SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
·14 
MAR 26 P 4 :33 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2179 
RECEIVED H'I':-r-
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno"Bam" A. Aquino IV. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Last year, super-typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit Eastern Visayas and left thousands 
of people dead. Millions more became homeless and now, are struggling to cope with 
the loss of loved ones, life savings and livelihood. 
Previous storms, Ondoy, Pablo and Sendong have wrought havoc to other cities 
and provinces in the past half decade, crippling the economic and social development of 
the Filipino people. The Philippines is battered by more than 20 typhoons a year, with 
an increasing number in the super-typhoon category. 
These could bring as much 
damage as Yolanda. The losses attributed were caused by storm surges and strong 
winds coming from the open ocean. In the age of global climate change, this has 
unfortunately become the new normal. 
The poor coastal communities' natural exposure to storm surges and lack of 
resources for preparation and recovery make them most vulnerable. 
It is imperative to think of innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient ways for 
Filipinos to protect themselves, t~eir properties and communities from the devastating 
impacts of natural disasters. 
The Philippines is taking great strides in disaster preparedness. Recent laws 
created the Climate Change Commission (R.A. No. 9729) and strengthened the National 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (R.A. No. 10121). In addition, the 
People's Survival Fund (R.A. No. 10174) was created to support adaptation activities of 
local governments and communities to increase their resilience. 
Disaster preparedness comprises a whole suite of items, such as early warning 
systems, 
elevated 
shelters, 
hard 
engineering 
(e.g., 
breakwaters) 
and 
green 
engineering/infrastructure. 
An establishment of greenbelts of mangroves and beach forestsalong coastlines 
is a proven green engineering intervention. As the Philippines' 36,000 km coastline is 
among the longest in the world, coastal greenbeltseffectively mitigate the damaging 
impacts of waves and storm surges. Some of the scientifically proven benefits are: 
• 
Wave height of wind and swell waves can be reduced by 13-66% over 100m of 
mangroves; 
• 
Storm surge attenuation of 5-50 cm.1 per kilometer width of mangroves; 
• 
Surface wind waves can be reduced by more than 75% over one kilometer of 
mangroves; 
, • 
50% reduction in storm surges by a 7-km band of mangroves. 
1 


Furthermore, coastal forests can reduce the force, depth and velocity of a 
tsunami, lessening damage to property and reducing loss of life. 
Coastal greenbelts are also cost-effective for disaster preparedness in the long term. 
The total valuation of mangroves is estimated at US$l4,000-l6,000 per hectare, of 
which about 80% is for coastal protection value. The cost of establishing coastal 
greenbelts to protect against storm surge and tsunamiwould only be a fraction of the 
damages that could be brought by the yearly battering of typhoons. 
A number of existing laws, policies and regulations on mangroves have been 
issued over the years resulting in a fragmented and conflicting policy environment. This 
bill aims to come up with a strategic program to rationalize the development of 
mangroves and beach forests for coastal protection; it is anchored on a comprehensive 
policy framework that addresses the fragmented approach in the past. 
Establishing the National Coastal Greenbelt Program shall provide the agency 
mandates, funding, and general guiding principles for implementing a science-based and· 
cost-effective 
program. 
The 
proposed 
National Greenbelt 
Program 
mandates 
establishment of lOO-meter protection zones, initially for the Eastern Pacific seaboard, 
where typhoons make landfall.This Program can also reap added benefits.The 
establishment of science-based coastal greenbelts is expected to protect biodiversity, 
improve fisheries productivity, and enhance the tourism and livelihood potential of the 
area. Transforming vulnerable coastal villages into highly resilient and sustainable 
communities is a step towards a nation that is inclusive for all. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~ 
~t-f'N' 
Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV 
2 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
'14 
MAR 26 P 4 :33 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2179 
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno"Bam" A. Aquino IV 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT PROGRAM, PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House oj Representatives oj the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION l.-Title.- This Act shall be known as the "National Coastal Greenbelt Act 
2 
of 2014." 
3 
SEC. 2. Policy.-The State shall ensure the protection of the rights of the people to 
4 
a healthful and balanced ecology. Consistent with the Climate Change Act of 2009 (R.A. 
5 
No. 9729), as amended by R.A. No. 10174, the State shall encourage the participation of 
6 
the national government, local governments, businesses, nongovernment organizations, 
7 
local communities and the public to prevent and reduce the adverse impacts of climate 
8 
change. The State shall also recognize that climate change and disaster risk reduction 
9 
and management are closely interrelated. The State shall incorporate a gender-
10 
sensitive, pro-children and pro-poor perspective in all plans of disaster risk reduction 
11 
and management. These principles shall be further integrated into climate change 
12 
programs and initiatives. Taking into account the effects of climate change and the need 
13 
to conserve and develop the conditions of our environment, the State shall take 
14 
appropriate measures to protect the lives and property of the people from the impacts 
15 
in coastal areas oftyphoons, tsunamis and similar natural events. 
16 
SECTION 3.-Definition of Terms. 
17 . 
a. Coastal greenbelts- a strip of natural or planted coastal vegetation, stretching 
18 
at least 100 meters in width from the sea towards land,primarily of 
19 
mangrove and beach forest species,which are designed to prevent coastal 
20 
erosion, and mitigate the adverse impacts of natural coastal hazards on 
21 
human lives and property. 
22 
b. Designatedarea for coastal greenbelts - site specific stretch of vegetation in 
23 
the coastal zone, defined in relation to risk factors and vulnerability to 
24 
coastal hazards,and reserved for protection and maintenance underthe the 
25 
National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan. The area may undergo rehabilitation, 
26 
reforestation or afforestation with locally appropriate species. Designated 
3 


1 
areas with abandoned fishponds require the reversion of these fishponds to 
2 
mangrovesthrough 
natural 
regeneration 
or 
replanting 
with 
locally 
3 
appropriate species. Designated areas with illegal structures (such as 
4 
breakwaters, permanent residential/commercial structures, and the like) 
5 
require removal of such structures. 
6 
c. 
National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (NCGAP)- the operational plan that 
7 
shall serve as the guide for the Local Greenbelt Action Plan (LCGAP). It shall 
8 
contain the implementing guidelines on how to go about Section 4 of this 
9 
Act. 
10 
d. Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (LCGAP)- the local action plan shall be 
11 
based on the NCGAP. It shall contain the specific goals and targets for the 
12 
implementation ofthe program set in the NCGAP. 
13 
SECTION 4.-National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (NCGAPj.The Climate 
14 
Change Commission shall, within six (6) months, identify and convene all national 
15 
agencies responsible for foreshore management, mangrove and beach forestprotection 
16 
and utilization, coastal land and sea-use planning,coastal tourism development, SOCial 
17 
welfare of coastal communities, and other relevant mandates, to prepare an integrated 
18 
National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (NCGAP). 
19 
The NCGAP shall, at the minimum, contain the following: 
20 
a. Spatial representation, or if feasible,quick/rapid inventoryof the status of 
21 
coastlines and foreshores, including the status of mangroves, beach forests, 
22 
settlements, structures and fishponds within 100 meters therein; 
23 
b. Assessment of priority areas to be declared as coastal greenbelts, for each 
24 
coastal province, city and municipalitY,to protect by means of mangroves and 
25 
beach forests, based on vulnerability to storm surges, waves, tsunami and 
26 
the like. The Action Plan shall indicate that the assessment of priority areas 
27 
shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the adoption of the 
28 
NCGAP; 
29 
c. 
Designation of priority areas for coastal greenbeltsthat are already included 
30 
as either a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas 
31 
System (R.A. No. 7586), or as a fish refuge or sanctuary under the Fisheries 
32 
Code of 1998 (R.A. No. 8550), or as a local marine protected area as may be 
33 
declared by municipalities and cities through ordinances. The designation 
34 
shall be completed within six (6) months from the completion of the 
35 
assessment. Designation shall also be done through a proposal to the 
36 
appropriate agency, municipality or city as may be deemed necessary. If an 
37 
area is designated as a priority area, no structure shall be allowed in said 
38 
area unless it is approved by the DENR or BFAR, as may be appropriate; 
39 
d. Operational Plan for the rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation of 
40 
designated 
priority coastal greenbelts with ecologically appropriate 
41 
mangrove and beach forest species, not less than one hundred (100) meters 
42 
in width. Existing forests or plantations greater than the minimum width shall 
43 
not be reduced. The program for rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation 
44 
shall be community-based, long-term and implemented through the 
45 
municipality or City government. The Operational Plan shall indicate that the 
46 
program for rehabilitation, reforestation and afforestationmust cover a 
4 


1 
minimum target area of twenty percent (20%) of the designated priority 
2 . 
areas in the first five (5) years for maximum protection of the most 
3 
vulnerable communities in the city or municipality. The remaining priority 
4 
areas must be completed within ten (10) yearsthe designation of the priority 
5 
area; 
6 
e. Operational Plan for the reversion of all abandoned fishponds to mangroves 
7 
through natural regeneration or replanting with locally appropriate species. 
8 
The NCGAP shall indicate that the identification and recovery of possession 
9 
from delinquent fishpond lease agreement holders shall be completed within 
10 
twelve (12) months from the adoption thereof. All fishpond areas to be 
11 
reverted to mangroves shall form part of the minimum target for the first 
12 
year of impl,~mentation of the Action Plan; 
13 
f. 
Operational Plan for the removal of illegal structures (such as breakwaters, 
14 
permanent residential/commercial structures, and the like), in the identified 
15 
priority coastal greenbelts. The NCGAP shall indicate that the declaration of 
16 
and notice to persons responsible for removal of illegal structures shall be 
17 
completed within twelve (12) months from the adoption thereof. The 
18 
removal of illegal structures in and start of rehabilitation, reforestation or 
19 
afforestation of these areas shall form part of the minimum target for the 
20 
first year ofimplementation of the Action Plan; 
21 
g. Monitoring and 
evaluation 
plan, 
with 
quantitative 
and 
qualitative 
22 
targetsconsistent with (d), (e) and (f) above, appropriate indicators and 
23 
reasonable means of verification. The plan shall become an integrated part 
24 
of the Action Plan and Annual Report to Congress. 
25 
The Climate Change Commission(CCC) shall be responsible for consolidating the 
26 
NCGAPnot later than twelve (12) months from the date this Act takes effect. 
27 
SECTION S.-Key Implementing Agencies.The following agencies shall take the 
28 
lead in implementing components of the Program and Action Plan that are relevant to 
29 
their mandates: 
30 
a. The Climate Change Commission (CCC) shall be responsible for the 
31 
congregation of relevant government agencies, facilitation of public 
32 
participation in the preparation of the NCGAP, integration of the NCGAP into 
33 
the Local Action Plans including the power of approving putting up necessary 
34 
structures in the Designated Areas, and the preparation of the integrated 
35 
report to Congress especially with regard to the expenditure of the 
36 
appropriation and other pertinent matters under Section 8 of this Act; 
37 
b. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its 
38 
relevant offices, shall be responsible for (a) (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 4 
39 
of this Act in line with existing laws and mandates, and it shall provide the 
40 
CCC all relevant information to aid in the monitoring and evaluation of the 
41 
NCGAP. In particular, the DENR shall identify the Designated Areas that will 
42 
need to be expropriated by the government and to recommend the 
43 
expropriation plan to the CCC; 
44 
c. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)of the Department of 
45 
Agriculture (DA) shall coordinate with the DENRfor (e) in Section 4 above or 
46 
the Operational Plan that provides for the reversion of all abandoned 
5 


1 
fishponds to mangroves through natural regeneration or replanting with 
2 
locally appropriate species in line with existing laws and mandates, and it 
3 
shall provide the CCC all relevant information to aid in the monitoring and 
4 
evaluation ofthe NCGAP; 
5 
d. The Department of Interior and Local Governments(DILG) through its 
6 
relevant offices, shall provide technical guidance for provinces, cities and 
7 
municipalities to develop Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plans, design and 
8 
implement community-based and ecologically appropriate rehabilitation, 
9 
reforestation and afforestation programs, and monitor and evaluate their 
10 
programs.ln particular, the Local Inter Agency Committee (LlAC) shall 
11 
coordinate with the Local Government Unit in implementing the action plans. 
12 
In addition, the National Housing Authority (NHA) shall provide appropriation 
13 
for the relocation of the families or individuals who will be affected by the 
14 
Designated Areas. The other agencies that participated in the preparation of 
15 . 
the Action Plan shall implement their commitments, as provided therein. The 
16 
actions required of implementing agencies are immediately executable, 
17 
based on the agreed National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan, and on their 
18 
existing mandates, programs and budgets that are aligned with the Action 
19 
Plan, without need for formulating implementing guidelines, rules and 
20 . 
regulations for this Act. 
21 
SECTION 6.-National Technical Advisory Committee. The Climate Change 
22 
Commission shall convene a National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) composed 
23 
of: 
24 
a. A technical representative from the Climate Change Commission (CCC) 
25 
b. A technical representative from the Department of Environment and Natural 
26 
Resources (DENR) 
27 
c. A technical representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic 
28 
Resources (BFAR) 
29 
d. Two (2) known experts in mangrove and beach forest ecosystems, 
30 
oceanography or other related disciplines 
31 
e. A representative from a non-government organization or a people's 
32 
organization that demonstrates capacity to promote the public interest and 
33 
with identifiable leadership, membership and structure that has been 
34 
actively involved in mangrove research and has produced actual publication 
35 
in mangrove research as among the criteria that shall be set by the DENR, 
36 
BFAR and Ccc. 
37 
The National Technical Advisory Committee shall provide scientific guidance in 
38 
the deSign, implementation and evaluation of actions under the NCGAP. The experts 
39 
shall serve in the Committee without compensation, but may be reimbursed for basic 
40 
expenses to attend meetings and prepare technical reports. 
41 
SECTION 7.-Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan.Each coastal municipality and 
42 
city in the identified priority coastal greenbelt areas in the Action Plan shall prepare a 
43 
Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (LCGAP) to facilitate the implementation of 
44 
mandated actions in the NCGAP. The roles of the municipality Qr city, as provided in the 
45 
local LCGAP shall be to: 
46 
a. Facilitate the implementation of the mandates of the national agencies 
47 
under Section 4, by providing local data and other supporting measures; 
6 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
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; 
f. 
Provide data and qualitative feedback to the Key Implementing Agencies, as 
13 
may be relevant. 
14 
The provincial government shall provide technical and budgetary support to 
15 
component coastal cities and municipalities, and ensure consistency across contiguous 
16 
cities and municipalities sharing a common priority coastal greenbelt area. 
17 
SECTION 8. Enforcement Actions.-
18 
a) In addition to the penalties provided under existing law, any person who 
19 
obstructs the DENR in the removal of illegal structures, or BFAR in the 
20 
process of reversion of abandoned fishponds, shall be liable to that 
21 
agency for an administrative fine of fifty thousand pesos (PSO,OOO) per 
22 
day that the agency is prevented from performing its function. 
23 
b) No structures shall be built within the identified coastal greenbelts 
24 
without a permit from DENR or BFAR, consistent with their mandates. 
25 
Any person who violates this prohibition shall be liable to the agency for 
26 
an administrative fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,OOO)per day from the 
27 
time the structure was built until its removal. 
28 
c) Proceeds from administrative fines under this Section shall be retained by 
29 
the agency imposing such 
fines and 
used 
exclusively for the 
30 
implementation of its mandate under this Act. 
31 
d) Legal actions filed in the exercise of rights and enforcement of obligations 
32 
under this Act shall be covered by the Rules of Procedure for 
33 
Environme·ntal Cases. 
34 
SECTION 9.Appropriations.-The Key Implementing Agencies shall draw from 
35 
their existing programs and budgets to implement their responsibilities under the Action 
36 
Plan, and through the People's Survival Fund, where appropriate, subject to additional 
37 
funding in the annual national appropriations, to meet the targets agreed in the Action 
38 
Plan. 
39 
SECTION lO.Annual Report to Congress.-The Key Implementing Agencies shall 
40 
report to Congress on their progress in meeting the quantitative and qualitative targets 
41 
under the Action Plan for each fiscal year. The reports shall be consolidated by the 
42 
Climate Change Commission for presentation to the appropriate Committee in Congress 
43 
at a meeting called for the purpose. 
44 
SECTION 11. Effective Date.-This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
45 
publication in the Official Gazette and in two (2) national newspapers of general 
46 
circulation. 
47 
Approved, 
7