Promotion of Integrated Governance towards the Development of a National Ocean Environments Management Policy and Defining the Responsibilities of DENR Offices and Bureaus for This Purpose

DENR Administrative Order No. 2025-27

Subject: Promotion of Integrated Governance towards the Development of a National Ocean Environments Management Policy and Defining the Responsibilities of DENR Offices and Bureaus

Signed: August 27, 2025 . Published: The Manila Times, November 3, 2025

Rationale

Ocean environments and coastal and marine ecosystems underpin the ocean economy and provide regulating, supporting, and cultural services not captured in national accounts. They face biodiversity loss, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, emerging ocean industries, overfishing, eutrophication, and pollution, requiring a ridge-to-reef-to-shelf approach and stronger institutional arrangements.

Legal Basis

Executive Order No. 192, s. 1987; RA 7586 as amended by RA 11038 (E-NIPAS); RA 9147 (Wildlife Act); EO 533, s. 2006 (Integrated Coastal Management); RA 11995 (PENCAS Act); RA 12064 (Philippine Maritime Zones Act); RA 12065 (Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act); DAO 2016-26 (CMEMP); DAO 2025-08 (Marine Scientific Research Stations); and DENR Special Order No. 2025-98 creating the Ocean Environments Task Force (OETF).

Objectives

Mandate formulation of a National Ocean Environments Policy through the OETF, in coordination with national agencies and stakeholders, and streamline the roles of DENR offices and bureaus.

Section 4. Mandated Functions

The Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) will be progressively expanded beyond NIPAS areas to all coastal and marine ecosystems under DENR jurisdiction, with amendments to DAO 2016-26 to follow. The BMB Coastal and Marine Division leads: a National ICM Programme and an Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management strategy; a Blue Economy Framework; technical standards for Marine Spatial Planning and a Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure; and policies on access and benefit-sharing for digital sequence information on marine genetic resources. It also supports MPAs, MPA networks, critical habitats, and OECMs, including in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Section 5. Ocean Environments Task Force

The OETF is the principal body for harmonizing ocean policy and a source of expert advice. Its functions include recommending an Executive Order for the National Ocean Environments Policy and legislation for a proposed Ocean Environments Management Bureau; mainstreaming science, including a steering committee for the Marine Scientific Research Stations program; inter-agency coordination; and monitoring and trend analysis. Recommendations go to the Secretary, vetted by the Executive Committee or the Policy Technical Working Group. BMB-CMD serves as secretariat.

Section 6. Responsibilities of DENR Offices

• FMB: watersheds, mangroves, and beach forests; rules preventing cutting of mangroves serving coastal protection.
• LMB: foreshore and reclaimed land.
• EMB: enhanced EIA for marine and coastal activities, including offshore wind, other marine renewables, and seabed mining, and for areas beyond national jurisdiction; and policies on plastic pollution, marine litter and microplastics, eutrophication, and oil spills.
• ERDB: coastal and marine research agenda, ecosystem valuation methods, and marine biotechnology.
• MGB: assessment, mapping, and valuation of offshore environments and resources.
• NAMRIA: oceanography, hydrographic surveys, and seabed mapping.
• PPS, CCS, KISS, FASPS, and SCIS: policy alignment and environmental-economic accounting under PENCAS; climate adaptation and a blue carbon strategy; data systems and damage assessment for pollution events; a blue finance framework; and ocean literacy communications.

Enforcement, Capacity, and Organization

Field Operations cascades enforcement with support from ELEPS and coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard. HRDS develops a capacity-building program, including UP Marine Science Institute professional masters programs. An Organizational Transformation Plan will propose restructuring and a new staffing pattern, and articulate the long-term vision of a dedicated Ocean Environments Management Bureau. Funding comes from the budgets of the Office of the Secretary and BMB.

Effectivity

Takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication and upon acknowledgement by ONAR.

Signed by Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla. Summary prepared by EnviSynergy from the official DENR issuance; refer to the full text for binding provisions.