NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
I ^fuarr
0( tl;f &r;;Ttai'P
23 SEP 25 P5 -38
RECEIVED 8V
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 138
Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committee on Economic Affairs (upon 
recommendation of its Sub-Committee on PENCAS Law and Blue Economy); 
Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change; and Finance on
SEP 2 5 2fl23
Re: Senate Bill No. 2450
Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 1993, and 2377, taking 
into consideration Senate Resolution No. 81
Sponsor: Senator Loren Legarda
Mr. President:
The Committee on Economic Affairs, upon the recommendation of its 
Subcommittee on PENCAS Law and Blue Economy, jointly with the Committees on 
Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change; and Finance, to which were 
referred Senate Bill No. 1993, introduced by Senators Legarda, Villanueva, and 
Revilla, Jr., entitled:
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, 
PROMOTING STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND 
RESOURCES
Senate Bill No. 2377, introduced by Senator Estrada, entitled:
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, 
PROMOTING STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND 
RESOURCES


and Senate Resolution No. 81, introduced by Senator Poe, entitled:
RESOLUTION
URGING THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS TO 
CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE 
ENORMOUS UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF THE PHILIPPINE 'BLUE 
ECONOMY', AND TO REVIEW THE EFFECTIVENESS OF 
EXISTING LAWS IN BOOSTING ITS DEVELOPMENT
have considered the same and have the honor to repoiibi 
recommendation that the attached Senate Bill No.
p the Senate with the 
_, entitled:
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, 
PROMOTING STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND 
RESOURCES
be approved in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 1993 and 2377, taking into 
consideration Senate Resolution No. 81, with Senators Legarda, Estrada, 
Villanueva, Revilla, Jr., and Poe as authors thereof.
Respectfuily submitted.
SEN. LORENTEGARDA
Chairperson, Sub-Committee on PENCAS 
Law and Biue Economy
SEN. CYNTHIA VILLAR
Chairperson
Committee on Environment,
Natural Resources and Climate Change 
Vice-Chairperson, Committee on Finance
SEN/GRACE POE
Chairperson, Committee on Economic 
Affairs
Vice-Chairperson, Committee on 
Finance
SEN. SONNY ANGARA
Chairperson, Committee on Finance 
Vice-Chairperson, Committee on 
Economic Affairs


Senior Vice-Chairpersons:
SEN. PlA S. CAYETAf
Committee on ^ance 
Vice-Chairpersem, Environment,
Natural Resources and Climate Change 
Member, Committee on Economic 
Affairs
SEN. IMEE R. MARCOS
Committee on Finance 
Vice-Chairperson, Economic Affairs 
Member, Committee on Environment, 
Natural Resources and Climate 
Change
Vice-Chairpergons:
SEN. RONALDnSATO:' DELA ROSA
Committee on Fii 
Member, Committee onJEhvironment, 
Natural Resources and Climate Change
, GATCHALIAN
Coi^mit^ on Finance 
Memb^, Committees on Economic 
Affairs and Environment, Natural 
Resources and Climate Change
SEN. CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE 
"BONG" T. GO
Committee on Finiance 
Member, Commijeiee on Environment, 
Natural Resources and Climate Change
ICIS "TOL" N. 
TOLENTINO
Committee on Finance 
Member, Committees on Environment, 
Natural Resources and Climate Change; 
and Finance
SEN. MARIA LOURDES NANCY 
S. BINAY
Committee on Finance 
Member, Committees on Economic 
Affairs, and Environment,
Natural Resources and Climate Change
------
SEN. RISA HONTIVEROS ]J
Committee on Finance
Member, Committee on Economic Affairs


SEN. MARK VILLAR
Committees on Economic Affairs; 
Environment, Naturai Resources and 
Ciimate Change; and Finance
SEN. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
Committee on Finance 
Member, Committees on Economic 
Affairs; and Environment, Naturai 
Resources and Climate Change
Members:
SEN. ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" 
S. CAYETAr
Committe^n Finance
RAFFY T. TULFO
Corhmjttees^n EnvironjuentrNatural 
ResourceSTmd-Climate Change; and. 
Finance
SEN. FRANCIS nCHIZ" G. 
ESCUDERO
Committees on Environment, Natural 
Resources and Climate Change; and. 
Finance
SEN. RAMON "BONG" REVILLA, JR.
Committees on Economic Affairs; 
Environment, Natural Resources and 
Climate Change; and Finance
mAnOel ^rror m. lapid
Committees on Economic Affairs; 
Environment, Natural Resources and 
Climate Change; and. Finance
L
I. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
rCommitt^s on Environment, Natural 
jrces/and Climate Change; and. 
Finance
SEN. ROBINHOOD C. PADILLA
Committees on Environment, Natural 
Resources and Climate Change; and. 
Finance


Ex-Officio Members:
SEN. kOftENTiGARDA
Senate President Pro-Tempore 
Senior Vice-Chairperson, Committee on Finance
“will interpellate”
SEN. JOEI
LLANUEVA
.eader
SEN. AQUILINO "KOKO" PIMENTEL 111
Minority Leader
HON. JUAN MIGUEL "MIGZ*
Senate President
F. ZUBIRI


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SE 
S. No.
'i 3
of tlif ^ 1' rt.irr
23 SEP 25 P5 :38
RECEIVED BY:
(In substitution of S. Nos. 1993 and 2377, taking into consideration S. R. No. 81)
Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committee on Economic Affairs (upon the 
recommendation of its Sub-Committee on PENCAS Law and Blue Economy); 
Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change; and Finance 
with Senators Legarda, Estrada, Villanueva, Revilla, Jr., and Poe as authors thereof.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING 
STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND 
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Blue Economy
Act:
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to:
(a) 
Adopt blue economy as a framework for sustainable and safe use and 
development of marine wealth within our coastal and maritime domain, as a pillar of 
our national economy and patrimony;
(b) 
Exercise stewardship of our coasts and oceans, and protect and 
conserve the health and resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats to 
promote the well-being, inclusive prosperity and security of present and future 
generations;
(c) 
Preserve our maritime heritage, recognize the economic, social, cultural, 
and historical value of our coasts and oceans, and foster public understanding and 
respect of the value of our coasts and oceans to build a strong foundation for social 
responsibility;


1 
(d) 
Enrich scientific understanding of ocean, marine and coastal
2 
ecosystems, the benefits we gain from these, their changing extent and conditions
3 
and the causes thereof, and use the best available scientific knowledge to inform
4 
decisions affecting our coasts and oceans, and to enhance our capacity to respond
5 
and adapt to changing ocean environments;
6 
(e) 
Exercise rights and jurisdiction, and enjoyment of freedom of the high
7 
seas, in accordance with applicable international laws;
8 
(f) 
Strategically address the factors that adversely affect the oceans and
9 
the living and non-living resources that comprise our seas, turning threats into
10 
opportunities and preventing further harm to all water bodies including land-based
11 
pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change; and
12 
(g) 
Ensure a whole-of-nation approach and a comprehensive and integrated
13 
framework for the stewardship of our coasts and oceans to facilitate cohesive action
14 
of the National Government, local authorities, academe, civil society organizations,
15 
indigenous peoples and local communities, and private sector, to secure our people's
16 
safe and access to, enjoyment of, and opportunities to invest on sustaining their
17 
benefits from our blue economy.
18 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
19 
(a) 
Aquaculture refers to fishery operations involving all forms of raising and
20 
culturing fish and other fishery species in fresh, brackish, and marine water areas;
21 
(b) 
Aquisilviculture refers to a multi-purpose production system that allows
22 
the production of fish in a mangrove reforestation project;
23 
(c) 
Blue economy refers to the practical ocean-based economic model using
24 
green infrastructure and technologies, innovative financing mechanisms, and
25 
proactive institutional arrangements for meeting the twin goals of protecting our
26 
oceans and coasts and enhancing its potential contribution to sustainable
27 
development, including improving human well-being, and reducing environmental
28 
risks and ecological scarcities;
29 
(d) 
Coast refers to the interface where the land meets the ocean,
30 
encompassing shoreline environments as well as adjacent coastal waters. Its
31 
components can include river deltas, coastal plains, wetlands, beaches and dunes,
32 
reefs, mangroves forests, lagoons and other coastal features;


1 
(e) Commercial fishing refers to the taking of fishery species by passive or
2 
active gear for trade, business and profit beyond subsistence or sports fishing, to be
3 
further classified as:
4 
1. small-scale commercial fishing - fishing with passive or active gear utilizing
5 
fishing vessels of 3.1 gross tons (gt) up to twenty (20) gt;
6 
2. medium-scale commercial fishing - fishing utilizing active gears and vessels
7 
of 20.1 gt up to one hundred fifty (150) gt; and
8 
3. large commercial fishing - fishing utilizing active gears and vessels of more
9 
than one hundred fifty (150) gt.
10 
(f) 
Ecosystem services refer to the benefits supplied by the functions of
11 
ecosystems and received by humanity and all elements of living systems, which
12 
support life systems on the planet. Ecosystem services consist of provisioning services,
13 
regulating and maintenance services, and cultural services;
14 
(g) 
Environmental sustainability refers to responsible use of coastal, marine,
15 
and freshwater resources offers protection of the marine ecosystem from harmful
16 
effects and degradation. Environmental sustainability includes (a) stewardship by the
17 
government and local communities to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the
18 
coastal, freshwater, and marine environment; (b) mitigate the impacts of climate
19 
change; and (c) protect biodiversity;
20 
(h) 
Integrated marine and coastal area management refers to coordinated
21 
and sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, and participatory
22 
process for planning and decision-making to prevent, control, or mitigate adverse
23 
impacts from human activities in the marine and coastal environment, biodiversity and
24 
climate, and to contribute to the restoration of degraded coastal areas, protection of
25 
habits, and reduction of multiple resource-use conflicts among various stakeholders in
26 
order to pursue sustainable and inclusive growth, support jobs and livelihood, and
27 
enhance food, energy and water security, climate resilience, and wellbeing;
28 
(i) 
Investment promotion agencies refer to government entities created by
29 
law, executive order, decree or other issuance, in charge of promoting investments,
30 
granting and administering tax and non-tax incentives, or overseeing the operations
31 
of the different economic zones and freeports in accordance with their respective
32 
special laws;


1 
(j) 
Land-based pollution refers to Municipal, industrial and agricultural
2 
wastes and run-off including but not limited to sewage and waste water, persistent
3 
organic pollutants (including pesticides), heavy metals, oils, nutrients, sediments, and
4 
plastic wastes, whether brought by rivers or discharged directly into coastal waters;
5 
(k) 
Marine resources refer to the diverse range of living and non-living
6 
components found within marine ecosystems, including oceans, seas, and coastal
7 
areas;
8 
(I) 
Marine science research refers to any research activity, which is
9 
conducted for exclusively peaceful purposes, for the purpose of increasing scientific
10 
knowledge about the marine environment, including all-natural resources,
11 
biodiversity, and water quality toward the benefit of mankind and according to the
12 
UNCLOS;
13 
(m) Maritime domain awareness refers to the effective understanding of any
14 
activity that could impact upon the security, safety, economy or environment;
15 
(n) 
Maritime spatial planning refers to a process by which human activities
16 
in Maritime Zones are analyzed and organized, based on best available scientific
17 
knowledge, and to achieve economic, ecological and social objectives;
18 
(o) 
Maritime zones refer to the Philippines' internal waters, archipelagic
19 
waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental
20 
shelf;
21 
(p) 
Ocean accounting refers to a statistical framework that guides the
22 
compilation and integration of a series of standardized and regular measurements of
23 
stocks and flows of ocean economic, societal and environmental components through
24 
specific accounting table groups and comprehensive indicators critical for informed
25 
and evidence-based decisions;
26 
(q) 
Ocean accounts refer to a structured compilation of consistent and
27 
comparable information such as maps, data, statistics and indicators concerning
28 
marine and coastal environments, including related social circumstances and economic
29 
activity;
30 
(r) 
Ocean-based activities refer to activities that are undertaken in the
31 
ocean, such as fisheries and aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, mining, ocean energy,
32 
desalination, shipping and marine transportation, ship building and repair, marine


1 
tourism, ports, tourist resorts, communication, marine construction, maritime
2 
insurance and iaw, maritime technicai services, etc.;
3 
(s) 
Ocean literacy refers to an understanding of the ocean's influence on
4 
humans and human influence on the ocean as weii as the iinkage of ocean and ciimate
5 
and its effect on humans, water, and ecosystems;
6 
(t) 
Ocean-related activities refer to activities that use products from the
7 
ocean such as seafood processing, marine biotechnoiogy, chemicais, salt, etc., and
8 
produce products and services for the ocean and ocean-based activities;
9 
(u) 
Social sustainability refers to the proactive way of ensuring that benefits
10 
of sustainabie aquatic resource use are distributed equitably and that the needs of
11 
present and future generations are considered;
12 
(v) 
Subsistence fishing refers to fishing for personal consumption or
13 
traditionai/ceremoniai purposes; and
14 
(w) 
Value chain efficiency refers to maximizing the use existing resources in
15 
the fuii range of activities needed to create a product or service.
16 
SEC. 4. Scope of Application. - For purposes of this Act, the Philippines shali
17 
exercise sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, in accordance with
18 
internationai law, as appropriate, in internai waters, archipeiagic waters, territorial
19 
sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continent sheif, herein coilectiveiy
20 
referred to as "coastai and marine zones", inciuding its seabed and subsoii, and any
21 
and aii maritime features within the Maritime Zones now known or to be known in the
22 
future.
23
24
CHAPTER II
THE BLUE ECONOMY FRAMEWORK
25 
SEC. 5. Policy Development Framework on Blue Economy. - The Biue
26 
Economy Framework, hereafter referred to as "Framework", is a deveiopment modei
27 
that aims to heip the country define a roadmap to a diversified and sustainabie ocean
28 
economy in a manner that provides long-term economic and social benefits while
29 
building resilience to climate change and without compromising the safety of our
30 
marine ecosystems. The Biue Economy is an integrated, hoiistic, cross-sectorai, and


1 
cross-stakeholder approach that creates a value-added and value-chain of resources
2 
from oceans, seas, and freshwater in an inclusive and sustainable way. The Blue
3 
Economy covers upstream and downstream sectors, serving as an accelerator of the
4 
conventional marine sector such as fisheries, aquaculture, fish-only processing, and
5 
tourism, and a catalyst for emerging sectors such as renewable energy, biotechnology,
6 
and marine and freshwater-based research and education, including emerging sectors
7 
from aquatic resources.
8 
The Framework objectives are to:
9 
(a) 
Ensure a cross-sectoral and cross-stakeholder approach, creating a
10 
value chain, supporting inclusiveness, and ensuring sustainability to make the blue
11 
economy a new engine for the country's future economic growth;
12 
(b) 
Deveiop a common understanding of the blue economy;
13 
(c) 
Provide a foundation for regional actions relevant to the blue economy
14 
to maximize the economic potential of the country's ocean and inland water resources;
15 
and
16 
(d) 
Foster collaborative actions, including cooperation in areas such as
17 
marine and coastal ecosystem protection; combatting illegal, unreported, and
18 
unregulated fishing; sustainable aquaculture and fishing practices; marine industrial
19 
development; food, water, and energy security; trade and connectivity; security and
20 
safety in navigation; marine and freshwater science; aquatic-based energy; blue
21 
governance and management; biotechnology; data statistics and data analytics;
22 
livelihood, adaptation to and mitigation of climate change; and innovation, taking into
23 
consideration supporting sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
24 
The Framework shall serve as the basis to (i) institutionalize an integrated
25 
marine and coastal management; (ii) develop marine spatial plans (MSPs); (Hi) align
26 
integrated coastal management (ICM) plan, fisheries management plans, coastal
27 
resource management plan, climate action plan, and MSPs to determine zones,
28 
designate allowed, regulated, and restricted activities, and enhance economic and
29 
environmental regulations within our coastal and marine areas to preserve the value
30 
and sustainability of ocean resources and their protection from threats, such as land-
31 
and sea-based pollution, and overfishing, and habitat degradation; (iv) identify climate
32 
resilient and environmentally sound investments, infrastructure and technologies; (v)


1 
institutionalize regular coastal and ocean monitoring and accounting; and (vi) conduct
2 
capacity development, research, education, and knowledge management activities to
3 
enhance marine domain awareness and ocean literacy, and support blue economic
4 
development.
5 
SEC 6. Guiding Principies for the Impiementation of the Poiicy
6 
Deveiopment Framework on Biue Economy. - The Framework shall have the
7 
principles of value creation, inclusivity, and sustainability to guide decisions and
8 
actions related to the development and implementation of a blue economy in the
9 
country, including adjusting existing activities in which this may not be sustainable to
10 
support continued growth, and developing new opportunities. Provided, That value
11 
creation recognizes the need to generate economic value while responsibly utilizing
12 
ocean and inland water resources. Provided, further. That inclusivity ensures that all
13 
stakeholders, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), small-scale
14 
fishers, and local and coastal communities, have access to the benefits of sustainable
15 
ocean and inland water resource utilization. Provided, finaiiy. That sustainability
16 
encompasses environmental and social sustainability.
17 
SEC. 7. Components of the Poiicy Framework on Biue Economy. - The
18 
Policy Framework shall include the following components:
19 
(a) 
Review of all existing policies, plans, programs, projects, rules, and
20 
regulations on ocean-based and ocean-related activities;
21 
(b) 
Adherence to international maritime laws;
22 
(c) 
Analysis of current and emerging trends and changes in demography,
23 
consumption, trade, technology, environmental quality, and ciimate that show the
24 
interaction between the economy and the environment, present threats and pressures
25 
on coastal and marine environments, and damage estimation;
26 
(d) 
Analysis of current and emerging trends and changes in demography,
27 
consumption, trade, technology, environmental quality, and climate that show the
28 
interaction between the economy and the environment, present and future threats
29 
and pressures on coastal and marine environments, and damage estimation;
30 
(e) 
Environmental-economic accounting of coastal and marine assets and
31 
living and non-iiving resources, and ecosystem services from coastal and marine


1 
environments, including assessment of losses due to degradation or major pollution
2 
events such as oil spills;
3 
(f) Priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based and ocean-related
4 
economic activities, which may include:
5 
(1) 
Fisheries, including commercial fishing, seafood processing, and
6 
commercial research and development, but with preference to subsistence
7 
fisheries, as mandated by Section 7, Art. XIII, of the Constitution;
8 
(2) 
Aquaculture, mariculture and aquasilviculture;
9 
(3) 
Marine and coastal tourism;
10 
(4) 
Environmentally and hydrologically appropriate reclamation;
11 
(5) 
Shipping, logistics, and maritime transport;
12 
(6) 
Ship-building and ship repair;
13 
(7) 
Exploration, exploitation, and extraction of oil and natural gas;
14 
(8) 
Production of renewable energy from marine sources;
15 
(9) 
Submarine mining or extraction of minerals and aggregates;
16 
(10) Installation of submarine cables and pipelines;
17 
(11) Bioremediation, marine biotechnology and bioprospecting;
18 
(12) 
Desalination; and
19 
(13) 
Underwater cultural heritage and maritime archaeology.
20 
(g) 
Guiding framework for integrated marine and coastal area management;
21 
(h) 
Guiding framework for blue finance;
22 
(i) 
Priority research and development agenda, maximizing opportunities
23 
created for pollution control, remediation, used water economics, and other industries
24 
that address threats;
25 
(j) 
Promotion of ocean literacy and social responsibility towards the
26 
protection of coastal and marine environments;
27 
(k) 
Enhancement of capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
28 
and relevant agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations to protect our marine
29 
wealth;
30 
(I) 
Goals, targets, and indicators for growth, resilience, and sustainability of
31 
priority strategic and sustainable coastal and ocean-based and ocean-related


1 
activities, including its contribution to Gross Domestic Product, job creation, and
2 
livelihoods;
3 
(m) Scaling up the expansion and management of marine protected areas
4 
(MPAs) in line with integrated coastal management to help boost the country's blue
5 
economy by protecting and conserving the coastal and marine ecosystems and
6 
resources;
7 
(n) 
Mainstreaming of circular and resource efficiency approaches on the blue
8 
economy framework to address the longstanding problem on marine litter and
9 
microplastics;
10 
(o) 
Integration of climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM)
11 
strategies to help operationalize the country's nationally determined contributions
12 
(NDC);
13 
(p) 
Strengthening of management capacities of national and local
14 
governments, including relevant sectors, to enhance the protection of coastal and
15 
marine ecosystems; and,
16 
(q) 
Enhancement of capabilities of agencies for the protection of the
17 
environment and such other components as may be determined by the council.
18 
SEC. 8. Blue Economy Strategies. -The Framework shall be based on the
19 
following strategies:
20 
(1) 
Blue Conservation Management centers around three (3) development
21 
areas, such as implementing a neutral carbon balance from aquatic and coastal-based
22 
activities; promoting sustainable use of natural resources, ecological health, and
23 
combatting pollution; and increasing resilience and strengthening disaster risk
24 
management;
25 
(2) 
Blue Science, Technology and Innovation focuses on leveraging
26 
technological advancement for the development of sectors relevant to the blue
27 
economy such as the development and deployment of digital platforms that enable
28 
better coordination and cooperation amongst government agencies, improving value
29 
chain efficiency using technological innovations;
30 
(3) 
Blue Priority Sectors focus on six (6) key areas, such as defining the blue
31 
economy's fields of application and key areas, and providing coherent definition;
32 
increasing the knowledge of blue potential and associated constraints; supporting


1 
marine spatial planning (MSP); ensuring communication; developing and encouraging
2 
sustainabie blue financing mechanisms; and stimuiating traditionai and emerging
3 
sectoral growth.
4 
SEC. 9. Blue Enablers. -The Framework shall contain enabiing elements to
5 
ensure inclusivity and sustainability that encourage investment. The Framework shali
6 
guide the development of a modern and efficient infrastructure that supports the
7 
sustainabie use of marine resources, weil-organized institutionai setting, strong
8 
cooperation, and capacity buiiding that builds the necessary knowledge and
9 
competencies required for the biue economy, and sustainable investment and finance.
10
11
CHAPTER III 
OCEAN ACCOUNTING
12 
SEC. 10. Ocean Accounting. - The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shali
13 
undertake environmental-economic accounting of ocean, maritime ecosystems, and
14 
resources, based on the United Nations System of Environmental-Economic
15 
Accounting. Members of the Councii and heads of support agencies shail contribute
16 
data and submit reports on environmentai-economic accounts reiating to their
17 
mandates inciuding damage estimation and sea ievel rise projections.
18 
SEC. 11. Framework. - The PSA shali develop a framework for the collection,
19 
compiiation, processing, analysis, publication, and dissemination of environmentai-
20 
economic accounts and its integration in the nationai accounts, in addition to
21 
improving its sateliite ocean accounts: Provided, That PSA shali integrate the collection
22 
of environmentai-economic accounts into the Community-Based Monitoring System
23 
for iocai government units (LGUs); Provided, further, That the PSA shali coordinate
24 
with and provide technicai assistance to Members of the Council, support agencies,
25 
investment promotion agencies and LGUs to ensure compiiance to standard
26 
environmental-economic accounting techniques, methodoiogies, concepts, definitions
27 
and ciassifications to prevent duplication in coliection of statistical information.
28
29
CHAPTER IV
INTEGRATED MARINE AND COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT
10


1 
SEC. 12. Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management (IMCAM).
2 
- The Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management (IMCAM) shall be the
3 
framework to address human impacts on marine and coastal biological diversity, and
4 
for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of this biodiversity.
5 
SEC. 13. Elements of the National IMCAM Framework. - The Blue
6 
Economy Council shall develop and implement the National IMCAM Framework within
7 
one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act to provide direction, support, and guidance
8 
to relevant member and support agencies, LGUs, and other stakeholders, according
9 
to the Elaborated Programme of Work on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity
10 
contained in the Annex to Decision VII/5 of the Conference of the Parties to the United
11 
Nations Environmental Programme Convention on Biological Diversity.
12 
Accordingly, the National IMCAM Framework shall consider the following
13 
elements:
14 
(a) Building capacity of stakeholders, at both national and local levels, to
15 
apply relevant policy instruments to address legal Issues, institutionalize participatory
16 
processes, and develop strategies to promote multidisciplinary and multisectoral
17 
ecosystem-based management of coastal and marine environments;
18 
(b) Direct action to protect coastal and marine environments from negative
19 
impacts, such as:
20 
(1) 
Alteration and destruction, of coastal and marine habitats,
21 
particularly areas important for reproduction, inter alia, coral reef systems, sea
22 
grass areas, and the sea bed;
23 
(2) 
Marine and land-based pollution;
24 
(3) 
Improper coastal land use, and 
the mismanagement of
25 
watersheds;
26 
(4) 
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, by-catch especially
27 
of threatened species;
28 
(c) Establishment of mechanisms and guidelines for research, monitoring,
29 
assessment and valuation of coastal and marine ecosystems and resources, including
30 
indicators to measure natural and human-induced impacts
11


1 
CHAPTER V
2 
PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF COASTAL AND MARINE
3 
RESOURCES
4 
SEC. 14. Protection of Endangered Species. - The Blue Economy Council
5 
shall monitor, coordinate, and ensure the conservation, protection, and rehabilitation
6 
of rare, threatened, and endangered aquatic species as it may determine, including
7 
their habitats and migratory routes, in coordination with BEAR and in accordance with
8 
existing laws, rules and regulations. It shall recommend to the President and Congress
9 
the designation of coastal and marine areas as protected areas under the Expanded
10 
National Integrated Protected Areas System, or sanctuaries of local conservation areas
11 
under the Fisheries Code and the Local Government Code, and in compliance with the
12 
relevant provisions of international treaties and agreements, such as the united
13 
nations convention on the law of the sea, convention on biological diversity,
14 
convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals, and Convention
15 
on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
16 
SEC. 15. Poiicy Coordination. - The Blue Economy Council shall harmonize
17 
rules and regulations of all relevant agencies responsible for the implementation and
18 
enforcement of laws to prevent and eliminate illegal fishing such as Republic Act (RA)
19 
No. 8550, also known as the "Philippine Fisheries Code of1998/'bs amended by RA
20 
10654. Further, the Council shall act as the coordinating and monitoring arm of the
21 
government in ensuring other government agencies' compliance with said laws.
22
23
CHAPTER VI
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
24 
SEC. 16. Marine Spatiai Pianning. - The Blue Economy Council shall
25 
undertake a nationwide marine spatial planning (MSP) with the participation of key
26 
stakeholders to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of priority activities and
27 
uses and the interactions thereof in maritime zones, in order to reduce conflict among
28 
uses, facilitate complementary uses, mitigate environmental impacts, prevent marine
29 
dead zones and preserve ecosystem services with the national MSP providing the
12


1 
guiding principles and overarching delineations, and identifying the spatiai and
2 
temporal distribution of aiiowed, restricted and reguiated human activities and priority
3 
uses and the interactions thereof in the coastal and marine zones, and encourage and
4 
support the deveiopment of regionai and iocai MSPs, which can provide a ievei of
5 
granuiarity that can be linked to actionable investments, reguiations and enforcement,
6 
coastal and marine resource management and conservation measures, and reduction
7 
of risks from climate change and naturai disasters.
8 
SEC. 17. Industry Development Plans. - The Biue Economy Council,
9 
through working groups created for the purpose, shali prepare five-year and ten-year
10 
deveiopment plans for each priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based or ocean-
11 
related industry, in accordance with the Poiicy Framework.
12 
SEC. 18. Integration with Area and National Development Plans. - The
13 
Nationai Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) shall integrate the maritime
14 
spatial plan and industry development plans into ali development plans and master
15 
plans.
16 
SEC. 19. Inclusion In Investment Programming Plans. - The Blue
17 
Economy Council shall (a) recommend to the Board of Investments the inclusion of
18 
identified priority strategic ocean-based and ocean-based activities in the Strategic
19 
Investment Priority Plan, (b) ensure the inclusion of such programs, activities, and
20 
projects (PAPs) in the pubiic investment program.
21 
SEC. 20. Blue Economic Zones. - Investment promotion agencies shail
22 
encourage the estabiishment of blue economic zones and the transformation of
23 
existing special economic zones (SEZs) into the same, where iocator enterprises
24 
engaged in ocean-based or ocean-reiated activities shaii enjoy the priviieges, benefits,
25 
advantages, or exemptions granted to economic zones and freeports in accordance
26 
with their respective speciai iaws.
27 
In addition, the incentives provided under relevant laws may be granted to blue
28
29
30
CHAPTER VII 
BLUE FINANCE
13


1 
SEC. 21. Role of the Bangko Sentraing Pilipinas (BSP). - In the exercise
2 
of its regulatory powers over financiai institutions, the BSP shall provide an enabling
3 
regulatory environment to promote the deveiopment of the country's blue economy,
4 
considering internationai standards and best practices.
5 
SEC. 22. Roie of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). - The SEC
6 
shali encourage the issuance of biue bonds where proceeds wiil be exciusiveiy appiied
7 
to finance or refinance, in part or in fuli, eiigibie biue PAPs in accordance with SEC
8 
guideiines, and ASEAN Green Bonds Standards and Green Bonds Principles, as
9 
developed and may be revised from time to time by the SEC, the ASEAN Capital
10 
Markets Forum and the International Capital Market Association, respectively. All
11 
designated biue PAPs must provide ciear benefits to ocean health and the blue
12 
economy and must contribute substantialiy to United Nations Sustainable
13 
Development Goals 6 and 14, which will be assessed and, where feasible, quantified
14 
by the corporation that will issue the blue bonds.
15 
The eligibility of these blue PAPs shall be subject to the guidelines that wiil be
16 
issued by the SEC.
17 
SEC. 23. Roie of Government Financial Institutions. - The Land Bank of
18 
the Philippines and the Deveiopment Bank of the Philippines shali provide credit to
19 
strategic and sustainable ocean-based or ocean-related enterprises.
20
21
CHAPTER VIII
MARINE SCIENCE AND OCEAN LITERACY
22 
SEC. 24. Marine Science Research. - The State recognizes marine science
23 
as a foundation of maritime governance. AN rules, policies, and plans governing the
24 
utilization and conservation of coastal and marine resources must be based on sound
25 
scientific understanding of the coastal and marine environment. In accordance with
26 
UNCLOS, the Philippines has the exciusive rights to regulate, authorize and conduct
27 
marine scientific research in our internai waters, archipelagic waters, and territoriai
28 
sea; whereas, the Philippines has rights to regulate, authorize and conduct maritime
29 
research in our exclusive economic zone and continentai sheif: Provided, That the
30 
marine scientific research activities shail not unjustifiably interfere with other
14


1 
legitimate uses of the sea and shall not constitute the legal basis for any claim to any
2 
part of the marine environment or its resources.
3 
Marine science research by foreign states and competent international
4 
organizations may only be conducted with the express consent of and the conditions
5 
set forth by the Council, after coordination with PCG, DA, DND, DENR, DOST, and
6 
other relevant agencies, in accordance with the UNCLOS.
7 
Activities undertaken in ocean and coastal waters as part of marine science
8 
shall observe the principle of transparency. These activities include research and its
9 
entire research process from the planning stage including the design of
10 
methodologies, to the conduct of activities, and to the dissemination of results and
11 
the analysis and interpretation thereof.
12 
SEC. 25. Ocean Literacy Framework. - The Department of Education,
13 
Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development
14 
Authority, and other government agencies implementing sector-specific literacy
15 
programs, in consultation with relevant Members of the Council or support agencies,
16 
shall integrate into the curricula of K-12, the Alternative Learning System, general
17 
education programs of higher education institutions, technical and vocational
18 
education and training, and other community-based training programs, the essential
19 
principles and fundamental concepts of ocean sciences to develop the following
20 
competencies:
21 
(a) 
Understanding the importance of the ocean to humankind;
22 
(b) 
Communicating the socio-economic and cultural importance of the ocean
23 
to normalize and inculcate a culture of valuing and protecting our ecological heritage;
24 
(c) Making informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its
25 
resources;
26 
(d) 
Identifying and incorporating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) as
27 
an important component of archipelagic ocean science and Philippine national
28 
heritage; and
29 
(e) 
Data collection and compilation retrieval system.
30
31
CHAPTER IX
ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
15


1 
SEC. 26. Role of Local Government Units. - Cities and municipaiities shali
2 
continue to exercise jurisdiction over municipal waters, pursuant to RA 7160, also
3 
known as the "Local Government Code of 1991," as amended, and RA 8550, as
4 
amended. Consistent with this mandate, LGUs shaii act as the frontline agencies in
5 
the formulation, planning, and impiementation of IMCAM in their respective
6 
jurisdictions. The LGUs shall develop their local marine spatial plan in accordance with
7 
the National Maritime Spatial Plan, and integrate them in their comprehensive land
8 
use plan, comprehensive development, and annual investment plan, ICM or Coastal
9 
Resource Management Plan, Climate Change Action Plan, and Disaster Risk Reduction
10 
and Management Plan, and opportunities such as the National Sewage and Septage
11 
Management Plan and the funds under the Clean Water Act.
12 
SEC. 27. Inter-LGU Cooperation. - Consistent with the provisions of RA
13 
7160, as amended, LGUs may group themselves, consolidate, or coordinate their
14 
efforts, services, and resources for the accomplishment of the objectives of this Act.
15
16
CHAPTER X
BLUE ECONOMY COUNCIL
17 
SEC. 28. Blue Economy Council. - The Blue Economy Council, herein
18 
referred to as the "Council," is hereby established to formulate an integrated strategy
19 
to strengthen, grow, and sustain the Philippines' blue economy, integrated marine and
20 
coastal management, and ecosystem-based management of coastal and marine
21 
resources.
22 
SEC. 29. Composition. - The Councii is composed of the following:
23 
(a) Executive Secretary - Chairperson;
24 
(b) 
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, - Co-Vice Chairperson;
25 
(c) 
Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning - Co-Vice Chairperson;
26 
(d) 
Secretary of National Defense - Member;
27 
(e) 
Secretary of Foreign Affairs - Member;
28 
(f) 
Secretary of Justice - Member;
29 
(g) 
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government - Member;
16


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3
4
5
6
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8 
9
10
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14
15
16
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18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
(h) 
Secretary of Agriculture - Member;
(i) 
Secretary of Tourism - Member;
(j) 
Secretary of Transportation - Member;
(k) 
Secretary of Trade and Industry - Member;
(l) 
Secretary of Energy - Member;
(m) 
Secretary of Science and Technology - Member; and
(n) 
Secretary of Finance - Member.
Department Secretaries may designate an Undersecretary, whose portfolio 
covers matters directly or principally relating to the development or management of 
coastal and marine resources and ecosystems, if applicable. They shall sit in a 
permanent capacity, and their acts shall be considered the acts of their principals.
Majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
SEC. 30. Mandates, Powers, and Functions of the Blue Economy 
Council. - The Council shall be responsible for formulating a clear, coherent, and 
comprehensive Policy Framework and Strategic Action Plan on Blue Economy. It shall:
(a) 
Develop the country's policy framework and strategic vision for the 
growth and sustainable development of the country's blue economy;
(b) 
Institutionalize an integrated marine and coastal management;
(c) 
Enhance the country's ecosystem-based management of coastal and 
marine resources;
(d) 
Align integrated coastal management (ICM) plans, fisheries 
management plans, coastal resource management plans, climate action plans, and 
marine spatial plans to determine zones, designate allowed, regulated, and restricted 
activities;
(e) 
Strengthen economic and environmental regulations within our coastal 
and marine areas to preserve the value and sustainability of ocean resources and their 
protection from threats;
(f) 
Identify climate-resilient and environmentally sound investments, 
infrastructure, and technologies;
(g) 
Ensure an enabling environment for the growth and development of 
sustainable investment and finance;
(h) 
Identify priority blue economy sectors;
17


1 
(i) 
Institutionalize regular coastal and ocean monitoring and accounting;
2 
(j) 
Coordinate the development of marine spatial plans;
3 
(k) 
Coordinate with various sectors and agencies to promote policy and
4 
program coherence;
5 
(I) 
Coordinate and cooperate with maritime industry authority to ensure
6 
that the Framework shall be in harmony with and not overlap with the maritime
7 
industry development plan;
8 
(m) 
Coordinate with the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee on
9 
Ratification and Accession to and Implementation of Maritime Conventions
10 
(ICCRAIMC) and ensure that it will aid in the implementation thereof;
11 
(n) 
Conduct, support, fund, engage, collaborate, and/or coordinate research
12 
and development in blue economy;
13 
(o) 
Develop, expand, and strengthen investments in capacity building and
14 
skills enhancement programs for the blue economy, and encourage such to be
15 
featured in the work planning of governments, the private sector, and civil society
16 
organizations;
17 
(p) 
Review, update, and disseminate the policy framework and strategic
18 
action plan on blue economy; and
19 
(q) 
Perform other functions as may be necessary for the implementation of
20 
this Act.
21 
SEC. 31. Secretariat - A Secretariat to the Council shall be established within
22 
NEDA, to be headed by an Executive Director III (Salary Grade 28) who shall be
23 
appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Secretariat shall be under the
24 
control and supervision of the NEDA Director General. The Executive Director III shall
25 
have at least seven (7) years of experience and practice in the fields of marine science
26 
and research, blue economy and ecosystem-based management of coastal and marine
27 
resources, environmental economics, environmental accounts, and financial analysis
28 
to qualify for appointment. The Executive Director III shall be appointed by the
29 
Council.
30 
The initial staffing structure and complement of the Secretariat shall be
31 
submitted by the NEDA to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for
32 
funding. NEDA shall constitute an interim Secretariat within one (1) month from the
18


1 
effectivity of this Act, through the temporary detail of personnel from its member
2 
agencies.
3 
The Secretariat shall have the following functions:
4 
(a) Provide secretariat support to the Council, including the preparation of
5 
draft strategies, 
priorities, and other outputs to be adopted by the
6 
council;
7 
(b) Consult with experts who can offer insights on blue economy and
8 
ecosystem-based 
management of coastal and marine resources
9 
policymaking and priority setting;
Coordinate with various agencies of the government, private sector, 
academe, scientific community, civil society organizations, indigenous 
peoples and local communities, and the public;
Design and implement a blue economy development program to 
promote its use and adoption in the government bureaucracy;
Develop recommendations for consideration by the Council; and 
Perform other functions as may be directed by the Council.
10
(c)
11
12
13
(d)
14
15
(e)
16
(f)
17
SEC
18
technical sl
19
(a)
20
(b)
21
(c)
22
(d)
23
(e)
24
(f)
25
(g)
26
(h)
27
(i)
28
0)
29
(k)
30
(1)
31
(m)
32
(n)
Climate Change Commission (CCC);
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP);
Board of Investments (BOI);
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA); 
Environmental Management Bureau (EMB);
Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB);
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR);
National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI); 
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA);
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF);
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA);
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA);
19


1 
(o) 
Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA);
2 
(p) 
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources
3 
Research and Development (PCAARRD);
4 
(q) 
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
5 
Administration (PAGASA);
6 
(r) 
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA);
7 
(s) 
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG);
8 
(t) 
Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG);
9 
(u) 
Philippine Navy (PN);
10 
(v) 
National Museum-Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division
11 
(NM-MUCHD);
12 
(w) 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
13 
(x) 
Relevant institutions and components of the University of the
14 
Philippines (UP); and
15 
(y) 
Investment promotion agencies.
16 
In order to ensure the efficient and effective discharge of its responsibilities,
17 
the Council may create working groups, and call upon other departments, bureaus,
18 
offices, and instrumentalities of the Government, and academic and research
19 
institutions engaged in marine science and ocean-based or ocean-related activities to
20 
participate in working groups, as it may deem necessary.
21
22
CHAPTER XI 
FINAL PROVISIONS
23 
SEC. 33. Congressional Oversight. - For the effective implementation of
24 
this Act, a Congressional Oversight Committee is created to be known as the Blue
25 
Economy Oversight Committee. The Blue Economy Oversight Committee shall be
26 
composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) Representatives to be appointed by the
27 
Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The
28 
Minority shall be entitled to pro rata representation. The Blue Economy Oversight
29 
Committee shall be jointly chaired by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on
30 
Economic Affairs and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Economic Affairs.
20


1 
SEC. 34. Reportoria! Requirements. - The Council shall, within six (6)
2 
months from the effectivity of this Act, formuiate the Poiicy Framework and Strategic
3 
Action Plan on Blue Economy. The Framework shall be subjected to mandatory review
4 
and modification every five (5) years. The Strategic Action Pian shail be subjected to
5 
mandatory annual review and reporting. The Framework and the Strategic Action Plan
6 
reports shall be submitted to the Office of the President and to the Chairpersons of
7 
the Committees on Economic Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
8 
The reports shali be made publicly available through the respective websites of
9 
the reievant government agencies.
10 
The Nationai State of Ocean and Coasts Report (NSOC) may be used for the
11 
blue economy review, monitoring, evaiuation, and reporting process.
12 
SEC. 35. Appropriations. - The initiai impiementation of this Act shail be
13 
charged against the current year's appropriations of the departments or agencies
14 
concerned. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued implementation shail
15 
be included in the respective budgets of the departments, and agencies concerned in
16 
the annuai Generai Appropriations Act.
17 
SEC. 36. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - The Councii shail issue
18 
the impiementing ruies and regulations within sixty (60) days from the approvai of
19 
this Act: Provided, That faiiure to issue ruies and regulations shail not in any manner
20 
affect the executory nature of the provisions of this Act.
21 
SEC. 37. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
22 
unconstitutionai, the remaining provisions not affected shali remain in fuil force and
23 
effect.
24 
SEC. 38. Repeaiing Ciause. - Ail other laws, decrees, executive orders, and
25 
ruies and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
26 
repealed or modified accordingly.
27 
SEC. 39. Effectivity. - This Act shaii take effect fifteen (15) days after its
28 
pubiication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
29 
Approved,
21