1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by Representative Wilbert T. Lee 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING 
STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND 
MARINE ECOSYSTEM AND RESOURCES  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution under Article XII, Section 2 provides that “[t]he State shall 
protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive 
economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.” 
The Philippines, known as the "Pearl of the Orient Seas," is an archipelagic country in 
Southeast Asia made up of 7,641 islands. Its whole coastline is 36,289 km (22,548.9 mi). The 
Babuyan Channel to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Celebes and Sulu Seas to the 
south, and the West Philippine Sea to the west encircle the country. The said bodies of water 
play a crucial role in Filipinos' transportation, food, trade, and economic development. We 
are obliged to make the most of the benefits of the sea. 
Ocean economy, as defined in the Philippine Ocean Economy Satellite Accounts 
report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), refers to economic activities that take 
place in or near the ocean or receive outputs from or provide inputs to the ocean. In the said 
report, the ocean economy grew by 6.7 percent in 2021, posting a gross value added (GVA) 
of PhP 707.80 billion from PhP 663.06 billion in 2020. The largest share in the ocean 
economy is the Ocean fishing accounting of the share of 33.9 percent of the total ocean 
economy, equivalent to PhP 239.74 billion. This was followed by Manufacture of Ocean-
based Products at 23.0 percent equivalent to PhP 163.12 billion, Sea-based Transportation 
and Storage at 14.8 percent equivalent to PhP 104.44 billion.  
 In the same report, ocean-based industries employ 1.99 million Filipinos with a share 
of 4.5 percent of the total employment in 2021, lower than the 4.8 percent share recorded in 
2020. Fisherfolks, nevertheless, had the highest poverty incidence rate in the PSA’s 
August 15, 2023
9:15 am
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2 
preliminary projection for 2021, at 30.6 percent which is much higher than the 26.2 percent 
in 2018.1 
Likewise, the Philippines, located in the Coral Triangle, is center of the center of the 
marine biodiversity. Unfortunately, this biodiversity hotspot is neglected as human activities 
such as overexploitation, pollution, and climate change have damaged the country’s coral 
reefs, mangrove forests, and endangered species.2 As a result, there is a threat to the food 
security, fisheries, marine conservation, and tourism.  
Thus, this measure aims to protect and sustainably develop the Philippine marine 
resources to ensure that the country continues to benefit from it for the present and future 
generations. This also establishes the National Maritime Council to coordinate the 
implementation to balance economic growth and environmental conservation. Through this 
measure, the Philippine government shall (1) adopt a blue economy framework for the 
sustainable development and safe use of marine wealth within the country's Maritime Zones; 
(2) exercise stewardship of the seas and coasts, protect and conserve marine and coastal
ecosystems and habitats, preserve the maritime heritage, and foster international cooperation;
and (3) ensure a whole-of-nation approach to the stewardship of the seas and coasts to
facilitate cohesive action of the National Government, local authorities, academe, non-
governmental organizations, the private sector, and the public.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
1 Philippine Statistics Authority. 2023. Fisherfolks and Farmers Remain to Have the Highest Poverty Incidences 
Among the Basic Sectors in 2021. March 23. Accessed at: https://psa.gov.ph/content/fisherfolks-and-farmers-
remain-have-highest-poverty-incidences-among-basic-sectors-2021. 
2 Asian Development Bank. 2014. State of the Coral Triangle: Philippines. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: 
Asian Development Bank.  


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by Representative Wilbert T. Lee 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING 
STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND 
MARINE ECOSYSTEM AND RESOURCES  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
1 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
2 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Blue Economy Act of 
4 
2023.” 
5 
6 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It shall be the policy of the State to: 
7 
8 
a.
Adopt blue economy as a framework for sustainable and safe use and development of
9 
marine wealth within our Maritime Zones, as a pillar of our national economy and
10 
patrimony;
11 
12 
b. Exercise stewardship of our seas and coasts, and protect and conserve the health and
13 
resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats to promote the well-being,
14 
prosperity and security of present and future generations;
15 
16 
c.
Preserve our maritime heritage, recognize the social, cultural, and historical value of
17 
our seas and coasts, and foster public understanding and respect of the value of our
18 
seas and coasts to build a strong foundation for social responsibility;
19 
20 
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2 
d. Enrich scientific understanding of marine and coastal ecosystems, the benefits we 
1 
gain from these ecosystems (e.g. carbon sequestration), their changing conditions and 
2 
the causes thereof, and use the best available scientific knowledge to inform decisions 
3 
affecting our seas and coasts and to enhance our capacity to respond and adapt to 
4 
changing maritime environments; 
5 
 
6 
e. Foster international cooperation, and exercise rights and jurisdiction in accordance 
7 
with applicable international laws, including on freedom of navigation;  
8 
 
9 
f. Strategically address the factors that adversely affect the oceans and the living and 
10 
non-living resources that comprise our seas, turning threats into opportunities and 
11 
preventing further harm to all water bodies including land-based pollution; 
12 
 
13 
g. Ensure a whole-of-nation approach and a comprehensive, integrated framework for 
14 
the stewardship of our seas and coasts to facilitate cohesive action of the National 
15 
Government, local authorities, academe, non-governmental organizations, the private 
16 
sector, and the public. 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
19 
 
20 
a. Aquaculture refers to the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, mollusks, 
21 
crustaceans and aquatic plants. Farming implies some sort of intervention in the 
22 
rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection 
23 
from predators, etc. Farming also implies individual or corporate ownership of the 
24 
stock being cultivated, the planning, development and operation of aquaculture 
25 
systems, sites, facilities and practices, and the production and transport; 
26 
 
27 
b. Aquasilviculture refers to a multi-purpose production system that allows production 
28 
of fish in a mangrove reforestation project; 
29 
 
30 
c. Blue economy refers to a practical ocean-based economic model using green 
31 
infrastructure and technologies, innovative financing mechanisms, and proactive 
32 
institutional arrangements for meeting the twin goals of protecting our oceans and 
33 
coasts and enhancing its potential contribution to sustainable development, including 
34 
improving human well-being, and reducing environmental risks and ecological 
35 
scarcities; 
36 
 
37 
d. Commercial fishing refers to the harvesting of fish, either in whole or in part, for sale, 
38 
barter or trade; 
39 
 
40 
e. Ecosystem services refer to the flow of benefits which humans gain from ecosystems, 
41 
through biological processes and climate, hydrological and biochemical cycles, and 
42 
experiences that contribute to intangible culture; 
43 
 
44 
f. Environmental-economic accounting refers to a systematic way to measure and report 
45 
on stocks and flows of natural assets and resources – both biotic and abiotic, 
46 
renewable and non-renewable – and ecosystem services, to determine the contribution 
47 
of the environment to the economy and the impact of the economy on the 
48 
environment; 
49 
 
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3 
g. Environmental-economic accounts refer to statistical information, in physical or 
1 
monetary terms, about the extraction of natural resources, their use within the 
2 
economy, natural resource stock levels, the changes in those stocks during a specific 
3 
period, and such other economic activities related to the environment; 
4 
 
5 
h. Integrated marine and coastal area management refers to a participatory process for 
6 
decision-making to prevent, control, or mitigate adverse impacts from human 
7 
activities in the marine and coastal environment, and to contribute to the restoration of 
8 
degraded coastal areas; 
9 
 
10 
i. Investment promotion agencies refer to government entities created by law, executive 
11 
order, decree or other issuance, in charge of promoting investments, granting and 
12 
administering tax and non-tax incentives, and overseeing the operations of the 
13 
different economic zones and freeports in accordance with their respective special 
14 
laws. These include the Board of Investments (BOI), Regional Board of Investments-
15 
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-ARMM), Philippine Economic 
16 
Zone Authority (PEZA), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), 
17 
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), 
18 
John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), Poro Point Management Corporation 
19 
(PPMC), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Zamboanga City Special 
20 
Economic Zone Authority (ZCSEZA), PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (PIA), Aurora 
21 
Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), Authority of the Freeport 
22 
Area of Bataan (AFAB), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority 
23 
(TIEZA), and all other similar existing authorities or that may be created by law; 
24 
 
25 
j. Land-based pollution – Municipal, industrial, and agricultural wastes and run-off 
26 
including but not limited to sewage and waste water, persistent organic pollution 
27 
(including pesticides), heavy metals, oils, nutrients and sediments – whether brought 
28 
by rivers or discharged directly into coastal waters; 
29 
 
30 
k. Mariculture refers to the farming of organisms, both plants and animals, in an aquatic 
31 
medium or environment which may be completely marine (sea), or sea water mixed to 
32 
various degrees with fresh water. This definition would include both the sea and 
33 
inland brackishwater areas; 
34 
 
35 
l. Marine scientific research refers to any research activity, which is conducted for 
36 
exclusively peaceful purposes, for the purpose of increasing scientific knowledge 
37 
about the marine environment, including all natural resources, toward the benefit of 
38 
mankind and according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 
39 
(UNCLOS); 
40 
 
41 
m. Maritime domain awareness refers to the effective understanding of any activity that 
42 
could impact upon the security, safety, economy or environment; 
43 
 
44 
n. Maritime spatial planning refers to a process by which human activities in Maritime 
45 
Zones are analyzed and organized, based on best available scientific knowledge, and 
46 
to achieve economic, ecological and social objectives; 
47 
 
48 


 
4 
o. Ocean-based activities refer to activities that are undertaken in the ocean, e.g., 
1 
fisheries and aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, mining, ocean energy, desalination, 
2 
shipping and marine transportation, marine tourism, marine construction; 
3 
 
4 
p. Ocean-related activities refer to activities that use products from the ocean (e.g., 
5 
seafood processing, marine biotechnology, chemicals, salt, etc.) and produce products 
6 
and services for the ocean and ocean-based activities (e.g., ship building and repair, 
7 
ports, tourist resorts, communication, maritime insurance and law, maritime technical 
8 
services, etc.); 
9 
 
10 
q. Subsistence 
fishing – 
fishing for 
personal 
consumption or 
11 
traditional/ceremonial purposes; 
12 
 
13 
r. Ocean literacy refers to an understanding of the ocean’s influence on humans and 
14 
human influence on the ocean. 
15 
 
16 
SEC. 4. Scope of Application. – For purposes of this Act, the Philippines shall exercise 
17 
sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, in accordance with international law, as 
18 
appropriate, in internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive 
19 
economic zone and continent shelf, herein collectively referred to as “Maritime Zones”, 
20 
including its seabed and subsoil, and any and all maritime features within the Maritime Zones 
21 
now known or to be known in the future, without prejudice to the power, authority and right 
22 
granted exclusively to the Bangsamoro Government under Republic Act No. 11054, also 
23 
known as the “Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” 
24 
to explore, develop, and utilize natural resources within its territorial jurisdiction.  
25 
 
26 
CHAPTER II 
27 
NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL 
28 
 
29 
SEC. 5. National Maritime Council. – The National Coast Watch Council, created 
30 
under Executive Order No. 57, Series of 2011, is hereby renamed and reconstituted as the 
31 
National Maritime Council, herein referred to as the “Council,” and its functions expanded to 
32 
include the formulation of an integrated strategy to promote blue economy and ecosystem-
33 
based management of coastal and marine resources. 
34 
 
35 
SEC. 6. Composition. – The Council is composed of the following: 
36 
 
37 
a. Executive Secretary, as Chairperson;  
38 
b. Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning; 
39 
c. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources;  
40 
d. Secretary of National Defense; 
41 
e. Secretary of Foreign Affairs;  
42 
f. Secretary of Justice; 
43 
g. Secretary of the Interior and Local Government;  
44 
h. Secretary of Agriculture; 
45 
i. Secretary of Tourism; 
46 
j. Secretary of Transportation; 
47 
k. Secretary of Trade and Industry;  
48 
l. Secretary of Energy; 
49 
m. Secretary of Science and Technology; and  
50 


 
5 
n. Secretary of Finance. 
1 
 
2 
Department Secretaries may designate an Undersecretary, whose portfolio covers matters 
3 
directly or principally relating to the development or management of coastal and marine 
4 
resources and ecosystems, if applicable. They shall sit in a permanent capacity, and their acts 
5 
shall be considered the acts of their principals. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 7. Secretariat. – The Coastal Watch Council Secretariat, created under Section 4 of 
8 
Executive Order No. 57, Series of 2011, is hereby renamed as the National Maritime Office 
9 
and shall continue to provide technical and administrative support to the Council. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 8. Support Agencies. – Section 6 of Executive Order No. 57, Series of 2011 is 
12 
hereby amended to include the following agencies to provide material or technical support to 
13 
the Council, as may be deemed necessary: 
14 
 
15 
a. Climate Change Commission 
16 
b. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; 
17 
c. Board of Investments; 
18 
d. Securities and Exchange Commission;  
19 
e. Philippine Statistics Authority; 
20 
f. National Mapping and Resources Information Authority;  
21 
g. Environmental Management Bureau; 
22 
h. Biodiversity Management Bureau-Coastal and Marine Division;  
23 
i. Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards; 
24 
j. Philippine Fisheries Development Authority; 
25 
k. Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries;  
26 
l. Maritime Industry Authority;  
27 
m. Philippine Ports Authority; 
28 
n. Philippine Reclamation Authority; 
29 
o. Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and 
30 
Development; 
31 
p. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration; 
32 
q. Department of Foreign Affairs-Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office; 
33 
r. National Museum-Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division;  
34 
s. National Anti-Poverty Commission; 
35 
t. Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural 
36 
Resources; 
37 
u. Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau; 
38 
v. Environmental Management Bureau; 
39 
w. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; 
40 
x. University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute; and 
41 
y. Investment promotion agencies. 
42 
 
43 
In order to ensure the efficient and effective discharge of its responsibilities, the Council shall 
44 
create working groups, and call upon other departments, bureaus, offices and 
45 
instrumentalities of the Government, and academic and research institutions engaged in 
46 
marine science and ocean-based or ocean-related activities to participate in working groups, 
47 
as it may deem necessary to precisely perform their mandates to manage and synchronize 
48 
many overlapping functions. 
49 
 
50 


 
6 
CHAPTER III 
1 
POLICY FRAMEWORK ON BLUE ECONOMY 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 9. Policy Framework on Blue Economy. – The Council shall, within six (6) 
4 
months from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a Policy Framework on Blue Economy, 
5 
herein referred to as the Policy Framework taking into considering the 1994 National Marine 
6 
Policy. The Policy Framework shall serve as the basis for marine spatial planning, 
7 
determination of investments to enhance maritime domain awareness, and enforcement of 
8 
economic and environmental regulations within our Maritime Zones. The Policy Framework 
9 
shall be subject to mandatory review and modification every five (5) years. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 10. Components of the Policy Framework on Blue Economy. – The Policy 
12 
Framework shall include the following components: 
13 
 
14 
a. Review of all existing policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and regulations on 
15 
ocean-based and ocean-related activities; 
16 
 
17 
b. Adherence to international maritime laws and protocols; 
18 
 
19 
c. Analysis of current and emerging trends and changes in demography, consumption, 
20 
trade, technology and climate that show the interaction between the economy and the 
21 
environment, and present threats and pressures on coastal and marine environments; 
22 
 
23 
d. Environmental-economic accounting of coastal and marine assets and resources, and 
24 
ecosystem services from coastal and marine environments; 
25 
 
26 
e. Priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based and ocean-related economic activities, 
27 
which may include: 
28 
 
29 
1) Fisheries, including commercial fishing, but with preference to subsistence 
30 
fisheries, as mandated by Section 7, Art. XIII, of the Constitution; 
31 
2) Aquaculture, mariculture and aquisilviculture; 
32 
3) Marine and coastal tourism; 
33 
4) Environmentally and hydrologically appropriate reclamation;  
34 
5) Shipping, logistics and maritime transport;  
35 
6) Ship-building and ship repair; 
36 
7) Exploration, exploitation and extraction of oil and natural gas;  
37 
8) Production of renewable energy from marine sources; 
38 
9) Submarine mining or extraction of minerals and aggregates;  
39 
10) Installation of submarine cables and pipelines; 
40 
11) Bioremediation, Marine biotechnology and bioprospecting;  
41 
12) Desalination; and 
42 
13) Underwater cultural heritage and maritime archaeology. 
43 
 
44 
f. Guiding framework for integrated marine and coastal area management; 
45 
 
46 
g. Guiding framework for blue finance; 
47 
 
48 
h. Priority research and development agenda; 
49 
 
50 


 
7 
i. Promotion of ocean literacy and social responsibility towards the protection of coastal 
1 
and marine environments; 
2 
 
3 
j. Enhancement of capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and civilian 
4 
agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations to protect our marine wealth; 
5 
 
6 
k. Goals, targets and indicators for growth, resilience and sustainability of priority 
7 
strategic and sustainable ocean-based and ocean-related activities, including its 
8 
contribution to Gross Domestic Product and job creation. 
9 
 
10 
CHAPTER IV 
11 
ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL MARITIME INSTRUMENTS 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 11. International Maritime Instruments. – The Council shall establish 
14 
mechanisms for the full and effective implementation and enforcement of the following 
15 
international maritime instruments and their subsequent amendments and the reporting of 
16 
compliance and adherence to the President and Congress: 
17 
 
18 
a. Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna; 
19 
b. UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage;  
20 
c. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, and its 
21 
Protocol of 1988 (SOLAS 74); 
22 
d. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and its Protocol 
23 
of 1978 (MAPROL 73/78); 
24 
e. Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as 
25 
amended (COLREG 72); 
26 
f. International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 and its Protocol of 1988, as amended 
27 
(LL 66); 
28 
g. International Convention on the Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 (TONNAGE 
29 
69); 
30 
h. Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime 
31 
Navigation, 1988 (SUA) and its Protocol;  
32 
i. International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 
33 
1990 (OPRC 1990); 
34 
j. International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water 
35 
and Sediments, 2004 (BWM 2004); 
36 
k. Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by dumping of Wastes and Other 
37 
Matter, 1972, as amended, and its 1996 Protocol (LCP); 
38 
l. Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement, 1971 (STP 71); 
39 
m. Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization, as amended (IMSO 
40 
1976) and its Operating Agreement (INMARSAT); 
41 
n. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 
42 
for Seafarers, 1978, As Amended (STCW 78); 
43 
o. International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 
44 
2001 (AFS 2001); 
45 
p. Protocol of 1992 to Amend the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil 
46 
Pollution Damage, 1969; 
47 
q. Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on the Establishment of an 
48 
International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971; 
49 
 
50 


 
8 
SEC. 12. Application. – Unless otherwise indicated, the international conventions 
1 
enumerated in the preceding section shall apply to: 
2 
 
3 
a. All ships, whether seagoing or coastwise, which are registered under the Philippine 
4 
flag; 
5 
b. All persons, partnerships, corporations, firms and other entities duly registered or 
6 
licensed in the Philippines to engage in ocean-based or ocean-related enterprise, or 
7 
those acting on their behalf; 
8 
c. All foreign ships that are within the waters, ports, harbors, and offshore terminals of 
9 
the Philippines regardless of whether or not they are registered in, or belong to, State 
10 
Parties to the conventions sought to be implemented by this Act; 
11 
d. All entities that have land-based activities with substantial positive or adverse impact 
12 
on the marine ecosystem.  
13 
 
14 
CHAPTER V 
15 
ENVIRONMENTAL-ECONOMIC ACCOUNTING 
16 
 
17 
SEC. 13. Environmental-Economic Accounting. – The Council shall undertake 
18 
environmental-economic accounting of maritime ecosystems and resources, based on the 
19 
United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounting. Members of the Council 
20 
and heads of support agencies shall contribute data on environmental-economic accounts 
21 
relating to their mandates including their damage estimation and sea level rise projections. 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 14. Framework. – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shall develop a 
24 
framework for the collection, compilation, processing, analysis, publication and 
25 
dissemination of environmental-economic accounts and its integration in the national 
26 
accounts: Provided, That PSA shall integrate the collection of environmental-economic 
27 
accounts into the Community-Based Monitoring System for local government units (LGUs); 
28 
Provided, further, That the PSA shall coordinate with and provide technical assistance to 
29 
Members of the Council, support agencies, investment promotion agencies and LGUs to 
30 
ensure 
compliance 
to 
standard 
environmental-economic 
accounting 
techniques, 
31 
methodologies, concepts, definitions and classifications to prevent duplication in collection 
32 
of statistical information.  
33 
 
34 
CHAPTER VI 
35 
INTEGRATED MARINE AND COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT 
36 
 
37 
SEC. 15. Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management (IMCAM). – The 
38 
Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management (IMCAM) shall be the framework to 
39 
address human impacts on marine and coastal biological diversity, and for promoting 
40 
conservation and sustainable use of this biodiversity. 
41 
 
42 
SEC. 16. Elements of the National IMCAM Framework. – The Council shall 
43 
develop and implement the National IMCAM Framework within one (1) year from the 
44 
effectivity of this Act to provide direction, support and guidance to relevant member and 
45 
support agencies, LGUs and other stakeholders, according to the Elaborated Programme of 
46 
Work on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity contained in the Annex to Decision VII/5 
47 
of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Environmental Programme Convention 
48 
on Biological Diversity. 
49 
 
50 


 
9 
Accordingly, the National IMCAM Framework shall consider the following elements: 
1 
 
2 
a. Building capacity of stakeholders, in both national and local levels, to apply relevant 
3 
policy instruments to address legal issues, institutionalize participatory processes, and 
4 
develop strategies to promote multidisciplinary and multisectoral ecosystem-based 
5 
management of coastal and marine environments; 
6 
 
7 
b. Direct action to protect coastal and marine environments from negative impacts, such 
8 
as: 
9 
i. Alteration and destruction, of coastal and marine habitats, particularly areas 
10 
important for reproduction, inter alia, coral reef systems, sea grass areas and 
11 
the sea bed; 
12 
ii. Marine and land-based pollution; 
13 
iii. Improper coastal land use and the mismanagement of watersheds; 
14 
iv. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, by-catch especially of threatened 
15 
species; 
16 
 
17 
c. Establishment of mechanisms and guidelines for research, monitoring and assessment 
18 
of coastal and marine ecosystems and resources, including indicators to measure 
19 
natural and human-induced impacts. 
20 
 
21 
CHAPTER VII 
22 
PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES 
23 
 
24 
SEC. 17. Protection of Endangered Species. – The Council shall spearhead the 
25 
conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of rare, threatened and endangered aquatic species 
26 
as it may determine, including their habitats and migratory routes such as the East Asian 
27 
Current. It shall recommend to the President and Congress the designation of coastal and 
28 
marine areas as protected areas under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas 
29 
System, or sanctuaries of local conservation areas under the Fisheries Code and the Local 
30 
Government Code, and in compliance with the relevant provisions of international treaties 
31 
and agreements such as, the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of 
32 
Wild Flora and Fauna, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and Convention 
33 
on Biological Diversity.  
34 
 
35 
SEC. 18. Policy Coordination. – The Council shall harmonize rules and regulations 
36 
of all relevant agencies responsible for the implementation and enforcement of laws to 
37 
prevent and eliminate illegal fishing such as Republic Act (RA) No. 8550, also known as the 
38 
“Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998,” as amended by RA 10654. 
39 
 
40 
CHAPTER VIII 
41 
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING 
42 
 
43 
SEC. 19. Maritime Spatial Planning. – The Council shall undertake a nationwide 
44 
maritime spatial planning to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of priority activities 
45 
and uses and the interactions thereof in Maritime Zones, in order to reduce conflict among 
46 
uses, facilitate complementary uses, mitigate environmental impacts, and preserve ecosystem 
47 
services. 
48 
 
49 


 
10 
SEC. 20. Industry Development Plans. – The Council, through working groups 
1 
created for the purpose, shall prepare five-year and ten-year development plans for each 
2 
priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based or ocean-related industry, in accordance with 
3 
the Policy Framework. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 21. Integration with Area and National Development Plans. – The National 
6 
Economic and Development Authority shall integrate the maritime spatial plan and industry 
7 
development plans into the Philippine Development Plan, the National Priority Plan, the 
8 
National Physical Framework Plan, and Area Spatial Development Framework. 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 22. Inclusion in Strategic Investment Priority Plan. – The Council shall 
11 
recommend to the Board of Investments the inclusion of identified priority strategic ocean-
12 
based and ocean-based activities in the Strategic Investment Priority Plan. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 23. Blue Economic Zones. – Investment promotion agencies shall encourage 
15 
the establishment of blue economic zones and the transformation of existing special 
16 
economic zones (SEZs) into the same, where locator enterprises engaged in ocean-based or 
17 
ocean-related activities shall enjoy the privileges, benefits, advantages or exemptions granted 
18 
to economic zones and freeports in accordance with their respective special laws. 
19 
 
20 
In addition, the incentives provided for under the following laws may be granted to blue 
21 
SEZs: 
22 
 
23 
a. RA 9003, or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000;”  
24 
b. RA 9275, or the “Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004;” 
25 
c. RA 9513, or the “Renewable Energy Act of 2008;” and  
26 
d. RA 10771, or the “Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016.” 
27 
 
28 
Blue SEZs may also qualify for financing provided for under RA 11293, or the “Philippine 
29 
Innovation Act.” 
30 
 
31 
CHAPTER IX 
32 
BLUE FINANCE 
33 
 
34 
SEC. 24. Role of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). – In the exercise of its 
35 
regulatory powers over financial institutions, the BSP shall mandate banks and quasi-banks to 
36 
adopt the United Nations Environment Programme Sustainable Blue Economy Finance 
37 
Principles as a foundation of corporate governance and risk management. 
38 
 
39 
SEC. 25. Role of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). – The SEC shall 
40 
encourage the issuance of blue bonds where proceeds will be exclusively applied to finance 
41 
or refinance, in part or in full, strategic, and sustainable ocean-based or ocean-related 
42 
activities, in accordance with ASEAN Green Bonds Standards and Green Bonds Principles, 
43 
as developed and may be revised from time to time by the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum 
44 
and the International Capital Market Association, respectively. 
45 
 
46 
SEC. 26. Role of Government Financial Institutions. – The Land Bank of the 
47 
Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines shall allocate five percent (5%) of 
48 
its regular loan portfolio for credit to strategic and sustainable ocean-based or ocean-related 
49 
enterprises. 
50 


 
11 
 
1 
CHAPTER X 
2 
MARINE SCIENCE AND OCEAN LITERACY 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 27. Marine Scientific Research and Development. – The State recognizes 
5 
marine science as a foundation of maritime governance, insofar as rules governing the use of 
6 
coastal and marine resources must be based on the sound scientific understanding of the 
7 
marine environment. In accordance with UNCLOS, the Philippines has the exclusive rights to 
8 
regulate, authorize and conduct marine scientific research in our internal waters, archipelagic 
9 
waters and territorial sea; whereas, the Philippines has rights to regulate, authorize and 
10 
conduct maritime research in our exclusive economic zone and continental shelf: Provided, 
11 
That the unified marine scientific research activities shall not unjustifiably interfere with 
12 
other legitimate uses of the sea and shall not constitute the legal basis for any claim to any 
13 
part of the marine environment or its resources.  
14 
 
15 
Marine scientific research by foreign states and competent international organizations 
16 
may only be conducted with the express consent of and the conditions set forth by the 
17 
Council, in accordance with the UNCLOS. 
18 
 
19 
SEC. 28. Ocean Literacy Framework. – The Department of Education (DepEd), 
20 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development 
21 
Authority (TESDA) and other government agencies implementing sector-specific literacy 
22 
programs, in consultation with relevant Members of the Council or support agencies, shall 
23 
integrate into the curricula of K-12, the Alternative Learning System (ALS), general 
24 
education programs of higher education institutions, technical and vocational education and 
25 
training, and other community-based training programs, the essential principles and 
26 
fundamental concepts of ocean sciences to develop the following competencies: 
27 
 
28 
a. Understanding the importance of the ocean to humankind; 
29 
b. Communicating about the ocean in a meaningful way; and,  
30 
c. Making informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources 
31 
 
32 
CHAPTER XI 
33 
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION 
34 
 
35 
SEC. 29. Archipelagic Sea Lanes. – The Council shall designate sea lanes and air 
36 
routes there above, suitable for the continuous and expeditious passage of foreign ships and 
37 
aircrafts through or over the archipelagic waters and the adjacent territorial sea, and shall, 
38 
where necessary as regards to the safety of navigation, require foreign ships exercising the 
39 
right of innocent passage to use such lanes and traffic separation schemes in accordance with 
40 
the UNCLOS. 
41 
 
42 
CHAPTER XII 
43 
ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 
44 
 
45 
SEC. 30. Role of Local Government Units. – Cities and municipalities shall 
46 
continue to exercise jurisdiction over municipal waters, pursuant to RA 7160, also known as 
47 
the “Local Government Code of 1991,” as amended, and RA 8550, as amended. Consistent 
48 
with this mandate, local government units shall act as the frontline agencies in the 
49 
formulation, planning and implementation of IMCAM in their respective jurisdictions. LGUs 
50 


 
12 
shall integrate the National Maritime Spatial Plan and opportunities such as the National 
1 
Sewage and Septage Management Plan and the funds under the Clean Water Act in their 
2 
Comprehensive Development and Annual Investment Plans. Provided, That the Council shall 
3 
clarify territorial boundaries between and among LGUs in different parts of the country for 
4 
better enforcement and regulation.  
5 
 
6 
SEC. 31. Inter-LGU Cooperation. – Consistent with the provisions of RA 7160, as 
7 
amended, LGUs may group themselves, consolidate or coordinate their efforts, services, and 
8 
resources for the accomplishment of the objectives of this Act. 
9 
 
10 
CHAPTER XIII 
11 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 32. Congressional Oversight. – For the effective implementation of this Act, a 
14 
Congressional Oversight Committee is created to be known as the Blue Economy Oversight 
15 
Committee. The Blue Economy Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) Senators 
16 
and five (5) Representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the 
17 
House of Representatives, respectively. The Minority shall be entitled to pro rata 
18 
representation. The Blue Economy Oversight Committee shall be jointly chaired by the 
19 
Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and the Chairperson of the House 
20 
Committee on Economic Affairs. 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 33. Appropriations. – The amount of One Hundred Million Pesos 
23 
(P100,000,000.00) as initial funding for the Council to be charged against the unexpended 
24 
Contingency Fund of the Office of the President is hereby appropriated. Thereafter, the 
25 
amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
26 
Appropriations Act. 
27 
 
28 
SEC. 34. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Council shall issue the 
29 
implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act: 
30 
Provided, That failure to issue rules and regulations shall not in any manner affect the 
31 
executory nature of the provisions of this Act. 
32 
 
33 
SEC. 35. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
34 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.  
35 
 
36 
SEC. 36. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules 
37 
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or 
38 
modified accordingly. 
39 
 
40 
SEC. 37. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
41 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
42 
 
 
Approved,