Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 533)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 533 is to adopt Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) as a national strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the Philippines' coastal and marine environment and resources, aiming to achieve food security, sustainable livelihood, poverty alleviation, and reduction of vulnerability to natural hazards while preserving ecological integrity.
ICM shall be implemented in all coastal and marine areas, addressing the inter-linkages among associated watersheds, estuaries, wetlands, and coastal seas by all relevant national and local agencies.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is tasked, in consultation with other concerned agencies, sectors, and stakeholders, to develop the National ICM Programme within one year from the effectivity of the Order.
Key elements include an interagency, multi-sectoral coordinating mechanism; coastal strategies and action plans; public awareness programmes; mainstreaming ICM in government planning and resource allocation; capacity building; integrated environmental monitoring; and sustainable financing mechanisms.
Local Government Units (LGUs) are the frontline agencies responsible for the formulation, planning, and implementation of ICM programmes in their respective coastal and marine areas, consistent with the Local Government Code and national policies.
Civil society organizations, NGOs, academe, people’s organizations, and the private and corporate sectors are to be engaged as partners in planning, community organizing, research, technology transfer, information sharing, investment, and training related to the ICM programmes.
ICM is described as a dynamic and comprehensive process involving planning and management with stakeholder participation that analyzes environmental and socioeconomic implications, ecosystem processes, and the interrelationships among land-based and marine activities across jurisdictions.
Best practices include coastal and marine use zonation; sustainable fisheries and conservation; protection and rehabilitation of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, and other habitats; upland and watershed management; integrated waste management; port safety and environmental protection; and involvement of the private sector.
Concerned national agencies are to provide policy guidance, technical and resource assistance to the DENR and LGUs, and consult directly with LGUs in the development and implementation of plans and projects affecting coastal and marine areas.
Funding mechanisms include allocation of government budgets, sourcing local and international grants and donations, loan and financing schemes formulated by financial institutions, revenue generation by LGUs through tax ordinances, user fees, privatization of enterprises, public-private partnerships, and inter-LGU cooperation.