Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARIÑO 
5th District, Batangas 
AN ACT DECLARING THE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE MARINE 
CORRIDOR AS A MARITIME PROTECTED AREA AND AN ECOTOURISM 
ZONE, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE 
MANAGEMENT BOARD, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Verde Island Passage is one of the rich biodiversity areas in the country and has been 
declared the center of center of the world’s marine shore fish diversity by marine scientists. As 
such, the national government and local government units have taken measures to protect, 
conserve and sustainably use biological diversity to ensure and secure the well-being of the 
present and future generations of Filipinos.  
Then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for instance, issued Executive Order No. 578 
which established a national policy on biological diversity and created an ad hoc task force to 
ensure the protection, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the Verde 
Island Passage Marine Corridor, and formulate a Verde Island Passage Management Plan in 
consultation with stakeholders, the private sector, civil society and local communities.  
Local government units, in cooperation with national government agencies, law 
enforcement, and civil society, signed a memorandum of agreement to create a network for the 
protection and sustainable management of the Verde Island Passage.  
Despite these significant steps, the Verde Island Passage remains vulnerable. Human 
activities such as fishing, shipping, tourism, and navigation still pose a serious threat. Thus, this 
bill seeks to urgently declare the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor as a Marine Protected 
Area and an Ecotourism Zone. The bill also proposes the creation of a management body that 
shall implement the existing management plan and the policies enunciated in the proposed Act. 
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARIÑO 
July 1, 2022 
12:25 pm
916


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARIÑO 
5th District, Batangas 
AN ACT DECLARING THE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE MARINE 
CORRIDOR AS A MARITIME PROTECTED AREA AND AN 
ECOTOURISM ZONE, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE 
VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE MANAGEMENT BOARD, DEFINING 
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Verde Island Passage 
Marine Corridor Protected Area Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – Considering the Verde Island Marine 
Corridor is recognized as the world’s center of marine biodiversity, it is hereby declared 
the policy of the State to conserve and protect its marine resources and promote the 
welfare of the human communities therein, their culture and way of life insofar as they 
are in harmony with nature. Towards this end, the State shall ensure the optimal 
resource utilization, conservation, protection, and promotion of the sustainable coastal 
and marine development of the areas covered by the Verde Island Passage Marine 
Corridor. 
SECTION 3. Scope. – The Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor lies between the 
southern coast of the province of Batangas and the northern coast of Mindoro Island, 
more particularly described as follows: 
916


 
 
 
  
Point X Coordinates Y Coordinates 
LONGTITUDE 
DEG 
MIN 
SEC 
LATITUDE  
DEG   MIN 
SEC 
Remarks 
1 
121.45733 
13.81120 
121 
27 
26 
13 
48 
40 
Boundary bet. San Juan & Sariaya (River) 
2 
121.86471 
13.56996 
121 
51 
53 
13 
34 
12 
Northern tip of Marinduque ( Mogpo) 
3 
122.03394 
13.20391 
122 
2 
0 
13 
12 
14 
Boundary of Buenavista & Torrijos (S. Tip) 
4 
122.14901 
12.90621 
122 
8 
56 
13 
54 
22 
Water ( SE of Banton Island) 
5 
122.14901 
12.11870 
122 
7 
7 
13 
45 
39 
Water 
6 
122.09967 
12.74913 
122 
5 
59 
13 
44 
57 
Water 
7 
122.08140 
12.74523 
122 
4 
53 
13 
44 
43 
Water 
8 
122.08031 
12.74514 
122 
4 
49 
13 
44 
43 
Water 
9 
122.04462 
12.74501 
122 
2 
41 
13 
44 
42 
Water 
10 
122.00176 
12.75186 
122 
0 
6 
13 
45 
7 
Water 
11 
121.48678 
12.99637 
121 
29 
12 
13 
59 
47 
Boundary b/w Pinamalayan & Gloria 
12 
120.29944 
13.44654 
120 
17 
58 
13 
26 
48 
Tip of Paluan ( Cape Calavite ) 
13 
120.02122 
13.88239 
120 
1 
16 
13 
52 
57 
Cabra Island 
14 
120.02540 
13.89695 
120 
1 
31 
13 
53 
49 
Cabra Island A 
15 
120.58856 
14.22214 
120 
35 
19 
14 
13 
20 
Cabra Island A 
 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. – The terms used in this Act are as follows: 
 
Existing Management Plan shall refer to the Verde Island Passage Management 
Plan formulated and completed by the Ad Hoc Task Force on Verde Island Passage 
pursuant to Executive Order No. 578 issued on November 8, 2006. 
 
Non-Government Organization (NGO) – any civic, developmental, environmental, 
or philanthropic non-stock, non-profit organization, duly registered, having by-laws, 
democratically-elected representatives, with qualifications, expertise and objectivity in 
activities concerning community organization and development, or resource and 
environmental conservation, management relative to protected areas. 
 
Protected Area – a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and 
managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long term conservation 
of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. 
 
VIPMB – Verde Island Passage Management Board. 
 
VIPMC – Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor. 
 
SECTION 5. Verde Island Passage Management Board. – A Verde Island Passage 
Management Board is hereby created under the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR) to implement the existing management plan and policies 
enunciated under this Act. It shall be composed of: 


 
a. The Secretary of the DENR, as Chairperson; 
 
b. The Governors of the Province of Batangas, the Province of Marinduque, the 
Province of Mindoro Occidental, the Province of Mindoro Oriental, and the 
Province of Romblon, as co-chairpersons; 
 
c. The local chief executives of the Batangas City, Muncipalities of Nasugbu, 
Lian, Calatagan, Balayan, Calaca, Lemery, Taal, San Luis, Mabini, Tingloy, 
Bauan, San Pascual, Lobo, San Juan in the Province of Batangas, 
Municipalities of Mogpog, Boac, Gasan and Buenavista in the Province of 
Marinduque, Municipalities of Abra de Ilog, Paluan, Lubang and Looc in the 
Province of Mindoro Occidental, Calapan City, Municipalities of Puerto Galera, 
San Teodoro, Naujan, Baco, Pola and Pinamalayan in the Province of Mindoro 
Oriental, Municipalities of Concepcion, Corcuera and Banton in the Province 
of Romblon as Vice Chairpersons; 
 
d. The Executive Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-
BFAR) Regions IV-A and IV-B, as member; 
 
e. The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA) Regions IV-A and IV-B, as member; 
 
f. The Regional Directors (Region IV-A and IV-B) of the Departments of 
Tourism (DOT), Science and Technology (DOST), Health (DOH), 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Interior and Local Government 
(DILG), Justice (DOJ), Energy (DOE), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), 
Health (DOH), Finance (DOF), Labor and Employment (DOLE), Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), Transportation (DOTr), Trade and 
Industry (DTI), National Defense (DND), Philippine National Police (PNP) for 
Regions IV-A and IV-B, as members; 
 
g. Two (2) representatives from the academe, to be appointed by the President 
upon recommendation of the DENR Secretary, as members; and 
 
h. Two (2) representatives from NGOs, to be chosen from among themselves in 
an election duly called for the purpose, as members. 
 
SECTION 6. Term. – Except for government officials who shall serve ex-officio, 
every VIPMB member shall serve for a term of three (3) years; Provided, That the said 
member remains connected with the sector being represented. Whenever a vacancy 
occurs during the term of a member who does not represent the government, a new 
member shall be chosen in the same manner as the original process to serve the 
remaining term of the predecessor. 
 
SECTION 7. Powers and Functions of the Board. – The VIPMB shall have the 
following powers and functions: 
 
a. Formulate the Verde Island Passage Marine Protected and Ecotourism Master 
Plan that is consistent with the existing Management Plan. 


 
b. Ensure the proper implementation and enforcement of existing laws, rules and 
regulations, policies, and programs within the VIPMC; 
 
c. Decide matters relating to planning, resource use and protection, and general 
administration of the area in accordance with the existing Management Plan 
Framework; 
 
d. Coordinate with national and local agencies, local government units, local 
communities, the academe, non-government organizations, and such other 
institutions to ensure the conservation, management, and proper zoning of 
coastal waters to reduce possible conflict in the use of resources in VIPMC; 
 
e. Provide guidelines and best practices for coastal and foreshore development 
planning that take into account the likelihood for increase storm activity, 
saltwater intrusion, and other climate change impacts; 
 
f. Initiate partnerships with the private sector and the local government units 
concerned on establishing processes for dealing with pollution, including but 
not limited to oil spills, through the Environmental Impact Assessment System; 
 
g. Facilitate access to technical assistance and information among different 
agencies, sectors, and local government units; 
 
h. Regulate construction, operation, and maintenance of structures and utilities 
within the VIPMC; 
 
i. Generate funds and accept donations and grants and exercise accountability 
over all funds that may accrue to the VIPMC;  
 
j. Convene a conflict resolution mechanism;             
 
k. Provide adequate measures to ensure consultation and participation of 
stakeholders; 
 
SECTION 8. The Secretariat. – The Board, through a Resolution, shall establish 
a Secretariat to provide administrative support to the VIPMC Management Board. The 
Secretariat shall have the following functions: 
 
a. Coordinate day-to-day activities related to the implementation of the 
Management Plan; 
 
b. Arrange and service meetings of the Board; and 
 
c. Prepare the necessary reports and documents.  
   
SECTION 9. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial operating 
expenses of the VIPMB shall be charge d to the appropriations authorized for the DENR. 
Thereafter, the sum necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the 
VIPMB shall be charged from the user fees to be imposed by the respective local 


government units concerned. This income shall be derived from the tourist fess, 
contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the use of the 
portions of VIPMC. 
 
 SECTION 10. Implementing Rules. – Within 90 days from its effectivity, the 
VIPMB and other concerned agencies shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the proper implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential 
decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
memorandum circulars inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.   
 
Approved,