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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 950

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF BEACHES AND
COASTAL RECREATION WATER

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines boasts an extensive coastline and world-renowned beaches, which play
a vital role in attracting both local and international tourists. These coastal areas are not only a
source of national pride but also a key driver of economic activity. In 2023, tourism provided
jobs for approximately 6.21 million Filipinos, accounting for 12.9% of the country’s total
employment, the highest recorded contribution in 24 years, based on data from the Philippine
Statistics Authority.

Despite this economic importance, our beaches and coastal waters face growing
environmental threats, particularly from plastic pollution, A 2023 monitoring survey in Manila
Bay found that plastics made up 90% of all litter. The Philippines has also been identified
among the top contributors to global marine plastic pollution. According to estimates, between
0.28 and 0.75 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean each year from coastal areas

surrounding Manila Bay alone.

This proposed measure aims to address environmental challenges in coastal areas by
enhancing waste management systems. This also seeks to protect our natural resources,
preserve the beauty of our beaches, and ensure the continued viability of the tourism sector.



Beyond environmental protection, the bill supports long-term economic stability and
aligns with global goals on sustainable development. By protecting our coastal ecosystems
today, we help secure the livelihoods of millions of tourism workers and preserve these natural

assets for future generations to come.

In view of the urgency and importance of safeguarding both the environment and the

economy, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

‘CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 950

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF BEACHES AND
COASTAL RECREATION WATER

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 Beaches Environmental
Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act.

SEC. 2. Purposes. — The purpose of this Act is to require uniform criteria and
procedures for testing, monitoring, and notifying users of public coastal recreation water and
beaches:

(a) To protect public safety; and

(b) To improve environmental quality.

SEC. 3. Definitions. — For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a) Coastal recreation water means water adjacent to public beaches and marine coastal

water (including bays, lagoon mouths, and coastal estuaries within the tidal zone)
used by the public for:
i. Swimming;
ii, Bathing;
Surfing; or
iv. Other similar body contact purposes.
(b) Floatable materials means any foreign matter that may float or remain suspending

in water, including:


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Aluminum cans;
Wood;

iv. Bottles;

v. Paper products; and

vi. Fishing gear.

SEC. 4. Adoption of Coastal Recreational Water Quality Criteria. —

(a) In General. — Not later than three (3) years and one hungry eighty (180) days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) shall adopt water quality criteria for coastal
recreation water.

(b) Development of Criteria. — Water quality criteria described in paragraph (a) shall
be developed and promulgated, in accordance with existing environmental laws and
policies.

SEC. 5. Water Quality Criteria Revision. -

(a) Studies. — Not later than three (3) years after the date of enactment of this Act, and
after consultation with appropriate officials, including local health officials, and
other interested persons, the Secretary shall conduct studies to provide new
information for use in developing:

i. A more complete list of potential human health risks from inhalation,
ingestion, or body contact with coastal recreation water, including effects
on the upper respiratory system;

ii. Appropriate and effective indicators for improving direct detection of the
presence of pathogens found harmful to human health in coastal recreational
water;

iii. Appropriate, accurate, and expeditious methods (including predictive
models) for detecting the presence of pathogens in coastal recreation water
that are harmful to human health; and

iv. Guidance for the application of the criteria issues under subsection (b) to
account for the diversity of geographic and aquatic conditions throughout
the country.

(b) Revised Criteria. — not later than five (5) years after the date of enactment of this
Act, based on the results of the studies conducted under paragraph (a), the Secretary,


after consultation with appropriate officials, including local health officials, and

other interested parties shall:

Issue revised water quality criteria for pathogens in coastal recreation water
that are harmful to human health, including a revised list of indicators and
testing methods; and

Not less than once every five (5) years thereafter, review and revise the

water quality criteria.

SEC. 6. Coastal Beach Water Quality Monitoring.

(a) Monitoring

i.

In general. ~ not later than one (1) year and one hundred eighty (180) days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate
regulations for the monitoring by the Department for:
1) Compliance with applicable water quality criteria; and
2) Maintenance of public safety.
Contents of Requirements. ~ monitoring requirements under this section
shall specify, at a minimum —
1) Available monitoring methods to be used; and
2) The frequency and location of monitoring based on:
1. The periods of recreational use of coastal recreation water
and beaches:
2. The extent and degree of recreational use during the periods
described in clause (1);
3. The proximity of coastal recreation water to known or
identified point and nonpoint sources of pollution; and
4. The relationship between the use of public recreation water
and beaches to storms events.
3) Methods for:
1. Detecting levels of pathogens that are harmful to human
health;
2. Identifying short-term increases in pathogens that are
harmful to human health in coastal recreation water,
including the relationship of short-term increases in

pathogens to storm events; and


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3. Conditions and procedures under which discrete areas of
coastal recreation water may be exempted by the Secretary
from the monitoring requirements under this subsection, if
the Secretary determines that an exemption will not:

a. Impair compliance with the applicable water quality
criteria for that water; and
b. Compromise public safety;
(b) Notification Requirements
i. In General. — Regulations promulgated under subsection (a) shall require
provinces to provide notification of a failure or the likelihood of a failure to
meet applicable water quality criteria for provincial coastal recreation water,
to:
1) Local governments;
2) The public; and
3) The Secretary
ii, Information included in Notification. — Notification under this subsection
shall require, at a minimum:
1) The prompt communication of the occurrence, nature, extent, and
location of, and substance, including pathogens, involved in a
failure or immediate likelihood of a failure to meet water quality
criteria, to a designated official of a local government having
jurisdiction over land adjoining the coastal recreation water for
which the failure or imminent failure to meet water quality criteria
is identified; and
2) The posting of signs, during the period in which water quality
criteria are not met, continues, that is sufficient to give notice to
the public:

1. Of failure to meet applicable water quality criteria for the
water; and

2. The potential risks associated with water contact activities in
the water.

(c) Review and Revision of Regulations. — Periodically, but not less than once every
five (5) years, the Secretary shall review and make any necessary revisions to

regulations promulgated under this section.


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(4) Implementation. -

i. In General. — Not later than three (3) years and one hundred eighty (180)
days after the enactment date of this Act, each province shall implement a
monitoring and notification program that conforms to the regulations
promulgated under subsections (a) and (b).

ii. Revision of Program. — not later than two (2) years after the date of
publication of any revision by the Secretary under subsection (c), each
province shall revise the program established under paragraph (a) to
incorporate the revisions.

(e) Guidance: Delegation of Responsibility. —

i, In General — not later than one (1) year and one hundred eighty (180) days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidance
establishing:

1) Core performance measures for testing, monitoring, and
notification programs under this section; and

2) The delegation of testing, monitoring, and notification programs
under this section to the local government authorities.

(£) Delegation of Responsibility to Local Governments. — if a responsibility described
in the above paragraph is delegated by a province to a local government authority,
or is delegated to a local government authority before the date of enactment of this
section, resources, including grants made, shall be made available to the delegated
authority for the purpose of implementing the delegated program in a manner that
is consistent with the guidance issued by the Secretary.

(g) Floatable Materials Monitoring Technical Assistance. — not later than one (1) year
and one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall:

i, Provide technical assistance for uniform assessment and monitoring
procedures for floatable material in coastal recreation water; and

ii. Specify the conditions under which the presence of floatable material shall
constitute a threat to public health and safety.

(h) Occurrence Database. — the Secretary shall establish, maintain, and make available
to the public by electronic and other means —


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i. A national coastal recreation water pollution occurrence database using
reliable information, including the information reported under paragraph
(a); and

ii, A listing of communities conforming to the regulations promulgated under
paragraphs (a) and (b).

SEC. 7. Barangay Involvement and Coastal Watch Units. — Each coastal barangay
shall establish a Coastal Watch Unit, in coordination with the LGU and DENR, composed of
trained volunteers to assist in monitoring pollution, enforcing beach cleanliness regulations,
and reporting violations.

SEC. 8. Report to Congress. — not later than four (4) years after the date of enactment
of this Act, and periodically thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that
contains:

(a) Recommendations concerning the need for additional water quality criteria and
other actions that are necessary to improve the quality of coastal recreation water;
and

(b) An evaluation of effort to implement this Act.

SEC. 9. Separabi
unconstitutional, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall continue to be in full

Clause. ~ If any portion of this Act is declared invalid or

force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and
regulations or parts thereof contrary to, or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,