Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representatives 
CHRISTIAN S. UNABIA, LORDAN G. SUAN, and BAMBI B. EMANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The unique geographical location and nature of the Philippines as an 
archipelagic state in the Pacific have their advantages and disadvantages. We 
suffer the onslaught of typhoons several times a year, wreaking havoc on 
infrastructure and the economy. We are also one of the countries that are most 
vulnerable to climate change. On one side, the Philippines is located within the 
Coral Triangle, known to be the center of marine life. We are within the area 
where 76% of all known coral species are located and home to 37% of the world’s 
total coral reef fish. We have one of the longest coastlines in the world, hosting 
thriving aquaculture and tourism-related industries. 
The adoption of the blue economy as an economic model of development 
perfectly suits the Philippines. It recognizes the potential of harnessing our vast 
marine and aquatic resources to create livelihoods, reduce poverty, attain food 
security, and improve the quality of life of our people. It will also open 
opportunities to develop marine-related industries and services that will 
competitively position us in the global economy. Yet, all of these can only be 
realized if, first and foremost, we commit to using these resources sustainably and 
put our heads together to protect and conserve them. Hence, the challenge is 
always placing a premium on balancing economic development with 
environmental protection and conservation. 
The goals envisioned in adopting the blue economy as a paradigm can be 
achieved through a combination of several important factors, namely, aligned 
policies, proactive institutional arrangements, well-thought-out financing 
mechanisms, and the right infrastructure. To lay out these foundations, this bill 
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seeks to establish a strategic framework for the blue economy. This framework 
will serve as a guide for crafting the National Action Plan. This bill also provides 
for the creation of the Council, which will formulate and implement the strategies, 
plans, and programs for the Blue Economy. 
In view of the foregoing, this bill’s approval is fervently sought. 
HON. CHRISTIAN S. UNABIA 
1st District, Misamis Oriental 
HON. LORDAN G. SUAN 
1st District, Cagayan de Oro City 
HON. BAMBI B. EMANO 
2nd District, Misamis Oriental 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _________ 
Introduced by Representatives 
CHRISTIAN S. UNABIA, LORDAN G. SUAN, and BAMBI B. EMANO 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK STRATEGY FOR THE BLUE 
ECONOMY, CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE BLUE ECONOMY 
COUNCIL,  
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Blue Economy 
1 
Act.” 
2 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the state to: 
3 
(a)
develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively
4 
controlled by Filipinos;
5 
(b)
pursue a national economy whose goals are a more equitable
6 
distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained
7 
increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation
8 
for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity as the
9 
key to raising the quality of life for all, especially the
10 
underprivileged;
11 
(c)
ensure the protection and advancement of the right of the people to
12 
a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
13 
harmony of nature; and
14 
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(d)
protect the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters,
1 
territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and
2 
enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.
3 
Towards this end, the state shall: 
4 
(a)
adopt and promote the blue economy as a model of economic
5 
development to propel economic growth, create jobs and livelihoods,
6 
and improve the lives of the people;
7 
(b)
exercise effective stewardship towards protecting and conserving
8 
our marine and coastal resources;
9 
(c)
promote the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources to
10 
benefit present and future generations;
11 
(d)
advance scientific research in the use, management, protection, and
12 
conservation of resources; and
13 
(e)
provide institutional mechanisms and adequate financing to promote
14 
the blue economy.
15 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, the following 
16 
terms are defined as follows: 
17 
(a)
Blue Economy – refers to a model of economic development that
18 
leverages the potential of marine and coastal assets for economic
19 
growth and development while sustainably managing, protecting,
20 
and conserving these resources.
21 
(b)
Blue Financing – refers to financial, investment, and insurance
22 
mechanisms specifically directed towards programs, projects, and
23 
initiatives that positively impact marine and coastal-related
24 
industries, and activities including the protection, regeneration, and
25 
conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems.
26 
(c)
Council – shall refer to the Blue Economy Council
27 
(d)
Environmental Accounting – refers to the method and system of
28 
recording and analyzing the environmental benefits and costs of
29 
economic activities.
30 
(e)
Green Infrastructures – shall refer to nature-based solutions to
31 
conserve biodiversity, protect the ecosystem, and mitigate the risks
32 
brought about by climate change and human activities.
33 
(f)
Green Technologies – shall refer to environmentally sound and
34 
climate-smart technologies used to monitor and assess the condition
35 
of the environment, prevent or minimize the damage of economic
36 
activities to the environment, and restore damaged ecosystems.
37 


 
(g) 
Maritime Zones – shall refer to the internal waters, territorial sea, 
1 
contiguous zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the High 
2 
Seas. 
3 
(h) 
Ocean Accounts – shall refer to information or records of ocean 
4 
environment assets, economic activity, and social conditions to 
5 
measure the sustainable development of the ocean. 
6 
(i) 
Secretariat – shall refer to the Blue Economy Council Secretariat 
7 
(j) 
Spatial Planning – refers to an approach that manages and resolves 
8 
the use, interactions, and activities in Maritime Zones. 
9 
 
Section 4. Creation of the Blue Economy Council. — There is hereby 
10 
created a Blue Economy Council under the Office of the President of the Republic 
11 
of the Philippines and shall hereinafter referred to as the “Council.” The Council 
12 
shall be composed of the following: 
13 
 
Chairperson: 
14 
Executive Secretary 
15 
 
Members: 
16 
Secretary of Agriculture 
17 
 
 
Secretary of Energy 
18 
 
 
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources 
19 
 
 
Secretary of Finance 
20 
 
 
Secretary of Foreign Affairs 
21 
 
 
Secretary of Information and Communications Technology 
22 
 
 
Secretary of Interior and Local Government 
23 
 
 
Secretary of Justice 
24 
 
 
Secretary of Labor and Employment 
25 
 
 
Secretary of National Defense 
26 
 
 
Secretary of Science and Technology 
27 
 
 
Secretary of Tourism 
28 
 
 
Secretary of Trade and Industry 
29 
 
 
Secretary of Transportation 
30 
 
 
Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority 
31 
The Department Secretaries may designate an Undersecretary or a 
32 
competent person under the Department who shall sit in a permanent capacity and 
33 
whose acts shall be considered acts of the designating authority. 
34 
The Council shall meet every three (3) months or as may be deemed 
35 
necessary by the Chairperson. 
36 


 
 
Section 5. Blue Economy Council Secretariat. — There is hereby created 
1 
a Blue Economy Council Secretariat, which shall provide administrative and 
2 
technical support to the Council. 
3 
The Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Director, who shall be 
4 
appointed by the Chairperson upon the recommendation of the Council.  The 
5 
Council shall have the authority to create positions and determine the number of 
6 
staff, subject to applicable laws, rules, and regulations. 
7 
 
Section 6. Support Agencies. — Subject to the rules and regulations 
8 
promulgated by the Council, the following agencies shall provide material or 
9 
technical support to the Council as may be deemed necessary: 
10 
(a) 
National Coastal Watch Council; 
11 
(b) 
Climate Change Commission; 
12 
(c) 
Armed Forces of the Philippines; 
13 
(d) 
Philippine Statistics Authority; 
14 
(e) 
Philippine Ports Authority 
15 
(f) 
Maritime Industry Authority 
16 
(g) 
National Mapping and Resources Information Authority; 
17 
(h) 
Board of Investments; 
18 
(i) 
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; 
19 
(j) 
Philippine Coast Guard; 
20 
(k) 
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources 
21 
and Development; 
22 
(l) 
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services 
23 
Administration; 
24 
(m) Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office; and 
25 
(n) 
University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. 
26 
The Council may call upon other bureaus, offices, and instrumentalities of 
27 
the Government, and research institutions to provide material and technical 
28 
support. 
29 
 
Section 7. Powers and Functions of the Council. — The Council shall have 
30 
the following powers and functions:  
31 
(a) 
Formulate the Framework Strategy for the Blue Economy; 
32 
(b) 
Formulate a Blue Economy National Action Plan  
33 
(c) 
Conduct a policy and program review of all maritime and coastal 
34 
activities; 
35 
(d) 
Coordinate and synchronize policies and programs of the national 
36 
government agencies relating to the Blue Economy; 
37 


 
(e) 
Establish mechanisms for the effective implementation of 
1 
international maritime agreements and commitments; 
2 
(f) 
Undertake environmental accounting to measure the marine and 
3 
coastal environmental benefits and costs of economic activities; 
4 
(g) 
Conduct ocean accounts on marine environment assets, economic 
5 
activities, and social conditions; 
6 
(h) 
Recommend marine and coastal development investments that will 
7 
propel economic growth; 
8 
(i) 
Create an enabling environment for marine and coastal development 
9 
investments; 
10 
(j) 
Recommend legislation, policies, strategies, programs, and 
11 
appropriations for the development of the  Blue Economy; 
12 
(k) 
Identify and recommend national strategic priorities for leveraging 
13 
the marine economy for economic growth; and 
14 
(l) 
Undertake maritime spatial planning to identify the spatial and 
15 
temporal distribution of priority activities and uses and the 
16 
interactions thereof in Maritime Zones. 
17 
 
Section 8. Panel of Technical Experts. —  The council shall constitute a 
18 
panel of technical experts on maritime and coastal industries; tourism; economic 
19 
development strategies; management, protection, and conservation; security; and 
20 
green infrastructures and technologies. 
21 
They shall provide technical advice to the Council on competitively 
22 
positioning the country in the global economy through the sustainable utilization 
23 
of the country’s marine and coastal assets while protecting and conserving them 
24 
for the benefit of future generations. 
25 
The Council shall set the qualifications and compensation of the technical 
26 
experts.  
27 
 
Section 9. Framework Strategy on Blue Economy. — The Council, within 
28 
six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, shall formulate a Framework 
29 
Strategy for Blue Economy. The Framework Strategy shall serve as the basis for 
30 
programs, investments, development planning, policy formulation, regulations, 
31 
monitoring, and research on the Blue Economy. It shall be subject to a mandatory 
32 
review and modification every five (5) years. 
33 
 
Section 10. Components of the Framework Strategy on Blue Economy. — 
34 
The Framework Strategy shall include, but not be limited to, the following 
35 
components: 
36 
(a) 
Policy and program review of all maritime and coastal activities; 
37 
(b) 
Compliance with international agreements and commitments; 
38 


 
(c) 
Environmental accounting;  
1 
(d) 
Ocean accounts; 
2 
(e) 
Blue financing mechanisms; 
3 
(f) 
Institutional capacity; 
4 
(g) 
Research and development;  
5 
(h) 
National strategic priorities; and 
6 
(i) 
Blue Economy investments 
7 
 
Section 11. Blue Economy National Action Plan. — The Council shall 
8 
formulate a National Climate Change Action Plan in accordance with the 
9 
Framework Strategy within six (6) months after its formulation. The Blue 
10 
Economy National Action Plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following 
11 
components: 
12 
(a) 
Optimization of the Marine Infrastructure Highway; 
13 
(b) 
Expansion of tourism and recreational opportunities; 
14 
(c) 
Mapping and Exploration of the Maritime Zones; 
15 
(d) 
Creation and leveraging of strategic partnerships; 
16 
(e) 
Formulation of policies and passing of legislation; 
17 
(f) 
Identification and promotion of investment opportunities; 
18 
(g) 
Formulation of financing mechanisms; and  
19 
(h) 
All other actionable inputs from partners and stakeholders. 
20 
 
Section 12. Authority to Receive Donations and/or Grants. — The Council 
21 
is hereby authorized to accept grants, contributions, donations, endowments, 
22 
bequests, or gifts in cash or kind from local and foreign sources in support of the 
23 
development and implementation of the Blue Economy’s plans, programs, and 
24 
projects. Provided, that in the case of donations from foreign governments, 
25 
acceptance thereof shall be subject to prior clearance and approval of the 
26 
President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Foreign 
27 
Affairs; and provided, further, that such donations shall not be used to fund 
28 
personal service expenditures and other operating expenses of the Council. 
29 
 
Section 13. Congressional Oversight. — For the effective implementation 
30 
of this Act, a Congressional Oversight Committee is hereby created to be known 
31 
as the Blue Economy Oversight Committee. It shall be composed of five (5) 
32 
Senators and five (5) Representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and 
33 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. It shall be co-chaired by 
34 
the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and the 
35 
Chairperson of the House Committee on Economic Affairs. 
36 
 
Section 14. Appropriations. — The amount of One Hundred Million Pesos 
37 
(Php100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as initial funding for the Council, to 
38 
be charged against the unexpended Contingency Fund of the Office of the 
39 


 
President. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the effective implementation of 
1 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
2 
 
Section 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days 
3 
from the approval of this Act, the Council shall formulate the necessary rules and 
4 
regulations for its effective implementation.  
5 
 
Section 16. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared 
6 
invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not hereby affected shall remain in full 
7 
force and effect. 
8 
 
Section 17. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
9 
regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this 
10 
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified, accordingly. 
11 
 
Section 18. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from 
12 
the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, or a newspaper of general 
13 
circulation or a website provided for by law.
14 
Approved,