Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has refiled the proposed Blue Economy Act, aiming to promote sustainable maritime development and protect the Philippines’ marine ecosystems. The bill previously stalled in the 19th Congress after the Senate and House could not reconcile their versions.
Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, stressed:
“The measure would ensure that economic gains from the marine and maritime domain are sustained without undermining ocean health that supports long-term growth for current and future generations of Filipinos.”
If passed, the law would create a Blue Economy Council comprising key government leaders, including the heads of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development.
The council would coordinate agencies and direct investments to ocean-based activities, ensuring economic growth does not compromise marine health.
While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. supports the initiative, it is not among the 21 priority measures set by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
In the 20th Congress, the House approved a consolidated version in December 2025 and sent it to the Senate.
The legislation highlights the urgent need to balance economic expansion with environmental stewardship, allowing the Philippines to leverage its maritime resources sustainably while safeguarding ocean ecosystems for the future.