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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3315

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. CAMILLE A. VILLAR

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the policy of the State, as stated in the Philippine Constitution of 1987, “to
protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature”. In line with this policy and with
regard to the country's marine resources, the Constitution further provides that the
State “shall protect the nation’s marine wealth and exclusive economic zone and
reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens”? and “shall protect the
rights of subsistence fishermen, especially local communities, to the preferential use
of the communal marine and fishing resources, both inland and offshore and provide
support to such fishermen through appropriate technology and research and other
services”.

Coastal environments encompass different ecosystems such as shore lands,
mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs. They are among the most productive
and biologically diverse landscapes known to man. Coastal and marine areas are
vital sources of food, minerals and raw materials, as well as natural setting for
Sports, recreation, and other social and cultural activities, while marine-related
economic activities, including fisheries, marine transportation, tourism, coastal
mining, and offshore oil and gas development make significant contributions to a

* article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
Article XII, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
Article XIII, Section 7 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution


Country's GDP as well as provide livelihood and employment opportunities to coastal
communities.

Being an archipelago with more than 7,100 islands, the Philippines has
immense coastal and marine areas and is considered a center of marine biodiversity
in the world. The country’s coastline stretches to more than 18,000 kilometers, and
its coastal waters cover an area of 266,000 square kilometers*; while 80% of the
major settlements are located within ten or twenty kilometers from the shorelines.
Given this setting, it goes without saying that the protection and management of
coastal environments are important concerns of the State that should be properly
addressed.

The current trends in coastal migration and increasing human activities on
land, coasts and seas exert pressure on the sustaining capacity of marine areas as
well as amplify the risks of environmental degradation, destruction of vital coastal
habitats, loss of marine biological diversity, and deterioration of near shore water
quality.

The attached bill proposes the adoption of an integrated coastal management
as a national strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the coastal and
marine environment and resources of the country. The bill Promotes the formulation
of mechanisms to address the connectivity of terrestrial and marine biodiversity,
Social and ecological systems and the different human activities taking place therein.
Apart from its goal of sustainable development, the bill aims to achieve food ‘security,
Poverty alleviation, gender equality, respect for sustainable traditional resource rights
of indigenous peoples, and to reduce vulnerability to climate change, and human
induced and natural hazards.

The salient provisions of the bill include, among others: the creation of a
National Coordinating Committee on Integrated Coastal Management (ICM),
composed of able representatives of relevant government agencies and
stakeholders, primarily mandated to formulate, institute and implement a National
ICM Framework; the coordination on ICM matters at the regional, provincial and
city/municipal levels; the promotion of ICM best practices that may be emulated by
LGUs; the grant of incentives for LGUs that exhibit exemplary performance in the
development and implementation of their respective local ICM plans; the consistency
of Local ICM Plans and National Programs and Plans with the National ICM
Framework; and the delineation of the roles of LGUs, the civil ‘society and the private
sector in the implementation of ICM programs.

The adoption of an ICM is within the objectives, provisions, scoping and
Principles of the Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development (PSSD), as well as

* Whereas Clause, EO 533 series of 2006
> http://www.oneocean.org/about_crmp/where_we_are.html
Ibid

2


of the actions and agreements adopted by the Philippine Council for Sustainable
Development (PCSD) related to the pursuit of the objectives of the Agenda 21 of the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development (UNCED)
and of such other protocols and treaties to which the Philippines has committed to
abide.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of the bill is highly recommended,

AWM an

CAMILLE A. VILLAR
Representative
Lone District, Las Pifias City


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3315

Introduced by REP. CAMILLE A. VILLAR

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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Chapter |
General Provisions

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

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t 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 vulnerability to climate change, and human
induced and natural hazards.

Sec. 3. Scope and Coverage. — ICM shall be implemented in all coastal and
marine areas, addressing the inter linkages 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:

(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;

(©) “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, as amended by RA No. 11038, public forest, timber

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lands, forest reserves or fishery reserves, but also marine waters included between
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 II
Integrated Coastal Management System

Sec. 5. National Coordinating Committee on ICM. — 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;

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

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

(f) 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.

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;


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(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;

(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
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() 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 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;

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

(d) 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 Bayan provided in Sec. 107 (b) (2) of R.A. 7160, the Chairperson of
the Committee on Environment of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Bayan 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 RA.
7160, representatives from the City or Municipal Fisheries Office or from the Office
of the City or Municipal Agriculturist, City or Municipal Tourism Office, and the
Private sector shall join 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;


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(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;

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

(f) 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 forms of support related to coastal
Management and the implementation of development plans, the national government
agencies shalll 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.


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Sec. 17. ICM Best Practices. - The National ICM Framework and local ICM
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;
(9) Water use and supply management;

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

(i) Integrated and baywide law enforcement;

() Disaster risk reduction and management in coastal areas;
(k) Climate change adaptation and mitigation in coastal areas;
(). 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 ICM Framework.

The details of the recognition and reward system will be provided in the
implementing rules and regulations of this Act.


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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 ICM 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:

(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) arepresentative from the DENR;

(d) a representative from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR); and

(e) 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 ICM

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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 ICM Framework and local
ICM plans.

Sec. 22. Consistency of Local ICM 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 ICM 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, ecotourism zones, and protected areas, whether established under
Republic Act Nos. 7586 and 11038 or by virtue of an ordinance, shall Prepare their
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 ICM or Related Programs and Plans. - Provinces,
cities, municipalities, especially managed or administered areas such as special
economic zones or freeport zones, ecotourism 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 (ZOs)
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

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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. 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 (DepEd) 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;

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(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;

(@) 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.

Chapter II!
Final Provisions

Sec. 28. Appropriations. - All concemed 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.

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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. Separability Clause. — if any portion or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions
hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in force and effect.

Sec. 34. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the
Provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 36. Effectivity. - —This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,

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