REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bil No, 2348

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

ines is an archipelago composed of about 7,641 islands with a total land area,
including inland bodies of water, of 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 sq mi). The 36,289
kilometers (22,549 mi) of coastline makes it the country with the fifth longest coastline in the
world. It is bordered by the Philippine Sea to the east, the West Philippine Sea to the west, and the
Celebes Sea to the south. With our country practically surround by seas within and throughout our
territory, coasts are a mainstay of Philippine geographical reality. Managing these coasts then must
be one of government's top prerogative.

Coastal management is defense against flooding and erosion, and techniques that stop
erosion to claim lands. Coastal zones occupy less than 15% of the Earth's land area, while they host
more than 45% of the world population. Nearly 1.4 billion people live within 100 km of a shoreline
and 100 m of sea level, with an average density 3 times higher than the global average for
population. With three-quarters of the world population expected to reside in the coastal zone by
2025, human activities originating from this small land area will impose heavy pressure on coasts.
Coastal zones contain rich resources to produce goods and services and are home to most
commercial and industrial activities.

In the European Union, almost half of the population lives within 50 kilometres of the sea
and coastal resources produce much of the Union's economic wealth. The fishing, shipping and
tourism industries all compete for space along Europe's estimated 89,000 km of coastline and
coastal zones contain some of Europe's most fragile and valuable natural habitats.

Protection against rising sea levels in the 21st century is crucial, as sea level rise accelerates.
Changes in sea level damage beaches and coastal systems are expected to rise at an increasing rate,
causing coastal sediments to be disturbed by tidal energy.

It is in the national interest that this bill be immediately approved.



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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

ENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8349

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
TO ADOPT INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT AS A NATIONAL STRATEGY
TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COASTAL AND MARINE.
ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES AND TO ESTABLISH SUPPORTING
MECHANISMS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND PROVIDE FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled,

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title—This Act shall be known as the “Integrated Coastal
Management Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.—It shall be the policy of the State to ensure sustainable
development of coastal and marine resources in consultation with all stakeholders. Towards this
end, it shall adopt Integrated Coastal Management, hereinafter referred to as ICM, to address the
connectivity of terrestrial and marine biodiversity, social, and ecological systems and the different
human activities taking place therein, to promote sustainable development, to achieve food security,
poverty alleviation, gender equality, respect for sustainable traditional resource rights of indigenous
peoples, and to reduce the vulnerability to climate change, and human induced natural hazards.

SEC. 3. Scope and Coverage.—ICM shall be implemented in all coastal and marine areas,
addressing the interlinkages among associated watersheds and wetlands, by all relevant government
structures at the national and local levels in consultation and partnership with all stakeholders.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms.—For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined

as follows:


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a. “Adaptation” refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or
expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial
‘opportunities;

b. "Biological Diversity" or "Biodiversity" refers to the variability among living organisms
from all sources including inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and _ the
ecological complexes of which they are part. Biodiversity consists of variety of species, their
genetic make-up, and the communities or population to which they belong;

c. "Climate Change" refers to a change in climate that can be identified by changes in the
mean and/or variability of its properties and that persist for an extended period typically decades or
longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity;

d. "Disaster Risk Reduction” refers to the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks
through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the casual factors of disasters, through reduced
exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and
the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events;

e. "Coastal Area" or "Coastal Zone" refers to a band of dry land and adjacent ocean space
(water and submerged land) in which terrestrial processes and uses directly affect oceanic processes
and uses, and vice versa; its geographic extent may include mangrove swamps, brackish water
ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy beaches and other areas to include coral reefs, algal
flats, seagrass beds, and other soft-bottom areas;

f. "Integrated Coastal Management" refers to a natural resource and environmental
ecosystem-based management framework which employs an integrative, holistic management
approach and an interactive planning process in addressing the complex management issues of the
coastal area. The major goal is to attain sustainable coastal development including maintaining the

functional integrity of ecosystems through effective coastal and ocean governance;

g. Mangroves" refers to a community of intertidal plants, including all species of trees,
shrubs, vines and herbs found on coasts, swamps or border of swamps;

h. "Municipal Waters" include not only streams, lakes, inland bodies of water and tidal
waters within the municipality which are not included within the protected areas as defined under
Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, public
forest, timber lands, forest reserves or fishery reserves, but also marine waters included between


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two (2) lines drawn perpendicular to the general coastline from points where the boundary lines of
the municipality touch the sea at low tide and a third line parallel with the general coastline
including offshore islands and fifteen (15) kilometers from such coastline. Where two (2)
municipalities are so situated on opposite shores that there is less than thirty (30) kilometers of
marine waters between them, the third line shall be equally distant from opposite shore of the
respective municipalities;

i. 'Watershed" refers to a land area drained by a stream or fixed body of water and its

tributaries having a common outlet for surface run-off,

j, "Wetland" refers to areas of marsh, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial,
permanent or temporary, with water that is static, flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, Including adjacent
areas of marine water, and

k. "State of the Coasts Reporting System" refers to a tool to assist the local government units
(LGUs) in assessing the progress and benefits of ICM implementation. It allows the LGUs to
document and measure the effectiveness and impacts of policy and management interventions in
‘support of sustainable coastal development and evaluate progress towards local, national, and
international targets for sustainable development.

CHAPTER IL
INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

SEC 5. National Coordinating Committee on 1014. - There is hereby established a National
Coordinating Committee on ICM, hereinafter referred to as the National Coordinating Committee,
to coordinate the review and implementation of the National ICM Framework. The DENR shall
provide secretariat support to the National Coordinating Committee.

The National Coordinating Committee shall be composed of the following:

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or
his/her designated representative as chairperson;

(b) The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) or his/her designated

representative as vice-chairperson;

(c) The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) or his/her

designated representative as vice-chairperson;


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(d) The Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) or
his/her designated representative as member;

(€) One representative from the academe who specializes in ICM as member;

(£) One representative from non-government organizations (NGOs) dealing with coastal

management or fisheries as member, and
(g) One representative from the private sector as member.

The designated permanent representatives shall be chosen in a process to be determined in
the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the National Coordinating Committee on ICM. - The
National Coordinating Committee shall exercise and perform the following powers and functions

(a) Formulate, adopt, institutionalize and amend, if necessary, the National ICM
Framework, in consultation with other concerned agencies, sectors and stakeholders within six (6)
months from the effectivity of this Act;

(b) Identify ICM management areas such as bays, lakes, gulfs, river basins, watersheds,
wetlands, protected areas, and other resources that are shared by two or more provinces and assign
the coordination of the formulation and implementation of the required Inter-Provincial ICM Plan
to the appropriate Regional Development Council;

(c) Initiate the establishment and consolidation of baseline data on ICM especially in

relation to biodiversity;
(d) Resolve conflicts arising from ICM between or among provinces; and

(e) Recommend to Congress for enactment of legislations or to the appropriate government

agency for issuance of policies.

SEC. 7. National ICM Framework. - The National ICM Framework shall provide direction,
support and guidance to the local government units (LGUs) and stakeholders in the development
and implementation of their local ICM plans. The National Coordinating Committee shall finalize
the National ICM Framework within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act.


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‘The National ICM Framework shall include the following components of the framework for
sustainable development of coastal areas:

(a) Goals and objectives;

(b) Strategies and action plans;

(c) Required policy or legislation;

(d) Information and public awareness campaign;

(e) Financing mechanisms; and

(f) Capacity building and National ICM Training Program

SEC. 8. Elements of the National ICM Framework. - The implementation of ICM Programs
shall take into account the following elements:

(a) An inter-agency, multi-sectoral mechanism to coordinate the efforts of different
agencies, sectors and administrative levels;

(b) People's participation In the formulation and implementation of the National ICM
Framework;

(c) Coastal strategies and action plans that provide a long-term vision and strategy for
sustainable development of the coastal areas; and a fixed-term program of actions specifying
responsible agencies or institutions for addressing priority issues and concerns,

(d) Public awareness program to increase the level of understanding and appreciation for the
coastal and marine resources of the area; and to promote a shared responsibility among stakeholders
in the planning and implementation of the National ICM Framework;

(e) Mainstreaming the National ICM Framework into the national and local government
planning and socio-economic development programs; and allocation of adequate financial and

human resources for its implementation;

(f) Capacity building programs to enhance required human resource skills, scientific Input to
policy and planning processes; and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with adopted
rules and regulations;


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(g) Integrated environmental monitoring for the purpose of measuring, evaluating and
reporting the status, progress and impacts of management programs against established sustainable
development indicators and for use in decision-making, public awareness and performance

evaluation;

(h) Investment opportunities and sustainable financing mechanisms for environmental

protection and improvement; and resource conservation;

(i) Disaster risk reduction and management as well as climate change adaptation and
mitigation programs; and

j) Knowledge management, research and development programs in such areas as carrying
capacity, limits to acceptable change, and enhancement of the analytical and predictive value of
scenarios for protecting sustainable futures.

SEC. 9. Coordination of ICM Matters at the Regional Level. - The Regional Development
Councils shall mainstream ICM in the formulation of Regional Development Plans and Priority
Framework, among other related documents,

SEC. 10. Coordination of ICM Matters at the Provincial Level. - The coordination of the
formulation and implementation of the ICM Plan at the provincial level shall be done by the
Provincial Development Council established under Section 107(c) of Republic Act No. 7160 or the
Local Government Code of 1991. however, instead of the Chairperson of the Committee on
Appropriation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan provided in Section 107(c) of R.A. 7160, the
Chairperson of the Committee on Environment of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall serve as the
second member of the Provincial Development Council that will coordinate in the formulation and
implementation of the ICM plan at the provincial level. Aside from the members mentioned under
Section 107 of R.A. 7160, representatives from Provincial Fisheries Office or from the Office of the
Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Tourism Office, and the private sector shall Join the Provincial
Development Council for the purpose of coordinating the formulation and implementation of the
Provincial ICM Plan.

In cases where two or more provinces share a common resource such as bays, gulfs, river
basins, lakes, watersheds, marine protected areas, marine biodiversity corridors, and upland
ecosystems, the coordination, support and assistance for the formulation, establishment and
implementation of the Inter-Provincial ICM Plan shall be provided by the concerned Regional
Development Council established under Executive Order No. 325, series of 1996. However, this


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provision shall not apply to provinces or common resources being shared by several LGUs which
have an existing ICM coordinating mechanism at the time of the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 11. Additional Functions of the Provincial Development Council. — Aside from the
functions enumerated under Section 109 of R.A. 7160, the Provincial Development Council shall:

(a) Formulate a Provincial ICM Plan in consultation with all the municipalities and city or

cities within the province;

(b) Submit the approved Provincial ICM Plan to the appropriate sanggunian and recommend
the issuance of an ordinance or ordinances to facilitate the institutionalization of ICM in the local

government programs;

(c) Submit the approved Provincial ICM Plan to the appropriate Regional Development
Council for integration with the Regional Development Plan for submission to NEDA;

(4) Coordinate the implementation of the Provincial ICM Plan among the relevant
municipalities and city or cities within the province;

(e) Coordinate the efforts of provinces sharing a resource to address issues that cut across
their political boundaries;

(f) Coordinate the establishment and consolidation of baseline data on ICM especially in
relation to biodiversity; and

(g) Resolve conflicts arising from ICM between or among municipalities or cities or
between an LGU and a body managing a specially administered area within the province.

SEC. 12. Coordination of ICM Matters at City and Municipal Levels. — The coordination of
the formulation and implementation of the ICM Plan at the city, whether highly urbanized city
(HUC), independent component city (ICC), or component city, and municipal levels shall be done
by the City or Municipal Development Council established under Section 107(b) of R.A. 7160.
However, instead of the Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriation of the Sangguniang
Panlungsod or Ruyan provided in Sec. 107 (b) (2) of R.A. 7160, the Chairperson of the Committee
on Environment of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Rayon shall serve as the second member of the
City or Municipal Development Council that will coordinate the formulation and implementation of
the ICM plan at the city or municipal levels. Aside from the members mentioned under Sec. 107 (b)
of R.A. 7160, representatives from the City or Municipal Fisheries Office or from the Office of the


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City or Municipal Agriculturist, City or Municipal Tourism Office, and the private sector shall koin
the City or Municipal Development Council for the purpose of coordinating the formulation and
implementation of the City or Municipal ICM Plan.

However, this provision shall not apply to cities or municipalities which have an existing

ICM coordinating mechanism at the time of the effectivity of this Act

SEC. 13. Additional Functions of the City or Municipal Development Council. - Aside from
the functions enumerated under Sec. 109 of R.A. 7160, the City or Municipal Development Council
shall:

(a) formulate a city or municipal ICM Plan in consultation with all the barangays within the
city or municipality;

(b) submit the approved ICM plan to the appropriate sanggunian and recommend the
issuance of an ordinance or ordinances to facilitate the institutionalization of ICM in the city or

municipal government programs;

(c) coordinate the implementation of the City or Municipal ICM Plan among the relevant
barangays;

(d) coordinate the efforts of barangays sharing a resource to address issues that cut across
their boundaries;

(e) coordinate the establishment and consolidation of baseline data on ICM especially in

relation to biodiversity; and

(£) resolve conflicts arising from ICM between or among barangays or between a barangay

and a specially managed or administered area within the city or municipality.

SEC. 14. Representation of Other Agencies and Stakeholders. - The LGUs shall consider
the representation in the development councils of other national agencies and stakeholder groups

that will be affected by issues on ICM.

SEC. 15. Assistance from LGUs and/or National Agencies. - The Local Development
Councils may call upon any local official or any official of national agencies or offices within the

LGU to assist in the formulation of local ICM plans. In providing technical assistance and other


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forms of support related to coastal management and the implementation of development plans, the
national government agencies shall give priority to LGUs with approved or existing ICM plans.

SEC. 16. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting of ICM Program. - The National
Coordinating Committee shall coordinate the preparation, consolidation and submission of an Initial
State of the Coasts Report one year after the effectivity of this Act based on available baseline data
gathered and such report shall be submitted to Congress. Every three (3) years thereafter, the
National Coordinating Committee shall coordinate the preparation, consolidation and submission of
State of the Coasts Report to the President and to Congress on the implementation of the local ICM
plans in line with the National ICM Framework. The LGUs shall submit their respective progress
reports on the implementation of their respective ICM plans to the National Coordinating
Committee.

The civil society organizations shall be involved in the monitoring of the implementation of
the National ICM Framework and local ICM plans.

SEC. 17. ICM Best Practices. - The National ICM Framework and local 1CM plans shall
promote the application of best practices which includes, among others, the following

(a) Coastal and marine use classification, marine spatial planning and harmonization of
comprehensive land and water use plan as management tools;

(b) Sustainable fisheries and conservation of living resources;

(c) Protection and rehabilitation of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, estuaries, and other
habitats, particularly through establishment of marine protected areas, nature reserves, and

sanctuaries;

(4) Development of management approaches for the conservation of upland watershed,

catchment areas, and river basins;

(e) Integrated waste management, including sewage and solid, hazardous, toxic, and other
wastes by major sources;

(f) Natural and man-made hazards management;
(g) Water use and supply management;

(h) Payment for ecosystem services and equitable allocation of costs and benefits;


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(i) Integrated and baywide law enforcement;

(j) Disaster risk reduction and management in coastal areas;
(k) Climate change adaptation and mitigation in coastal areas;
(1) Community-led natural resource management; and

(m) Recognition of the concerns of indigenous peoples.

SEC. 18. Incentives, - The National Coordinating Committee shall develop a recognition
and reward system for LGUs that:

(a) regularly update their ICM programs or plans once every five (5) years; and

(b) exhibit exemplary performance in the development and implementation of their
respective local ICM plans in accordance with the National 1CM Framework. The details of the
recognition and reward system will be provided in the implementing rules and regulations of this
Act.

SEC. 19. ICM Office. Each province may establish an ICM Office to act as the secretariat to
the Provincial Development Council with regard to ICM matters and to monitor the implementation
of the Provincial ICM Plan in consonance with the National ICM Framework. This may be an
office under the Provincial Planning and Development Office focused solely on matters or tasks
relating to ICM. Otherwise, the Provincial Planning and Development Office shall serve as the
secretariat to the Provincial Development Council.

Whenever the National Coordinating Committee deems it necessary, a city or municipality
shall also establish an 1CM Office to act as the secretariat to the City or Municipal Development
Council with regard to ICM matters and to monitor the implementation of the City or Municipal
ICM Plan in consonance with the Provincial ICM Plan and the National ICM Framework. This may
be an office under the City or Municipal Planning and Development Office focused solely on
matters or tasks relating to ICM. Otherwise, the City or Municipal Planning and Development
Office shall serve as the secretariat to the City or Municipal Development Council.

SEC. 20. Scientific Advisory Group. — Each province shall, as far as practicable, establish a
Scientific Advisory Group which shall ensure that ICM interventions have sound scientific basis. It
shall be composed of the following:


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(a) a representative from the academe who specializes in ICM or any related discipline;
(b) a representative from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);

(c) a representative from the DENR;

(d) a representative from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); and
(c)a representative from the Philippine Association of Marine Science (PAMS).

A city or municipality may also establish a Scientific Advisory Group for the same purpose
and the same composition as that of a province.

SEC. 21, Role of National Government Agencies. — All concerned national agencies shall
support the implementation of the National ICM Framework and local ICM plans and promote ICM
best practices that fall within their respective mandates. They shall identify, prepare, and provide
policy guidance and technical resource assistance to the DENR, the development councils, and the
LGUs in the implementation of the National ICM Framework and local ICM plans and in the
enforcement of relevant coastal and marine policies and regulations; and regional and international
commitments or treaties. These agencies shall directly consult with concerned LGUs in the
development and implementation of the National 1CM Framework and local ICM plans affecting
coastal and marine areas in their respective localities,

All government contracts entered into and permits issued by the government such as
foreshore lease agreements, forest management agreements, special land use permits, and mining
permits entered into or issued by the government and its instrumentalities shall be in conformity
with the National 1CM Framework and local 1CM plans.

SEC. 22. Consistency of Local (CM Plans) and National Programs and Plans with the
National ICM Framework. - LGUs and national agencies shall formulate and implement their ICM
plans and national programs and plans such as Tourism Development Plan and Infrastructure
Program, respectively, in consonance with the National ICM Framework. Existing 1CM plans shall
be reconciled and harmonized with the National ICM Framework.

SEC. 23. Specially Managed or Administered Areas. - Specially managed or administered
areas such as river basins, Water Quality Management Areas (WAQMAS) established under
Republic Act No. 9275, special economic zones, freeport zones, and protected areas, whether
established under Republic Act No. 7586 or by virtue of an ordinance, shall prepare their


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management plans in consonance with the ICM National Framework and relevant local ICM plans.
‘Their management plans shall incorporate ICM principles and best practices taking into account the
interlinkages between and among associated watersheds and wetlands.

SEC. 24. Review of Existing 1CM or Related Programs and Plans. - Provinces, cities,
municipalities, especially managed or administered areas such as special economic zones or
freeport zones, bays, lakes or marine protected areas (MPAs) with existing ICM or related programs
or plans shall review, revise, reconcile, and harmonize the same based on the National ICM
Framework within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act. Actual use shall be preferred over
future or reserve use: Provided, That all existing locational clearances and zoning permits issued by
the LGUs prior to the effectivity of this Act shall remain valid pending review of existing programs
and plans and zoning ordinances (ZUs) and they shall not be invalidated because of the sole reason
that the new and approved programs and plans and ZOs have determined that they should be
properly located in a different coastal use zoning area: Provided, further, That appropriate measures
shall be adopted by the LGU concerned, the landowner, and the developer should any existing
structures and facilities are found to be properly covered by a different coastal use zoning category
in areas where they are currently located: Provided, finally, That existing structures and facilities
within extremely hazardous and high risk danger zones which cannot be addressed by any
mitigating or protective measures shall be required to relocate.

SEC. 25. Role of LGUs. LGUs shall act as the frontline agencies in the formulation,
planning and implementation of ICM programs in their respective coastal and marine areas. The
local ICM plan shall be in line with the National ICM Framework and shall be prepared in
consultation with the stakeholders. The LGUs shall regularly update their respective ICM plans to
reflect emerging issues and changing social, economic, and environmental conditions. Also, the
LGUs shall ensure that their ICM plans shall be reflected in their annual work and investment
plans. The LGUs shall furnish the DENR, within one month from adoption, with copies of their
ICM plans and all subsequent amendments, modifications, and revisions. LGUs shall mobilize and
allocate the necessary personnel, resources and logistics to effectively implement their respective
ICM plans. Barangays shall be directly involved with municipal and city governments in
prioritizing coastal issues and identifying and implementing solutions. Municipal and city
governments shall consider ICM as one of their priority programs. Provincial governments shall
provide technical assistance, enforcement and information management in support of Municipal and
City ICM Plans.


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Inter-LGU collaboration shall be encouraged in the conduct of activities related to protecting
the country's coastal and marine resources.

SEC. 26. Roles of Civil Society and the Private Sector. - In the development and
implementation of the ICM program, the NGOs, civic organizations, people's organizations, the
academe, the private sector and other concerned stakeholder groups shall be engaged in activities
such as planning, community organizing, research, technology transfer, information sharing,
investment, training programs, and monitoring; and evaluation, response, and feedback systems.

SEC. 27. Supporting Activities. - The following activities shall be undertaken in support of
the implementation of ICM programs:

(a) ICM Education, The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) shall integrate the concept and basic principles of ICM into the primary, secondary, and
tertiary education curricula, as well as in the textbooks, primers and other educational materials;

(b) ICM Training Program for LGUs. The DENR and DILG, through the Local Government
Academy, shall develop and provide ICM training programs for LGUs. For this purpose, LGUs
may allocate funds for scholarships on tertiary and graduate courses relating to ICM or source funds
for such scholarships other than LGU funds;

(c) Environmental and Natural Resource Accounting and Valuation for ICM Planning. The
NEDA and the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) shall incorporate coastal and marine
resource accounting as well as estimates of their carrying capacity in the national and regional
accounts;

(d) Coastal and Marine Environmental Information Management System. The DENR shall
oversee the establishment and maintenance of a coastal and marine environmental information
management system and network, in collaboration with other concerned national government
agencies, institutions, LGUs, civil society organizations and other academic institutions. The DENR
shall promote the documentation and information dissemination of good practices as well as initiate
replication and scaling up of ICM programs in the country. The concerned agencies, however, shall
review the coastal and marine data prior to their public dissemination.


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CHAPTER III
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 28. Appropriations. - All concerned government agencies and LGUs shall allocate
from their annual appropriations adequate funds for the implementation of the ICM. In subsequent
budget proposals, the concerned offices and units shall appropriate funds for program and project
development and implementation including continuing ICM capacity building, training, and
education in ICM. LGUs shall pool their resources in establishing inter-LGU alliances in the
management of shared resources such as bays, gulfs, lakes, rivers, watersheds, marine biodiversity

corridors, and marine protected area networks within their jurisdiction.

SEC. 29. Other Funding Options. - The National Coordinating Committee, the local
development councils, the LGUs, and the national government agencies may source local and
international grants, bequests, and donations in support of ICM implementation.

‘The Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, the People's
Credit and Finance Corporation and other relevant government financial institutions shall formulate
and identify loan and financing mechanisms that will be made available to support local ICM
programs, including alternative livelihood projects for small-scale fisherfolks and cooperatives.

SEC. 30. Tax Exemption. - All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions
made to the National Coordinating Committee, the local development councils, the LGUs, and the
DENR that will be actually, directly, or exclusively used for the implementation of the ICM shall be
exempted from donor's tax and the same shall be allowed as deduction from the gross income of the
donor for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions
of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

SEC. 31. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR, in consultation with concerned
agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act
within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 32. Non-Impairment Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish,
impair, or repeal the prohibited acts under existing laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

ordinances, rules and regulations, and other issuances.

SEC. 33. Repealing Clause—All laws, decrees, executive orders or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC. 34. Separability Clause.—If any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other parts not otherwise affected shall remain in full effect and force.

SEC. 35. Effectivity.—This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its complete publication
in at least two newspapers of general publication.

Approved,