Bangsamoro Parliament introduces bill to safeguard coastal environment

COTABATO CITY - The Bangsamoro Parliament has taken a significant step towards preserving the coastal environment in the region by introducing Bill No. 180, or the Bangsamoro Integrated Coastal Management Act of 2023.

The bill aims to establish a mechanism and adopt an integrated coastal management policy that will promote sustainable development while preserving the ecological integrity of the region.

Recognizing the immense value of the diverse coastal ecosystems in the Bangsamoro region, the authors of the bill, MPs Amilbahar Mawallil, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Atty. Sittie Fahanie Uy-Oyod, Dr. Hashemi Dilangalen, and Hamid Malik, underscored the critical ecological, economic, and cultural benefits these areas provide to local communities.

The coastal areas serve as crucial transportation hubs, connecting communities within the region and across the country. However, MP Mawallil noted that these environments face various threats, including overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and the impacts of climate change such as rising sea levels and increasing ocean temperatures.

In response to these challenges, the proposed bill advocates for the adoption of integrated coastal management policies and related approaches, including coastal resource management, as the regional framework for sustainable development. This framework will facilitate sustainable development, achieve food security, promote sustainable livelihoods, alleviate poverty, reduce vulnerability to natural hazards, and ensure the preservation of ecological integrity.

Regulating fishing practices, reducing pollution, and conserving habitat areas through the establishment of marine protected areas are among the key measures highlighted in the bill to ensure the continued health and productivity of coastal environments. The authors also stressed the importance of education and awareness-raising campaigns to encourage sustainable practices and foster active community involvement in protecting local ecosystems.

"By implementing measures to safeguard these valuable ecosystems, we can ensure that they continue to provide benefits to current and future generations," Mawallil explained.

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy will provide guidelines for coastal zoning and management, including the delineation of coastal areas, identification of land uses, and regulation of activities in the coastal zone.

An Integrated Coastal Management Council will be created to oversee the implementation of the integrated coastal management policy. This council will develop and implement a coastal management plan, take measures to protect and conserve coastal and marine ecosystems, coordinate with law enforcement agencies to enforce laws and regulations, collaborate with the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism to develop sustainable economic activities, and work with the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government to ensure the active participation of local government units and stakeholders in the integrated coastal management process.

MP Mawallil highlighted the importance of safeguarding valuable ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. By implementing the measures outlined in the bill, he said, the Bangsamoro region can ensure the sustainable use of its coastal resources while protecting the environment. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)