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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
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& f{iu of U)r A c-m a rf
19 
SEP 30 P4 :Q1
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT ACTION PLAN, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. 
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian 
Affairs (UN-OCHA), an average of twenty two (22) tropical cyclones enter the 
Philippine Area of Responsibility of which around six (6) to seven (7) cause 
significant damage. Thus, coastal communities become vulnerable to such 
tropical storms due their natural exposure and lack of resources for preparation 
and recovery.
Studies from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) 
show that coastal forests and mangroves are helpful in mitigating cyclone 
damages and are affordable than artificial sea defenses which, in many cases, 
were found to be ineffective.
This proposed measure seeks to establish the National Coastal Greenbelt 
Program to reduce the impacts of cyclones in the coastal communities of the 
country with an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective initiative.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES NAN( 
Senator
S. BIN AY


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
^
1 9 S£P30 P4 ••Oj
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT ACTION PLAN 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSE
/t enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "National Coastal 
Greenbelt Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  The State shall ensure the protection of the 
rights of the people to a healthful and balanced ecology. Consistent with the 
Climate Change Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 9729), as amended by Republic 
Act No. 10174, the State shall encourage the participation of the national 
government, local governments, businesses, nongovernment organizations, local 
communities and the public to prevent and reduce the adverse impacts of 
climate change. The State shall also recognize that climate change and disaster 
risk reduction and management are closely interrelated. The State shall 
incorporate a gender-sensitive, pro-children and pro-poor perspective in all plans 
of disaster risk reduction and management. These principles shall be further 
integrated into climate change programs and initiatives. Taking into account the 
effects of climate change and the need to conserve and develop the conditions of 
our environment, the State shall take appropriate measures to protect the lives 
and property of the people from the impacts in coastal areas of typhoons, 
tsunamis and similar natural events.


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mean:
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Act, the following terms shall
(a) "Coastal greenbelts" are strips of natural or planted coastal 
vegetation, stretching at least one hundred (100) meters in 
width from the sea towards land, primarily of mangrove 
and beach forest species, which are designed to prevent 
coastal erosion, and mitigate the adverse impacts of natural 
coastal hazards on human lives and property;
(b) "Designated area for coastal greenbelts" are site-specific 
stretches of vegetation in the coastal zone, defined in 
relation to risk factors and vulnerability to coastal hazards, 
and reserved for protection and maintenance under the 
National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan. The area may 
undergo rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation with 
locally 
appropriate 
species. 
Designated 
areas 
with 
abandoned fishponds require the reversion of these 
fishponds to mangroves through natural regeneration or 
replanting with locally appropriate species. Designated 
areas 
with 
illegal 
structures 
(such 
as 
breakwaters, 
permanent residential/commercial structures, and the like) 
require removal of such structures.
(c) 
National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan" (NCGAP) is the 
operational plan that shall serve as the guide for the Local 
Greenbelt Action 
Plan (LCGAP). It shall contain the
implementing guidelines provided for in Section 4 of this 
Act.
(d) "Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan" (LCGAP) is the local 
action plan that shall be based on the NCGAP. It shall


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contain 
the 
specific 
goals 
and 
targets 
for 
the 
implementation of the program set in the NCGAP.
Sec. 4. National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan {NCGAP}. -  The Climate 
Change Commission shall, within six (6) months, identify and convene all 
national 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:
(a) Spatial representation, or if feasible, quick/rapid inventory 
of the status of coastlines and foreshores, including the 
status of mangroves, beach forests, settlements, structures 
and fishponds within one hundred (100) meters therein;
(b) Assessment of priority areas 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 with twelve (12) 
months from the adoption of the NCGAP;
(c) Designation of priority areas for coastal greenbelts that are 
already included as either a protected area under the 
National Integrated Protected Areas System (Republic Act 
No. 7586), or as a fish refuge or sanctuary under the 
Fisheries Code of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8550), 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
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the completion of the assessment. Designation shall be 
done through the proposal of the appropriate agency, 
municipality or city as may be deemed necessary. If an 
area is designated as a priority area, no structure shall be 
allowed in said area 
unless it is approved by the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 
or Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), as 
may be appropriate;
(d) Operational Plan for the rehabilitation, reforestation or 
afforestation of designated priority coastal greenbelts with 
ecologically 
appropriate 
mangrove 
and 
beach 
forest 
species, not less than one hundred (100) meters in width. 
Existing forest or plantations greater than the minimum 
width shall not be reduced. The program for rehabilitation, 
reforestation or afforestation shall be community-based, 
long-term and implemented through the municipality or city 
government. The Operational Plan shall indicate that the 
program for rehabilitation, reforestation and afforestation 
must cover a minimum target area of twenty percent (20%) 
of the 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 of the designated of the 
priority area;
(e) Operational Plan for the reversion of all abandoned 
fishponds to mangroves through natural regeneration or 
replanting with locally appropriate species. The NCGAP shall 
indicate that the identification and recovery of possession 
from delinquent fishpond lease agreement holders shall be 
completed within twelve (12) months from the adoption
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thereof. All fishpond areas to be reverted to mangroves 
shall form part of the minimum target for the first year of 
implementation of the Action Plan;
(f) 
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 
from 
the 
start 
of 
rehabilitation, 
reforestation 
or 
afforestation of these areas shall form part of the minimum
target for the first year of implementation of the Action 
Plan;
(g) Monitoring and evaluation plan, with quantitative and 
qualitative targets consistent with subparagraphs (d), (e) 
and 
(f) 
of this 
Section, 
appropriate 
indicators 
and 
reasonable means of verification. The plan shall become an 
integrated part of the Action Plan and Annual Report to 
Congress.
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) shall be responsible for
consolidating the NCGAP not later than twelve (12) months from the effectivity of 
this Act.
Sec. 5. Key Implementing Agencies. -  The following agencies shall take 
the lead in implementing components of the Program and Action Plan that are 
relevant to their mandates:
(a) The Climate Change Commission (CCC) shall be responsible 
for the congregation of relevant government agencies, 
facilitation of public participation of the NCGAP, integration 
of the NCGAP into the Local Action Plans including the
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power of approving putting up necessary structures in the 
Designated Areas, and the preparation of the integrated 
report to Congress especially with regard to the expenditure 
of the appropriation and other pertinent matters under 
Section 8 of this Act;
(b) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR), through its relevant offices, shall be responsible for
(a)/ (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 4 of this Act in line 
with existing laws and mandates, and it shall provide the 
CCC all relevant information to aid in the monitoring and 
evaluation of the NCGAP. In particular, the DENR shall 
identify the Designated Areas that will need to be 
expropriated by the government and to recommend the 
expropriation plan to the CCC;
(c) The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of 
the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall coordinate with 
the DENR for (e) in Section 4 above or the Operational Plan 
that provides for the reversion of all abandoned fishponds 
to mangroves through natural regeneration or replanting 
with locally appropriate species in line with existing laws 
and mandate, and it shall provide the CCC all relevant 
information to aid in the monitoring and evaluation of the 
NCGAP;
(d) The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 
through its relevant offices, shall provide technical guidance 
for provinces, cities and municipalities to develop Local 
Coastal Greenbelt Action Plans, design and implement 
community-based 
and 
ecologically 
appropriate 
rehabilitation, reforestation and afforestation programs, and 
monitor and evaluate their programs. In particular, the
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Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) shall coordinate with 
the Local Government Unit (LGU) in implementing the 
action plans.
In 
addition, 
the 
National 
Housing Authority 
(NHA) 
shall 
provide 
appropriation for the relocation of the families or individuals who will be affected 
by the Designated Areas. The other agencies that participated in the preparation 
of the Action Plan shall implement their commitments, as provided therein. The 
actions required of implementing agencies are immediately executable, based on 
the agreed National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan, and on their existing 
mandates, programs and budgets that are aligned with the Action Plan, without 
need for formulating implementing guidelines, rules and regulations for this Act.
Sec. 6. National Technical Advisory Committee. -  The Climate Change
Commission shall convene a National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) 
composed of:
(a) A technical 
representative from the Climate Change 
Commission (CCC);
(b) A 
technical 
representative 
from 
the 
Department 
of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
(c) A technical representative from the Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources (BEAR);
(d) Two (2) known experts in mangrove and beach forest 
ecosystems, oceanography or other related disciplines; and
(e) A representative from a non-government organization or a 
people's 
organization 
that 
demonstrates 
capacity 
to 
promote the public interest and with identifiable leadership, 
membership and structure that has been actively involved 
in mangrove research and with has produced actual 
publication in mangrove research as among the criteria that 
shall be set by the DENR, BFAR and CCC.
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The National Technical Advisory Committee shall provide scientific 
guidance in the design, implementation and evaluation of actions under the 
NCGAP. The experts shall serve in the Committee without compensation, but 
may be reimbursed for basic expenses to attend meetings and prepare technical 
reports.
Sec. 7. Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan, -  Each coastal municipality 
and city in the identified priority coastal greenbelt areas in the Action Plan shall 
prepare a Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (LCGAP) to facilitate the 
implementation of mandated actions in the NCGAP. The roles of the municipality 
or city, as provided in the local LCGAP shall be to:
(a) Facilitate the implementation of the mandates of the 
national agencies under Section 4, by providing local data 
and other supporting measures;
(b) Implement 
complementary 
programs 
to 
assist 
local 
communities and local businesses that are affected by the 
actions under Section 4, 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;'
(c) Provide the actual 
inventory of affected families in 
Designated Areas and to ensure that a just and humane 
process of relocation is done;
(d) Lead 
in 
the 
actual 
implementation 
of rehabilitation, 
reforestation 
and 
afforestation, 
through 
the 
coastal 
barangays;
(e) Integrate 
the 
identified 
coastal 
greenbelts 
in 
the 
Comprehensive Land-Use Plan; and
(f) 
Provide 
data 
and 
qualitative 
feedback 
to 
the 
Key 
Implementing Agencies as may be relevant.
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The provincial government shall provide technical and budgetary support 
to component coastal cities and municipalities, and ensure consistency across 
contiguous cities and municipalities sharing a common priority coastal greenbelt 
area.
Sec. 8. Enforcement Actions. -
(a) In addition to the penalties provided under existing iaw, 
any person who obstructs the DENR in the removai of 
iliegal structures, or the BFAR in the process of reversion of 
abandoned fishponds, shall be liable to that agency for an 
administrative fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) per 
day that the agency is prevented from performing its 
function.
(b) No structures shall be built within the identified coastai 
greenbelts without a permit from the DENR or 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 (P50,000.00) per 
day from the time the structure was built until its removal.
(c) Proceeds from 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.
(d) Legai actions filed in the exercise of rights and enforcement 
of obligations under this Act shall be covered by the Rules 
of Procedures for Environmental Cases.
Sec. 9. Annual Report to Congress. -  The Key Implementing Agencies 
shall report to Congress on their progress in meeting the quantitative and 
qualitative targets under the Action Plan for each fiscal year. The reports shall be
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consolidated by the Climate Change Commission for presentation to the 
appropriate Committee in Congress at a meeting called for the purpose.
Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 11. Appropriations. -  The Key Implementing Agencies shall draw 
from their existing programs and budgets to implement their responsibilities 
under the Action Plan, and through the People's Survival Fund, where 
appropriate, subject to additional funding in the annual national appropriations, 
to meet the targets agreed in the Action Plan.
Sec. 12. Separability Clause. -  Should any provision of this Act be declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other 
provisions of this Act.
Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and 
regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 14. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation.
Approved,
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