Executive Order No. 117, August 11, 1993

ESTABLISHING AN INTER AGENCY TASK FORCE FOR COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

WHEREAS, Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines ordains that the State shall protect the nations marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone;

WHEREAS, consistent with this mandate, it is imperative to institutionalize a cooperative and coordinated working relationship among department/agencies to strengthen the present support structures enforcing coastal environmental protection throughout the archipelago and optimize government efforts, as government resources may permit, to more efficient and effective levels;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Navy initiated, on localized basis, the establishment of an inter-agency task force, TF Sagip Buhay Dagat, with other government agencies, in Davao, for the effective protection of our marine and aquatic resources and that the successful experience/results gained therefrom made more manifest the need to implement/set-up the same working program, on a broader scale, to promote a national awareness on the priority of environmental concerns, and to insure a more effective and sustained law enforcement system on this regard, throughout the country;

WHEREAS, there is a need to create a cohesive coordinating body that shall trigger the needed response to fittingly meet the constitutional mandate and ensure the governments compliance thereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. The Inter-Agency Task Force for Coastal Environmental Protection (IATFCEP) is hereby established and institutionalized, and shall be composed of the following:

1. The Executive Secretary

2. The Secretary of National Defense

3. The Secretary of Interior and Local Government

4. The Secretary of Agriculture

5. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources

6. The Secretary of Justice

7. The Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy

8. The Director General, Philippine National Police Force

The Chairman of the IATFCEP shall be the Secretary of the department designated herein as a lead agency thereof.

Section 2. For the first year of its existence, the Department of National Defense and Philippine Navy shall be designated as the lead agencies of IATFCEP in conceptualizing, improving and implementing an overall program of action to protect the countrys coastal waters, particularly in twenty one (21) protected/priority areas:

1) Sual-Alaminos-Bolinao, Pangasinan

2) Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan

3) Bani Pt., Masinloc, Zambales

4) Apo Reef, Occidental Mindoro

5) Cuyo Island Group, Palawan

6) Taytay Bay, Palawan

7) Ulugan Bay, Palawan

8) Quinalasag Island Group, Camarines Sur

9) Sorsogon Bay, Sorsogon

10) Sapian Bay, Capiz

11) Carbin Reef, Sagay, Negros Occidental

12) Apo Island, Negros Oriental

13) Bindoy Reef, Negros Oriental

14) Mahanay Island, Talibon, Bohol

15) Olango Island, Cebu

16) Guiuan, Samar

17) Initao, Misamis Oriental

18) Murcielagos Bay, Misamis Oriental

19) Sarangani Bay, South Cotabato

20) Pujada Bay, Davao Oriental

21) Marungas Island Group, Sulu

22) Others as may be designated later

Thereafter, the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police shall take over as IATFCEPs lead agencies.

Section 3. The IATFCEP shall perform the following functions and responsibilities:

a) Formulate policies and priorities, promulgate guidelines and develop effective enforcement programs for coastal environmental protection on the national, regional and local levels;

b) Enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the lead agencies and IATFCEP member agencies, or with any requesting LGU, on a location-specific or regional level, to fully implement this Executive Order;

c) Deputize, pursuant to the MOA(s) entered into with any government agency or department, agency officials/personnel to insure an effective and sustained law enforcement and protection of the coastal environment on a local, regional or national level;

d) Coordinate, monitor and evaluate coastal environmental protection programs/development projects initiated by the Government, local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations for a sustained law enforcement towards a more effective and efficient protection of our marine waters and aquatic resources;

e) Undertake information dissemination and education campaigns on coastal environmental protection to create greater awareness on coastal environmental concerns and protective measures;

f) Propose, from time to time and as the need arises, to the President the passage of laws or amendments or presidential issuances to enhance the protection of our coastal environment; and

g) Perform such other tasks as may be necessary and incidental to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order and the purpose for which the IATFCEP had been established.

Section 4. The IATFCEP shall promulgate the necessary implementing guidelines for the accomplishment of the objectives of this Executive Order.

Section 5. The IATFCEP is hereby authorized to call on and mobilize any government agency or instrumentality, including local government units and government-owned or controlled corporations, and also non-governmental agencies or institutions, for support and assistance in the implementation of this Executive Order.

Section 6. The IATFCEP shall be assisted by a Technical Working Group to be headed by the representative of the lead department and consisting of the representatives of the members hereof, whose offices shall be seated in such place as the lead department may provide/determine.

Section 7. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-three.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) TEOFISTO T. GUINGONA, JR.

Executive Secretary