CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our country is an archipelago surrounded by rich marine resources. Most of the 
country’s subsistence is attributed to these waters and as such, the citizens rely on these 
marine resources for their living and enrichment. 
But then, the country’s waters face a danger long established by the 
modernization and continuing urbanization. With the onset of industrialization, progress 
has been one of its outcomes. However, this industrialization also brings with it pollution, 
an alarming environmental and health problem. Pollution of the marine resources and the 
country’s vital waterways threaten the very subsistence of our countrymen and diminish 
the future generation’s chance of a clean and healthful ecology. In addition, pollution 
brings with it the danger to one’s health, with consequences uncertain and some 
unresolved. 
This bill seeks to establish marine protected areas in all the coastal municipalities 
and cities. With the enactment of this measure, the municipal waters and coastal areas are 
protected and conserved. The local government units, the Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR), Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (FARMC), the 
Department of Agriculture (DA) and the private sector shall facilitate the management 
and shall be the arbiter of issues related to the safeguard of these marine protected areas. 
As enshrined in Article 12, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution which states that: 
“The State shall protect the nation5 marine wealth in iis archipelagic waters, 
territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment 
exclusively to Filipino citizens. ’’ 
Let us, as the representatives of the Filipino people, take on this role to fhther 
protect our natural resources and our citizens. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
y4iliir 
REVILLA, JR. 


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CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
9 
HP,Y -5 p e :!I6 
SENATE 
/ 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
- 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN ALL 
COASTAL MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House ofRepresentatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall he known as the “Marine and Coastal 
Resources Protection Act of 2009”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
ensure the protection and preservation of the country’s marine resources even as it 
promotes the development of a robust fisheries sector. The State shall ensure that the 
utilization of marine resources by its citizens observes the requirements of sustainability 
and, to this end, the State shall promote a culture of responsible stewardship of the 
environment that is anchored on the desire to be in harmony with nature. Thus, where 
human carelessness and disregard have resulted in destruction and damage, the State shall 
take the necessary measures to restore ecological balance and beauty to ensure the 
continued enjoyment by all of a healthy and safe environment. 
The State also takes cognizance of the preferred status of the citizenry as the 
primary users and beneficiaries of the country’s resources. As such, Filipino communities 
are therefore acknowledged as crucial partners in the effort to conserve and manage our 
natural marine resources. 
As a measure towards the maintenance of biological diversity and the proper 
management of natural resources, the coastal community is encouraged to formulate its 
own marine conservation program, according to a coastal resource management plan 
tailored to the particular ecological conditions of the marine environment. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the relevant terms are 
(a) “Buffer zone” refers to the area surrounding the core zone of protection, where 
defined as folIows: 
extractive or recreational activities are regulated according to its carrying capacity. 
(b) “Co-management scheme” refers to a management approach of administrative 
integration and cooperation, where the local community, the local government unit 
(LGU), participating agencies, concerned civil society and sectors contribute their 
resources towards the fulfillment of a particular function within their areas of expertise, 
in a manner that furthers the goals of sustainable management of the marine protected 
area. 
(c) “Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve” refers to a portion of the mangrove forest 
designated and reserved for the protection of its ecological functions and services and 
restored to support fisheries production in coastal waters. 
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(d) “Marine Protected Area” refers to a defined area of the sea established and set 
aside by law, administrative regulation or any other effective means in order to conserve 
and protect a part of or the entire enclosed environment, through the establishment of 
management guidelines. It is considered a generic term that includes all declared areas 
governed by specific rules or guidelines in order to protect and manage activities within 
the enclosed area. Marine protected areas may take the following forms, any one or a 
combination of which may comprise the marine protected area: 
(1) “Marine reserve” refers to an area where access and uses (whether extractive 
or non-extractive) are regulated or controlled for specific uses or purposes. A marine 
reserve may include a marine sanctuary within its boundaries. The entire area need not be 
placed under the same conditions or restrictions as a marine sanctuary, but all uses are 
still controlled and regulated to the extent necessary to ensure that little or no harm is 
imposed on the environment enclosed in the reserve. 
(2) “Marine park” refers to a type of marine reserve where conservation-oriented 
recreation, education and research are emphasized. A marine park may include a marine 
sanctuary within its boundaries. 
(3) “Marine sanctuary” refers to a defined area established and set aside 
exclusively for the purpose of protecting habitats and species, through the prohibition of 
all extractive uses and strict regulation of non-extractive uses. This term is synonymous 
with “No-Take Zone”. A marine sanctuary may have a buffer zone around the area 
sought to he protected from extractive and non-extractive uses. It may be located within a 
marine reserve or marine park. 
SEC. 4. Establishment of Marine Protected Areas. - Within one (1) year from 
the effectivity of this Act, all coastal municipalities and cities shall establish at least one 
(1) marine protected area (MPA) within municipal waters, covering a minimum total area 
of ten (10) hectares, in accordance with an integrated community-based conservation 
program and coastal resource management plan. The total area designated for protection 
need not be contiguous, and may be designed in such a manner as may be deemed 
appropriate, so long as it fulfills the ultimate purpose of conservation. 
Where possible, inter-tidal areas shall be reserved for the establishment of 
Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserves as part of the MPA. 
Where the municipalities border each other in such a way that their respective 
coastlines form a contiguous body, the concerned LGUs may so jointly establish and 
administer the MPA as to reach the optimum size and arrangement of a large zoned 
marine protected area. 
SEC. 5. General Criteria. - The marine protected area, which may either take one 
particular form or incorporate different types, shall be established according to the level 
of protection required by existing ecological conditions, as well as the socioeconomic 
characteristics of the local community, among others: Provided, That the form or 
arrangement of the MPA does not in any way impair the preferential use rights of 
municipal fisherfolk, unless ecological conditions are in such an advanced state of 
degradation that rehabilitation must necessarily preclude allowing all extractive and 
human activity. 
SEC. 6. Responsible Entities. - The Concerned LGU, along with members of the 
community and civil society, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of 
the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR), the Fisheries and Aquatic ’ Resources Management Councils 
(FARMCs) and the private sector, shall be responsible for the designation, establishment 
and management of MPAs within municipal waters, based on a co-management scheme 
that accommodates the interests of all the stakeholders involved. 
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SEC. 7. Funding. - The initial fund for the establishment of the MPA shall be 
provided by the LGU. Funds for the sustainable management of the MPA shall be 
included in the regular budget of the concerned LGU and may be augmented by funds 
provided by the provincial government, grants, donations and income generated from the 
operations of the MPA. 
SEC. 8. Management of Existing MPAs. - The DENR shall continue to manage 
MPAs established under the National Integrated Protected Areas System WIPAS) and all 
initial components of the System that have passed the requirements pursuant to Republic 
Act No, 7586, otherwise know as the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 
1992. 
All marine protected areas, fishery reserves, fishery refuges or sanctuaries and 
mangrove swamp forest reserves previously declared or proclaimed by the President, or 
legislated as such by the Congress of the Philippines, may continue to be supervised by 
the agency charged with its administration. 
SEC. 9. Violations and Sanctions. - Unless otherwise allowed in accordance with 
this Act, the NIPAS Law, the Fisheries Code (Republic Act No. 8550) and the Wildlife 
Act (Republic Act No. 9147), it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and 
knowingly exploit, damage or destroy MPAs and/or any of its parts. Violators shall be 
subject to the applicable fines and penalties as provided for in the NIPAS Law, Republic 
Act No. 8550 and Republic Act No. 9147, and other related laws, rules and regulations. 
Should a coastal LGU fail to establish an MPA as herein provided, the mayor, the 
vice mayor and the members of the sanggunian shall be liable for prosecution under 
Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act” 
and Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical 
Standards for Public Officials and Employees”, or other applicable laws. 
SEC. 10. Incentives and Awards. - The DA, in collaboration with the DENR, the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the UP Marine Science 
Institute (UPMSI) as well as other relevant academic and research institutions, shall 
develop incentive and award mechanisms to promote effective management of MPAs and 
to ensure their sustainability. 
SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days alter the 
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DA, together with the DENR, the DILG and 
the UPMSI, in consultation with other relevant academic and research institutions, local 
government leagues, the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, 
fisherfolk and other concerned organizations, shall formulate the rules and regulations for 
the full implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act should hereafter be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such other parts not affected thereby shall continue 
in full force and effect. 
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 14. Effectivity - This act shall take effect fiReen (1 5) days after its complete 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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