In the bill’s explanatory note, Rep. Benitez stated that HB 69 combines all interventions into a single framework that promotes a whole-of-nation approach to developing, managing, protecting, and preserving the country’s marine and coastal resources in a sustainable manner.

He also hoped that the TWG in its subsequent meetings would be able to resolve problems to establish a maritime governance framework that clarifies and highlights the complementary roles between government agencies to benefit the country’s maritime sector and the Filipino people.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC), through its Legislative Liaison System Secretariat Head Mylene Claudio, recommended that the proposed Blue Economy Act and its framework should strongly emphasize sustainable actions on matters related to addressing losses and harm inflicted on the country’s coastal and marine ecosystems. The CCC also proposed that the blue carbon ecosystem be made an integral part of the blue economy as a mechanism for pursuing a low-carbon economy.

University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS) Legal Officer Neil Simon Silva suggested that the proposed Blue Economy Act should include the airspace over territorial waters.
The TWG will convene anew upon the submission of the position papers of other concerned government agencies.

The House Committee on Economic Affairs is chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Gerardo Valmayor Jr.