Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday urged senators to consider the vital points of integrated coastal management (ICM) as a national strategy in effectively managing and protecting coastal resources.

Villar, chair of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, made the call while discussing the proposed measures on ICM and national coastal greenbelt.

“The integrated coastal management legislation we are considering is not just about protecting our environment. The bill intends to secure the future of our nation, ensure sustainable development, and preserve our natural heritage for generations to come,” Villar said.

She said the necessity of adopting ICM as a national strategy is highlighted by several factors– biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihood, food security, climate change resilience and economic development through tourism.

“The Philippines, as an archipelago with 7,641 islands, has a vast coastline of over 36,000 kilometers, with the majority of its provinces (66 out of 81) located along the coast and about 60 percent of the population living in these areas, the importance of ICM four our country is clear,” she noted.

Upon the proposed adoption of ICM, a National Coordinating Committee on ICM, composed of able representatives of relevant government agencies and stakeholders, will also be created, primarily mandated to formulate, institute and implement a National ICM Framework.

Meanwhile, included in the proposed establishment of a National Coastal Greenbelt Plan is the creation of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Coastal Greenbelt Zones, National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan, and Coastal Greenbelt Incentive Fund. (PNA)