HB10479: BLUE ECONOMY ACT
This bill establishes the "Blue Economy Act," aiming to create a comprehensive framework for the sustainable use and development of the Philippines' vast marine wealth, recognizing its critical role in the national economy and patrimony. It seeks to transform ocean-based industries into sustainable activities by promoting stewardship of seas and coasts, protecting marine ecosystems, and integrating environmental-economic accounting into national policies. The bill highlights the Philippines' status as an archipelagic and maritime nation with rich marine resources, emphasizing the need for harmonized policies and strengthened enforcement to combat overexploitation and pollution.
The significance of this legislation lies in its potential to ensure long-term prosperity and environmental integrity for the Filipino people by fostering a "whole-of-nation approach" to maritime governance. By renaming and reconstituting the National Coast Watch Council as the National Maritime Council, with expanded functions to formulate integrated strategies for blue economy and ecosystem-based management, the bill aims to facilitate cohesive action across government, academia, NGOs, and the private sector. It also mandates the integration of ocean literacy into educational curricula, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the ocean's influence and the human impact on it.