o( Il:r £•> H ’
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 2589
24 MAR-6 All :18
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT 
MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Under Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution, the State “shall protect and 
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the 
rhythm and harmony of nature.” The importance of our ecology and the vulnerability of 
the Philippines to the impacts of climate change and global warming is further 
emphasized with the passage of Republic Act No. 9729, entitled, the “Climate Change 
Act of 2009.” Under this law, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) was mandated to 
coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and private entities to address the 
vulnerability of regions, provinces, cities, and municipalities to the consequences of 
climate change.
Coastal communities are most susceptible to the negative impacts of climate 
change and are in dire need of protection. Exposed to different environmental risks and 
natural hazards, such as storm surges and flooding,1 coastal communities often seek the 
protection of mangrove ecosystems to ensure the safety of their lives and property. The 
2017 study of the World Bank Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem 
Services (WAVES) found that Philippine mangroves reduce flooding to 613,000 people
1 February 3, 2021. Towards Integration of Climate Disaster Risk and Waste Management: A Case Study of Urban and Rural Coastal 
Communities in the Philippines. Sustainability. Available at https://www.mdpi.eom/2071-1050/13/4/1624 (Accessed on August 10, 
2023).


annually. Without them, flooding and damages to infrastructure, property and people 
would increase by approximately 25% yearly.2
Despite its critical role in protecting coastal communities, mangrove forests remain 
low. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the 
estimated mangrove forest cover of the Philippines is around 311,400 hectares. This is 
equivalent to only 4.3% of the country's 7.23 million hectares total estimated forest cover.3
Thus, the rehabilitation of coastal and mangrove areas is of utmost importance. 
This has been reflected in its inclusion as one of the development components of the 
Enhanced National Greening Program of the DENR,4 together with other similar efforts, 
to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
To reinforce the current initiatives of the country, this bill mandates the DENR to 
prepare an integrated National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan (NCGMAP), 
together with the CCC and all agencies responsible for foreshore management, 
mangrove, beach forest protection, and others. The NCGMAP shall include criteria for 
identifying priority areas as coastal greenbelt areas, operational plans for their 
rehabilitation, and monitoring and evaluation.
LGUs are likewise mandated to create and implement their respective Local 
Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan (LCGMAP) to facilitate the implementation 
of the operational plans in the NCGMAP and provide local data and other supporting 
measures to national agencies. Incentives shall be granted to LGUs who submit their 
LCGMAPs or have been recognized for their effective establishment and/or management 
of coastal greenbelt areas.
Lastly, the respective roles and duties of key implementing agencies have been 
outlined with the bill to ensure that the development of coastal greenbelt areas in the 
country will be adequately coordinated towards the realization of the objectives of the bill.
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOEiyyiLLANUEVAr
2 
Valuing the Protection Services of Mangroves in the Philippines. World Bank, p.4. Available 
https://documents1 .worldbank.orq/curated/en/272251501076806254/pdf/117757-REVISED-Manqrove-Protection-Services-V2-
0727.pdf (Accessed on August 10, 2023).
3 Enhanced National Greening Program for 2024 Budget Hearing, submitted by the DENR.
4 Ibid.
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S' 
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. B. NO. 2589
24 MAR -6 A11 :1
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT 
MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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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 “National Coastal 
Greenbelt Act. ”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the constitutional right 
of the people to a healthful and balanced ecology. The State also acknowledges 
that as an archipelagic country, the Philippines and its local communities are 
vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and global warming. It shall, 
therefore, be the policy of the State to protect the lives and property of 
communities in the coastal areas from the impacts of typhoons, tsunamis and 
similar natural events.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall have the following meanings:
(a) 
Coastal Greenbelt Zone refers to strips of natural or planted coastal 
vegetation, stretching at least one hundred (100) meters in width from the 
sea towards land, primarily of mangrove and beach forest species, which 
are designed to prevent coastal erosion, and mitigate the adverse impacts 
of natural coastal hazards on human lives and property:
(b) 
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 areas within a landmark limit of one (1) kilometer from 
the shoreline at high tide to include mangrove swamps, brackish water


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ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy beaches and other areas 
within a seaward limit of 200 meters isobath to include coral reefs, algal 
flats, seagrass beds and other soft-bottom areas;
(c) 
Designated areas refer to site-specific stretches of vegetation in the 
coastal zone, defined in relation to risk factors and vulnerability to coastal 
hazards, and reserved for protection and maintenance under the National 
Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan. The area may undergo 
rehabilitation, reforestation, or afforestation with locally appropriate native 
species. Designated areas with abandoned fishponds require the 
reversion of these fishponds to mangroves through natural regeneration 
or replanting with locally and ecologically appropriate species. Designated 
areas with illegal structures, such as breakwaters, permanent 
residential/commercial structures, and the like require removal of such 
structures:
(d) 
Fisherfolk Settlement Areas refer to certain areas of the public domain, 
specifically near the fishing grounds, granted to or reserved for the 
settlement of municipal fisherfolks; and
(e) 
Mangroves refer to a community of intertidal plants in the tropics and 
subtropics, including all species of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs growing 
along tidal mudflats and shallow water coastal areas extending inland 
along rivers, streams, and their tributaries where the water is generally 
brackish.
SEC. 4. Creation of the National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action 
Plan (NCGMAP). - Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination 
with the Climate Change Commission (CCC), shall identify and convene all 
national agencies responsible for foreshore management, mangrove and 
beach forest protection and utilization, coastal land and sea-use planning, 
coastal tourism development, and social welfare of coastal communities for the 
preparation of an integrated National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action 
Plan (NCGMAP).
The NCGMAP shall, at the minimum, contain the following:
(a) 
Spatial representation, or if feasible, an inventory of the status of 
coastlines and foreshores, including the status of mangroves, beach 
forests, settlements, structures, and fishponds within one hundred (100) 
meters of coastlines, foreshores, mangroves or beaches;
(b) 
The criteria for the designation of priority areas as coastal greenbelt areas 
in each coastal province, city, and municipality. The designation shall be 
shall be based on the area’s vulnerability to storm surges, waves, 
tsunamis and other similar natural disasters: Provided, That the 
assessment of priority areas shall be accomplished within one (1) year 
from the completion of the NCGMAP; Provided, further, That (i) areas 
declared as protected areas in accordance with Republic Act No. 11038,


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or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) 
Act, (ii) fish refuge or sanctuaries as determined in accordance with 
Republic Act No. 8550, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654, or the 
Philippine Fisheries Code, and (iii) local marine protected areas as 
provided under municipal or city ordinances shall be automatically 
designated as priority areas;
(c) 
Operational plan for the rehabilitation, reforestation, or afforestation of 
designated priority coastal greenbelts with ecologically appropriate 
mangrove and beach forest species, not less than one hundred (100) 
meters in width; Provided, That existing forests or plantations greater than 
the minimum width shall not be reduced; Provided, further. That the 
program for rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation shall be 
community-based, long-term, and implemented through the local 
government concerned; Provided, further. That the program shall aim to 
cover at least twenty percent (20%) of the designated priority areas in the 
first five (5) years, while the remaining priority areas shall be completed 
within ten (10) years from their designation as such;
(d) 
Operational plan for the reversion of all abandoned fishponds to 
mangroves through natural regeneration or replanting with locally 
appropriate species; Provided, That the identification and recovery of 
possession from delinquent fishpond lease agreement holders shall be 
completed within twelve (12) months from the adoption of the NCGMAP;
(e) 
Operational plan for the removal of illegal structures in the identified 
priority coastal greenbelts; Provided, That such removal shall be 
completed within twelve (12) months from the start of rehabilitation, 
reforestation or afforestation of the areas;
(f) 
Monitoring and evaluation plan, with quantitative and qualitative targets 
for the implementation of the operational plans identified in subparagraphs 
(c), (d), and (e) of this Section, appropriate indicators, and reasonable 
means of verification; and
(g) 
The national incentive program, as provided under Section 6 of this Act, 
to encourage broader participation of local government units (LGUs) in 
the implementation of this Act.
The DENR and CCC shall lead the preparation of the NCGMAP not later than 
twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 5. Creation of the Local Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan 
(LCGMAP). - Each coastal province, city and municipality in the identified 
priority coastal greenbelt areas in the NCGMAP shall prepare a Local Coastal 
Greenbelt Management Action Plan (LCGMAP) to facilitate the implementation 
of the operational plans identified in the NCGMAP.
For this purpose, each province, city, and municipality shall:


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(a) 
Provide local data and other supporting measures to the agencies 
involved in the implementation of this Act;
(b) 
Implement complementary programs to assist affected local communities 
and local businesses, including providing appropriate relocation sites with 
basic services, such as livelihood and transportation programs, and 
zoning or re-zoning of priority coastal greenbelt areas, as appropriate;
(c) 
Provide an actual inventory of affected families in designated areas to 
ensure that a legal, just, fair, and humane process of relocation is carried 
out;
(d) 
Lead the rehabilitation, reforestation, and afforestation of coastal 
communities;
(e) 
Integrate the identified coastal greenbelt zones in its comprehensive land 
use plan; and
(f) 
Provide relevant data and qualitative feedback to the Key Implementing 
Agencies identified in Section 8 of this Act.
The LCGMAP shall be consistent with and/or integrated into the local 
development plan, comprehensive land use plan, local climate change action 
plan, and other relevant plans.
The relevant agencies of the National Government, in coordination with the 
provincial government, shall provide the necessary technical and budgetary 
support to component coastal cities and municipalities and ensure consistency 
across contiguous LGUs sharing common priority coastal greenbelt areas. 
Highly urbanized cities shall likewise provide support to component barangays 
under their jurisdiction.
The LCGMAP shall be submitted to the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), the DENR and the CCC to ensure convergence with the 
NCGMAP.
SEC. 6. Incentives. - LGUs that have (i) submitted their LCGMAPs to the 
DILG, DENR, and CCC, or (ii) been recognized by the DILG, DENR and/or CCC 
for their effective establishment and/or management of coastal greenbelt areas, 
may be entitled to receive grants and incentives to build technical capacities in 
implementing the LCGMAP and supporting programs which are in line with the 
objectives of this Act.
SEC. 7. National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC). - The DENR, in 
coordination with the CCC, shall convene a National Technical Advisory 
Committee (NTAC) composed of:
(a) 
A representative from the DENR;
(b) 
A representative from the CCC;


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(c) 
A representative from the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Bureau of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR);
(d) 
A representative from the DILG;
(e) 
Two experts in mangrove and beach forest ecosystems, oceanography, 
or other related disciplines; and
(f) 
A representative from a non-government organization or a people’s 
organization that demonstrates capacity to promote the public interest and 
with identifiable leadership, membership and structure and has been 
actively involved in mangrove research.
Provided, That the representatives of government agencies shall not have a 
rank lower than an Assistant Secretary.
The NTAC shall provide guidance in the design, implementation, and evaluation 
of actions under the NCGMAP. The experts shall serve the NTAC without 
compensation but may be reimbursed for basic expenses to attend meetings 
and prepare technical reports.
SEC. 8. Role of Key Implementing Agencies. - The following agencies shall 
take the lead in implementing components of the NCGMAP that are relevant to 
their mandates:
(a) 
The DENR, through the Biodiversity Management Bureau and the Forest 
Management Bureau, among others, shall be the primary agency 
responsible for the implementation of the NCGMAP and shall provide 
other implementing agencies with all the relevant information to aid in the 
monitoring and evaluation of the NCGMAP. It shall also lead the 
identification of designated areas that must be expropriated;
(b) 
The CCC shall be responsible for convening the relevant government 
agencies, monitoring the implementation of the NCGMAP, facilitating 
public participation in crafting the NCGMAP, ensuring the integration of 
the NCGMAP into the LCGMAP, and preparing the annual report to 
Congress provided under Section 11 of this Act;
(c) 
The DA, through the BFAR, shall coordinate with the DENR for the 
reversion of all abandoned fishponds to mangroves through natural 
regeneration, replanting with locally appropriate species, and 
implementation of fisherfolk settlement program in line with existing laws 
and programs. It shall also provide the CCC with all relevant information 
to aid in the monitoring and evaluation of the NCGMAP;
(d) 
The DILG, in coordination with the DENR, CCC and DA-BFAR, shall 
provide technical guidance to, and supervision over, provinces, cities, and 
municipalities in establishing their local coastal greenbelt zones and in 
developing appropriate LCGMAP, including designing and implementing


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community-based and ecologically appropriate rehabilitation, 
reforestation, and afforestation programs, and monitoring and evaluating 
the implementation of the LCDs’ programs and action plans; and
(e) The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development 
(DHSUD), in coordination with the concerned LCD, shall provide for the 
relocation of the families or individuals who will be affected by the 
implementation of this Act.
SEC. 9. Penalties. - In addition to the penalties provided under existing laws, 
the following acts shall be penalized:
(a) 
Obstructing or preventing the removal of illegal structures or the reversion 
of abandoned fishponds: An administrative fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(P50,000.00) per day that the agency is prevented from performing its 
function;
(b) 
Construction of structures within the coastal greenbelt zones without the 
appropriate permit: An administrative fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(P50,000.00) per day from the time that the structure was built until its 
removal.
Proceeds from the imposition of administrative fines under this Section shall be 
retained by the agency imposing such fines and shall be used exclusively for 
the implementation of its mandate under this Act.
Legal actions filed in the exercise of rights and enforcement of obligations under 
this Act shall also be covered under the Philippine Fisheries Code, as amended, 
and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.
SEC. 10. Annual Report to Congress. - The CCC shall consolidate and 
prepare the reports of all Key Implementing Agencies regarding the 
accomplishment of the quantitative and qualitative targets under the NCGMAP. 
The report shall be submitted to the President and the Congress of the 
Philippines not later than June 30 of each year.
SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, CCC and all concerned agencies, upon 
prior consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall issue the implementing rules 
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 12. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause.-AW laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations 
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.


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SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions hereof.
SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its 
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,