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Coastal resources in the Philippines are being degraded by natural disasters and a variety of anthropogenic activities that modify and can permanently ruin important coastal ecosystem functions such as the filtration of sediments and pollutants, protection of coastal land from erosion, and the nursery grounds for juvenile fishes. Upon the passing of Local Government Code in 1991 and Fisheries Code in 1998, a broad range of power and responsibilities for coastal resources management were devolved to the Local Government Units (LGUs).
Through the Local Government Code of 1991, enforcing laws pertaining to fisheries and other coastal resource management within their jurisdiction is primarily the responsibility of the local government units. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Philippine National Police - Maritime Group (PNP-MG) are among the other NGAs that play a part in the effective implementation of coastal regulations. There are also other NGAs that can and will provide specialized support or assistance to these four. Overall, the authority, responsibility, and capability of the nation's coastal law enforcement is decentralized as no single NGA has the sufficient number of trained personnel, resources, or seaborne assets to enforce laws related to CRM.
National Government Agencies (NGAs) mandate for Coastal Enforcement Laws as per Philippine Coastal Management Guidebook Series No. 8
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) may act upon any formal complaints against local government officials and the police who are remiss in their law enforcement duties.
Philippine National Police (PNP) is mandated to enforce all laws relative to lives and properties, investigate and prevent crimes, effect arrest, bring offenders to justice, issue licenses to firearms and explosives.
Philippine National Police - Maritime Group (PNP-MG) is vested with the authority to perform all police functions over Philippine territorial waters and rivers, coastal areas to shoreline to one mile inland to include ports and harbors and small islands of two miles in length or diameter with 1,000 population.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is responsible for enforcement of Philippine environmental laws on the high seas to ensure safety at sea. Ensures the enforcement of marine anti-pollution laws. maritime safety administration, marine environment protection, maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and maritime operations.
Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) is responsible for the enforcement of all laws, regulations, rules governing the conservation and management of fishery resources except on municipal waters.
Philippine Navy (PN) is one of the law enforcement agencies authorized by RA 8550 to enforce all fisheries laws, rules, and regulation. The main responsibility of this branch is to assist LGUs and other government agencies and NGOs in coastal environment conservation and protection efforts such as mangrove planting, coastal and underwater cleanup, artificial reef laying.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is primarily responsible for issuance of policies, regulatory functions, and programs related to the coastal environment with a special focus on foreshore areas, mangrove management, and associated terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals found within the marine zone. The department is also responsible for administration and supervision of all national protected areas declared or proclaimed by the President or legislated by Congress. Despite the passage of LGC, the DENR still retained many environmental management functions through the Office of the Secretary or through different line bureaus such as environmental management bureaus.
Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance Region 7 (CLEAR-7) is the manifestation of the multi-agency approach of the different NGAs, NGOs, and LGUs which aims to promote sustainable fishing. It was established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in June 2000 between the regional offices of DENR, DA-BFAR, PNP-MG, NBI, Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission, and some NGOs. By virtue of Proclamation 1234 of 1998, the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) became one of the enforcing bodies for the protection and conservation of the natural resources of Tañon Strait. TSPS together with the CLEAR-7 imposes the effective and efficient enforcement of coastal resource management, laws, rules, and regulations of the protected area. Considering that each municipality has its own ordinances, rules, and regulations regarding coastal management, the TSPS also harmonizes and rationalizes the laws for municipal waters versus strait-wide enforcement.
The TSPS created composite teams for strait-wide law enforcement composed of primarily the personnel of different law enforcement agency representatives, as identified in the law, to efficiently improve, protect, and conserve the marine resources in the strait. Landscape and Wildlife Indicator (LAWIN) Patrol Teams and Seaborne Patrol Teams are examples of the composite teams created for proper enforcement of coastal and environmental laws within the jurisdiction of TSPS.
LAWIN Patrol and Joint Seaborne Patrol in different SMUs discovered that the most underlying threats that exist in the coasts of Tañon were the improper garbage disposals of coastal communities and illegal structures within the demarcated zones of TSPS. To combat these, the team identifies the sites of concern and organizes a monthly coastal clean-up drive aiming to restore and reclaim the coastal area, eradicating plastic debris that are detrimental to the health of the ecosystem. During the clean-up drive, the team encourages the coastal communities to participate in the initiative to inform and ground them of the negative consequences of improper waste disposal practices.
Since the adoption of DENR Administrative Order 2018-21, the LAWIN patrol teams recorded about 500 illegal constructions of facilities and other structures within the demarcated zones of TSPS. This year, the team covered 674 kilometers during their patrol. Additionally, the joint seaborne patrol of TSPS together with different government agencies documented and apprehended an estimated amount of 21 illegal fishing activities from 2017 up to the present.
During the activities, it is duly recognized the role of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign within the TSPS in order to foster awareness among the residents and instilling a sense of responsibility and advocating responsible waste management practices to prompt a behavioral shift towards responsible waste disposal habits, fostering a collective commitment to preserving the balance of marine ecosystem of the coastal areas.
