
all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid,

SEC. 40. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, orders, resolutions, instructions, rules
and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 41. Non-impairment Clause. — Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish,
impair, ot repeal the prohibited acts under existing laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
ordinances, rules and regulations, and other issuances, including R.A. No. 11038 and R.A. No. 8550,
as amended by R.A. No. 10654.

SEC. 42. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gasette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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