FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OFTHE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No: 1370 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to ensure optimum resource utilization and sustainable 
coastal and marine development through the adoption ci an Integrated Coastal 
Management (ICM) program, which shall be mainstreamed and implemented 
in all levels, starting from national to grassroots levels. 
Degradation of our coastal areas has long ceased to be merely an 
environmental ,issue 
as 
it pushed 
poverty 
deeper 
in 
the 
coastal 
communities through losses jn livelihood, vulnerability to natural hazards, 
and even health problems, While efforts have been undertaken from the past 
20 years, the programs lack a comprehensive and integrated 
approach that 
should have 
effectively managed 
coastal resources and prevented further 
problems. 
Recognizing the necessity to put in place a comprehensive framework 
that will promote the sustainable development ci the coastal and marine 
environment and resources, this bill proposes to develop a national ICM 
program that shall provide direction, support, and guidance to the local 
government 
units 
(LGUs) in 
the development d 
their respective ICM 
programs. The Department ci Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as 
the primary agency tasked in developing said program, shall consult with all 
the stakeholders and concerned agencies and sectors. It shall likewise submit 
an annual report on the status of the program's implementation to the 
President. 
This 
bill 
further 
mandates 
inter-agency 
and 
multi-sectoral 
coordination in implementing ICM programs, ensuring participation ci 
the national government through its various agencies. To strengthen the 
objective ci this bill, supporting mechanisms and activities are proposed to be 
put in place such as: 
1. ICM Education 
2, ICM Training program for LGUs 
3. Environmental and Natural Resource Accounting and Valuation for lCM 
Planning 
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4. Coastal and Marine Environmental Information Management System. 
To help carry out the rCM programs, government financial institutions and 
other similar and relevant financial institutions shall formulate and identify 
financing schemes, including livelihood projects for small-scale fishers and 
cooperatives. Local and intermitional grants are also allowed to support the 
coastal management activities and programs, especially ci the LGUs. 
Through a national ICM program and a systematic and comprehensive 
approach in implementing the same, we will be able to realize our goal d achieving 
food security, sustainable livelihood, poverty alleviation, and reduction ci 
vulnerability to natural hazards while preserving ecological integrity. 
In view ci the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~LOREN L~--~­
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1370 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
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 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This law shall be known as "The Integrated Coastal Management 
Act." 
Sec. 2. Policy Statement. - It shall be the policy of the State to insure optimum resource 
utilization and sustainable coastal and marine development. Towards this end, it shall 
adopt Integrated Coastal Management, hereinafter referred to as rCM, and related 
approaches such as coastal resource management or coastal zone management as the 
national management policy framework to promote the sustainable development of the 
coastal and marine environment and resources in order to achieve food security, 
sustainable livelihood, poverty alleviation, and reduction of vulnerability to natural 
hazards while preserving ecological integrity. 
Sec. 3. Scope and Coverage. - rCM shall be implemented in all coastal and marine areas, 
addressing the inter-linkages among associated watersheds, estuaries, and wetlands, and 
coastal seas, by all relevant national and local agencies. 
Sec. 4. Development of a National ICM Program. - A National ICM Program shall be 
developed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in consultation with 
other concerned agencies, sectors and stakeholders, within one year from the effectivity of 
this Act to provide direction, support and guidance to the Local Government Units (LGUs) 
1 


and stakeholders in the developm~nt and implementation of their local ICM programs. 
The National rCM Program shall include principles, strategies and action plans identified 
after balancing national development priorities with local concerns, define national ICM 
targets and develop a national rCM coordinating mechanism. 
Sec 5. Implementation of reM Program. - 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. 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 for addressing priority issues and concerns; 
c. public awareness programs to increase the level of understanding of, 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 ICM program; 
d. mainstreaming ICM programs into the national and local governments' planning 
and socio-economic development programs and allocating adequate financial and 
human resources for implementation; 
e. 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; 
f. integrated environmental monitoring for the purpose of measuring the status, 
progress and impacts of management programs against sustainable development 
indicators, as may be established, and for use in decision-making, public awareness, 
, 
and performance evaluation; and 
g. 
Investment 
opportunities and sustainable 
financing 
mechanisms 
for 
environmental protection and improvement and resource conservation. 
ICM programs shall promote the application of best practices, such as, but not limited to: 
a. Coastal and marine use zonation as a management tool; 
b. Sustainable fisheries and conservation of living resources; 
c. Protection and rehabilitation of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, estuaries 
and other habitats, particularly through implementation of marine protected 
areas, nature reserves and sanctuaries; 
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d. Development of upland watershed, catchment areas and basin-wide 
management approaches; 
e. Integrated waste management, including sewage and solid, hazardous, toxic, 
and other wastes by major sources; 
f. Integrated management of port safety, health, security and environmental 
protection; and 
g. Involvement of the private sector/business sector as a partner in ICM. 
Sec. 6. National Government Responsibilities. - All concerned national agencies shall 
support the implementation of the ICM program and promote best practices, some of 
which were indicated in Sec. 5, that fall within their respective mandates. Specifically, the 
, 
Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, 
Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Finance, Department 
of Tourism, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Foreign 
Affairs, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Energy, Department of 
National Defense, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Social 
Welfare and Development, Department ,of Labor and Employment, and the Department 
of Justice shall iderltify, prepare, and provide policy guidance, and technical resource 
assistance to DENR and LGUs in the implementation of the National and Local ICM 
Programs and enforcement of relevant coastal and marine policies and regulations. These 
agencies shall directly consult with relevant LGUs in the development and 
implementation of national plans and projects affecting coastal and marine areas in their 
respective localities. 
Sec. 7. LGU Responsibilities for IeM. - Consistent with the provision of the Local 
Government Code (Republic Act 7160) and the national sustainable development policies 
and strategies, LGUs shall act as the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and 
implementation of IeM programs in their respective coastal and marine areas. The lCM 
programs of the LGU shall be in line with the National ICM Program and prepared in 
consultation with the relevant stakeholders. LGUs shall update their respective ICM 
programs to reflect changing social, economic, and environmental conditions and 
emerging issues. LGUs shall furnish the DENR within one month from adoption, with 
copies of their ICM programs and all subsequent amendments, modifications and 
revisions. LGUs shall mobilize and allocate necessary personnel, resources and logistics to 
effectively implement their respective ICM programs. Barangays shall be directly involved 
3 


with municipal and city governments in prioritizing coastal issues and identifying and 
implementing solutions. Municipal and city governments shall consider rCM as one of 
their regular functions. Provincial governments shall provide technical assistance, 
enforcement and information management in support of municipal and city ICM. Inter-
LGU collaboration shall be maximized in the conduct of activities related to sustaining the 
country's coastal and marine resources. 
Sec. 8. Roles of the Civil Society and the Corporate and Private Sectors. - In the 
development and implementation of the ICM program, the NGOs, civic organizations, 
academe, people's organizations, the private and corporate sectors and other concerned 
stakeholder groups shall be engaged in activities such as planning, community organizing, 
research, technology transfer, information sharing, investment and training programs. 
Sec. 9. Supporting Mechanisms and Activities. - The following activities shall be 
undertaken in support of the implementation of ICM programs: 
a. ICM Education. The Department of Education shall integrate ICM into the 
primary and secondary education curricula and/ or subjects, such as, but not 
limited to, Science, Biology, History, induding textbooks, primers and other 
educational materials, basic principles and concepts of conservation, protection and 
management of marine resources; 
b. ICM Training Promam for LGUs. The DENR and the DILG, through the Local 
Government Academy and building upon existing ICM expertise and experiences, 
shall develop and' provide ICM training programs to LGUs; 
c. Environmental and Natural Resource Accounting and Valuation for ICM 
Planning. NEDA and the National Statistics Coordination Board shall incorporate 
coastal and marine resource accounting in the national and regional accounts; and 
d. Coastal and Marine Environmental Information Management System. The DENR 
shall oversee the establishment and maintenance of a coastal and marine 
environmental information management system and network, in collaboration with 
other concerned national government agencies, institutions and LGUs. 
Sec. 10. Monitoring of ICM Progress.- The DENR shall prepare and submit an annual 
progress report on the National ICM Program to the President. LGUs shall submit annual 
progress reports on local ICM program implementation to the DENR. 
4 


Sec. 11. Budgetary Appropriation for ICM. - All relevant government agencies and LGUs 
shall allocate adequate funds for the development and implementation of rCM programs 
from their existing budgets. In subsequent budget proposals, the concerned offices and 
units shall appropriate budget for rCM program development and implementation 
including continuing rCM training and education. 
Sec. 12. Other Funding Options. -. National government agencies may source local and 
international grants and donations in support of rCM implementation and in accordance 
with relevant laws. 
The Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, People's 
Credit and Finance Corporation and other relevant financial institutions shall formulate 
and identify loan and financing mechanisms that will be made available to support local 
rCM programs, including alternative livelihood projects for small-scale fishers and 
cooperatives. 
LGUs, particularly coastal cities or municipalities, as may be allowed under relevant laws, 
may raise revenues and secure funds to implement their rCM program through: 
1. Enactment of Tax Ordinances; 
2. Allocation of Funds fr;om the Internal Revenue Allotment, subject to the approval of 
their legislative councils; 
3. Utilization of shares in the development of national wealth; 
4. Secure loans, grants and donations as may be applicable; 
5. Privatization of local government-owned enterprises; 
6. Adopt, as appropriate, user fee schemes for waste management, exclusive use 
of coastal water areas for commercial and leisure purposes and other 
environmental services; 
7. Public-Private Partnership schemes under the Build-Operate-Transfer Law 
(Republic Act 6957 as amended by Republic Act 7718) and related laws; 
8. Arrange credit financing schemes; and 
9. Raise income through inter-LGU cooperation. 
Sec. 13. Sepa.raZ,ility Clause. - If for any reason any section or provision of this Act is 
declared by the Court as unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions 
thereof shaH not be affected thereby. 
5 


SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other 
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its complete publication in the Official 
Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general, circulation. 
Approved, 
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