Integrated Coastal Ecosystem Management program proposed

A lawmaker is pushing for an integrated coastal ecosystem management blueprint to preserve the country's coastal and marine environment while promoting sustainable economic development.

"The extent of the marine territory of the country is seven times its land area, yet there is no comprehensive plan to sustainably exploit the vast marine wealth. Ironically, land-based economic activities have largely contributed to the devastations of coastal and marine areas," TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza laments.

Mendoza is author of HB 2332 to be known as “An Act Adopting Integrated Coastal Ecosystem Management (ICEM) as a national strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the country's coastal and marine environment and establishing support mechanisms for its implementation."

The ICEM, Mendoza said, shall be implemented in all coastal and marine areas, addressing inter-linkages among associated watersheds, estuaries and wetlands, and coastal seas, by all relevant national and local agencies.

Despite the significant contribution of the coastal and marine areas to the nation's GDP, development planning in the Philippines is still described as largely land focused, the author pointed out.

The country is among the world's largest archipelagic states, composed of some 7,100 islands or 300,000 sq. km. of land area and some 36,000 km. of coastline, and covering an exclusive economic zone of about 2.2 million sq. km.

Almost half of the nation's population lives in coastal areas and the annual benefit derived from coastal ecosystems is estimated at probably more than P180-billion. Some experts estimate that the contribution of coastal areas to the annual GDP can even be as high as 60%, Mendoza revealed.

"In 2006 alone, GDP was at P5.4-trillion. A World Bank and DENR report/survey also showed that in 1996 80% of the coastal households lived below the poverty threshold," Mendoza added.

He pointed out that the fisheries sector is most significant if only for the number of people dependent on it. In 1996, there were about a million fishermen, 68% of whom were municipal or small-scale fishermen. Fisheries contribute about 2-4% of GDP.

"Maritime transport contributes significantly to the growth of the transportation sector, which as a whole contributed about 7% to GDP. Coastal tourism is a major growth area, with 18 of the top 25 tourist attractions of the country located in coastal areas," Mendoza said.

Furthermore, he said that Mining is coastal areas is also expanding mostly in oil and gas and major industrial areas are located in the coastal zone, where water is used for industrial processes or for transport of raw materials and products.

Under HB 2332, a national ICEM Program shall be developed by the DENR, in consultation with other concerned agencies, sectors, stakeholders, within one year from the effectivity of the Act to provide direction, support and guidance to the local government units and stakeholders in the development and implementation of their local ICEM programs.

The National ICEM Program shall include principles, strategies, and action plans identified after balancing national development priorities with local concerns, define national ICEM targets and develop a national ICEM coordinating mechanism.

Among other vital provisions, the ICEM programs shall promote the application of best practices, such as, but not limited to: 1) coastal and marine use zonal blue print as a management tool; 2) sustainable fisheries and conservation of living resources; 3) protection and rehabilitation of coral reefs, mangroves, sea-grass, estuaries and other habitats, particularly through implementation of marine protected areas, nature reserves and sanctuaries; 4) development of upland, watershed, catchment areas and urban wide management approaches; 5) Integrated waste management, including sewage, and solid, hazardous, toxic and other wastes by major sources; 6) integrated management of port safety, health, security and environmental protection; and 7) involvement of the private sector/business sector as a partner in ICEM.

All relevant national government agencies and LGUs shall allocate adequate funds for the development and implementation of ICEM programs from their existing budget.

In subsequent budget proposals, the concerned offices and units shall appropriate budget for ICEM program development and implementation including continuing ICEM training and education.