Chapter 2:

EXISTING SITUATION

2.1. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Location
Bataan is located in the southwestern part
of the Central Luzon Region. It lies approximately at
coordinates 120o 15 to 120o 40 latitude and 14o
20 to 14o 50 longitude. It is bounded on the north
by the provinces of Zambales, on the northeast by
Pampanga, on the west by South China Sea, and
on the east by Manila Bay.
Climate
The climate in Bataan is categorized under
Type I. There are two distinct seasons: the rainy
season and dry season. The rainy season starts on
the month of May and ends up around the month of
October. The rest of the year is dry with occasional
rains dispersed widely throughout the province.
Occasional typhoons visit the area especially
during the months of June to September.

Undulating mountains serve as scenic background to the

plains of the province..

covering 80.9 percent of its whole area (Figure 4).

The lowlands and plains, which comprise 19.1
percent of the land area of the province, are
generally flat, gently rising towards the hills. These
areas comprise most of the agricultural portion
of Bataan, found along the northern and eastern
coasts facing Manila Bay.
Hydrology

Topography
Bataan is a mountainous land mass,
dominated largely by uplands, hills, and mountains,

The province is drained by numerous rivers

and small streams with very few meanders radiating
and sloping from the mountain groups down to
the sea draining the whole area efficiently. There
are more than one hundred rivers in the province
which are very important not only for irrigation but
also for purposes of navigation and fishing.
Geomorphology

Figure 4. Slope Map

The whole province of Bataan can be

classified broadly with one volcanic terrain. Most
of the highest elevations are considered parts of the
collapsed caldera forming a ring-like structure with
the suspected mouths, Mount Natib and Mariveles.
Other high peaks are most likely the satellite vents
of major volcanic craters presently occurring and
dikes along the upper and mid-slopes of the
volcano. Bordering these morpho-landforms are

11

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

lava fields and flow plains with deep incision, steep

cliffs, occasional gorges, and minor cascades.
Coastal areas are classified by typical
marine land forms such as beaches, ridges, swales,
and foreshore sand bars.
Geology
Basically, Bataan is tectonically sitting
directly on top of an active subduction zone, which
centers along the Manila trench. It is believed that
this zone was responsible for the Early Pliocene to
Early Holocene period of volcanic activities giving
rise to varied depositions of volcanic rocks in the
whole peninsula.
There are three (3) rock strategic units
exposed in the area, namely: quaternary pyroclastics
(QP), quaternary plug (Qp) and quaternary
alluvium (Qal).

In the eastern flank of the Bataan peninsula

lays two large volcanic edifices, Mt. Natib on the
north and Mt. Mariveles on the south.
Faults and Earthquake-prone Areas
An analysis of seismic tectonic elements
proximate to Bataan indicates the following:

Quaternary pyroclastics occupy the rolling

to hilly ground with infrequent deep incision in
several sections of creeks and rivers. It is composed
of volcanic breccias, tuff and tuff breccias, and
lahars.

The East Zambales Fault, a recently

active tectonic lineament closely
related to Mt. Pinatubo is about
60 km. east of the municipality of
Samal;
The Manila Trench, an active
subduction zone, is 120 km. west of
Luzon in the South China Sea;
The seismically active Lubang Island
Mindoro Fault is about 100 km. to
the south;
The Digdig Fault (100 km. to the
northeast) is the epicenter of the 7.8
magnitude North Luzon earthquake
in July 1990; and,
The rest of the Philippine Fault is
farther to the eastern side of Luzon.

Quaternary plug is made wholly of

alticandesites rock.
Quaternary alluvium occupies the lowlying areas which include the beaches and plains.
These deposits are derived from weathering
and erosion of older volcanic rocks that were
later transported and deposited along stream
channels.
Volcanoes
The presence of a chain of volcanoes
in the Zambales Bataan region, including the
currently active Mt. Pinatubo, may put the province
under threat of volcanic eruption. Mt. Pinatubo,
some 40 kms. to the north, deposited a relatively
thin but widespread ash cover over the Olongapo
Subic North Bataan area during its last eruption.
Similarly, the smaller, dormant volcanoes are Mt.
Sta. Rita and Mt. Malasimbo.

12

Figure 5. Seismicity of Bataan and vicinity

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

Map 3. Coastal Habitats and Resources

13

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

Fine sandy beaches can be found in Bagac.

These tectonic elements are probable

earthquake generators that would trigger groundshaking and ground displacement. Bautista, et.al.
(1992) have conducted probabilistic estimate of
peak ground acceleration. For the Bataan area,
a ground acceleration value of 0.1 g (1 times the
force of gravity) within a 50-year return period
was estimated. In the same study, Bautista, et.al.
suggested that the risk of tsunami along the coastal
areas of Bataan cannot be discounted since
tectonic features around Bataan are capable of
generating tsunamegenic earthquakes. Historically,
the occurrence of a tsunami in Bataan that has
been last recorded was on December 7, 1677.
Based on the distribution of earthquake
epicenters in the whole archipelago, the strongest is,
in fact, the eastern section, i.e. Eastern Mindanao,
Samar, and Leyte. However, other relative active
parts are the vicinities of Lubang Island Mindoro,
the East Luzon Trench, Casiguran Fault, Digdig
Fault, and the northern segment of the Philippine
Fault Zone, all of which are within the 150-km.
radius of the province (Figure 5).
Water Quality
Coastal marine waters support a dynamic
ecosystem and contain valuable natural resources
that are important to the coastal community.
The inseparable relationship between land use
and water quality are major issues in the coastal
zone.
The Bataan coastal area is receiving
drainage from immediate watersheds through

14

Thick mangrove areas exist along the shorelines of Bataan.

tributaries and major river systems. Large amounts

of waste drain into the coastal waters from domestic
discharges.
With rapid increase in population and
industrialization within the coastal area, water
quality is expected to deteriorate. Contamination of
the Bataan coastal and marine waters will continue
to increase with the inevitable population and
economic growth. The sources of contamination
that eventually lead to marine pollution are
domestic and industrial wastes, agro-chemical
loading, siltation/sedimentation, toxic and
hazardous wastes, and oil pollution.

2.2. BIO-PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Muddy tide flats along with alluvial sand
bars characterize the coastline along Manila Bay.
Mangrove areas can be observed from Orani to
Orion, along with seaweed areas and seagrass
patches from portions of Samal, Balanga, and
Pilar down to Mariveles. The deeper portions are
the coastal areas of Orion to Mariveles. Poor coral
reef patches mixed with sandy rocky bottom can be
found in the Mariveles area, where the coastline
begin to take on a rocky character, looping from
the mouth of Manila Bay to the western side of
the province. The South China Sea coastline
is interspersed with pristine beaches with rocky
portions and fringes of coral reef in good condition
from Bagac to Morong. These are havens for
marine turtles and other marine animals.

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

Table 1: Population Trend and Growth Rate
City/
Municipality

1980

1990

1995

2000

2006 (projected)

Growth Rate
(1995-2000)

Abucay

22,692

26,708

29,270

31,801

35,373

1.79

Bagac

13,109

18,241

20,906

22,353

24,355

1.44

Balanga City

39,132

51,512

60,912

71,088

86,729

3.37

Dinalupihan

41,415

58,172

65,159

76,145

93,060

3.40

Hermosa

25,672

34,633

38,764

46,254

58,055

3.86

Limay

24,281

32,629

40,092

46,620

56,614

3.79

Mariveles

48,594

60,761

76,626

85,779

99,187

2.45

Morong

10,637

17,155

18,731

21,273

25,048

2.78

Orani

33,083

43,494

48,695

52,501

57,849

1.63

Orion

28,049

35,263

39,537

44,067

50,657

2.35

Pilar

18,549

25,244

28,207

32,368

38,627

2.99

Samal
BATAAN

18,041

21,991

24,560

27,410

31,565

2.38

323,254

425,803

491,459

557,659

657,119

2.74

Source: National Statistics Office Handbook and PPDO - Socio-economic Profile 2004
Table 2. Land Area, Population Density and Income Class
Land Area
(Hectares)

Popn.
Density
(sq. km)

Income Class

Abucay

7,970

444

Fourth

Bagac

23,120

105

Fourth

Balanga

16,560

777

2nd Class City

Dinalupihan

4,460

1,006

Third

Hermosa

15,730

370

Fourth

Limay

10,300

546

First

Mariveles

15,390

644

Second

Morong

21,920

114

Fifth

Orani

5,916

891

Third

Orion

6,540

774

Fourth

Pilar

3,760

1,027

Fifth

5,630

561

Fourth

City/
Municipality

Samal
BATAAN

137,296

First

Source: PPDO-Socioeconomic profile 2004

2.3. SOCIO-ECONOMIC
CHARACTERISTICS
Demography
Bataans population annually increases
at the rate of 2.74%. This rate was recorded as
the highest in Region III and was higher than
the national average of 2.2%. As of 2006, the
projected population was computed at 657,119.
The municipalities of Mariveles and Dinalupihan
with population of 99,187 and 93,060 respectively,

have the highest recorded population. The least

populated towns are Morong and Bagac, with
population of 25,048 and 24,355, respectively.
Table 1 presents the population trend.
The province has 87 coastal barangays
distributed in 10 coastal municipalities and one
coastal city. The population in coastal barangays is
approximately 220,032 or 34.45% of the projected
population of the province for CY 2005. Pilar and
Dinalupihan have the highest population density
in the province (Table 2).

15

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

In terms of the number of households, there

was an increase from 98,499 in 1995 to 113,674
in 2000. In 2006, the number of household is
estimated to be 133,847. The average household
size is 4.90 persons per household.
In Bataan, 61.6% of the total population
comprises the working age group (15 to 64 years
old). Individuals aged 0 to 14 years old constitute
34.9%, and those aged 65 and above comprise
3.5% of the 2006 population. Dependency ratio
in 2000 was 62. This means that for every 100
persons in the working age group (15 to 64
years), there were 62 dependents, that is 57
young dependents (0 to 14 years old) and 5 old
dependents (65 years old and above).
Economic Activities
The coastal areas of Bataan are being
utilized for fisheries and shellfish culture, shipping
and navigation, industries, tourism and recreation,
and built-up areas.

Fishing is the most practiced activity along the coastal areas

of Bataan.

About 4.30 hectares are utilized as

brackish water fishponds, which harvest 7
metric tons per hectare and 143.70 hectares for
freshwater fishpond with a production of 5.5 metric
tons per hectare. Production ranges from 2.8 to 5.5
metric tons or 2.80 to 5.50 kg of milkfish, prawn,
and tilapia per hectare.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Municipal Fisheries
Bataan has a total of 84 coastal barangays
in 10 coastal municipalities, and 1 coastal city.
Fishing is the most practiced activity along the
coastal and sea areas of Bataan. Around 220,032
or 34.45 % of the population is mainly dependent
on this activity as their source of livelihood. There
are two forms of fishing in the area; brackish water
aquaculture and capture fisheries. Capture
fisheries are for municipal and commercial fishing
activities.

With the application of the 15-km. limit

under RA 8550 and RA 7160 (Local Government
Code), the whole stretch of Manila Bay generally
fall under municipal waters of the different LGUs
along the bay except for a small area of the center
of the bay. This serves as the rights of municipal
fishermen to utilize the bay for their own activities,
particularly in Bataan where traditional and
marginalized fishermen mostly depend for their
livelihood.

Brackish Aquaculture
Brackish fishponds are present in the
municipalities of Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay,
Pilar, Orion, and City of Balanga, where different
forms of fishes, mudcrabs, and prawns are being
cultured. One can also find along these areas
the stretches of mangroves and mudflats that
serve as breeding ground of fish, buffer zone,
and protection of the fishponds and coastal
communities during tidal inundation. One of the
major areas of concern is the illegal expansion of
fishponds, which encroach on the mangroves, as
well as mudflat areas.

16

As of 2002, there were 6,715 registered

motorized bancas and 3,405 non-motorized
bancas for the municipal fishing activities for the
whole province. There are about 18 fishing vessels
with 18 operators for commercial fishing. (Source:
PPDO MTDP 2002)
Transboundary issue among LGUs along
the bay is a common problem because the
application of 15-km. limit results in overlapping
jurisdictions. Equity sharing among the LGUs is
one of the recommended solutions in this CLSUZP
(see Map 2).

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

On the western side of the province,

the application of the 15-km. municipal waters
limit is a problem of Morong with the Province of
Zambales and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
(SBMA). Municipal and traditional fishermen also
experience conflicting uses due to the presence
of beaches and other tourism and recreational
activities in the area. The presence of nesting
sites of marine turtles along the beaches of Bagac
and Morong should likewise be considered in the
tourism, industrial, and real estate development.
Commercial Fisheries
Several commercial fishing vessels that
weigh greater than three (3) gross tonnages (GT)
operate within Manila Bay. Others operate outside
of Manila Bay as far as South China Sea. RA 8550
authorizes or permits small-scale (3.1 20 GT)
commercial fishing and medium-scale (20.1 150
GT) commercial fishing vessels to operate within
the 10.1 to 15-km. area from the shoreline of the
municipal waters on the condition that there are
permits from the city/municipal government, and
acting pursuant to an appropriate ordinance. This
has created problems, such as over-fishing and
resulted in conflicts within the municipal waters,
especially the competition between traditional
and municipal fishing and commercial fishing.
Such conflicts are prevalent in the municipalities of
Limay, Mariveles, and Morong. Bagac is the only
LGU in Bataan that passed an ordinance allowing
small- and medium-scale commercial fishing
vessels to operate within its municipal waters.
Large-scale commercial fishing is defined
as utilizing active gears and vessels of more than
150 GT.
Shipping and Navigation
Manila Bay is one of the important
avenues of development of the country which rely
on shipping and navigational activities. This can
be seen on the coastal side of Bataan where heavy
industries are complemented with shipping and
navigational system. This is mainly concentrated
in the municipalities of Limay and Mariveles. In
addition, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) was
able to establish three (3) national ports: Port

Marine turtles at the Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong.

of Lamao, Port of Mariveles, and Port of Orion.

The ports of Lamao and Mariveles are utilized
for cargo vessels and chemical and oil tankers.
Custom duties are derived from them. Port of Orion
was established for roll on roll off (RORO) and
passenger ferries. All ships and ferries are bound
for Manila and other domestic and international
destinations.
There is also the Maritime Academy
of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), which makes
use of the bay as their training ground for their
students.
The Ports of Lamao and Mariveles are
among the high-risk areas for oil spills in Manila
Bay (Manila Bay Oil Spill Contingency Plan).
It is therefore necessary to set up permanent
shipping and navigational lanes and aids to avoid
accidents that may arise along the bay due to
multiple resource uses.

17

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

province, the open and free access to fishing and

other sources of fresh food items has become
a strong attraction to the people of Bataan and
nearby provinces to locate in the coastal areas.
Most of the municipalities in Bataan along Manila
Bay are experiencing the pressure of increasing
settlement in their respective coastal areas. The
threat on other resources, such as mangroves and
mudflats continues to crop up due to continuous
reclamation and encroachment of people for their
settlement and other purposes.
Existing Zones/Uses

Residential area along the coast in Brgy. Lamao, Limay,

Bataan

Industrial Activities along Coastal Areas

Medium and heavy industries such as
petrochemical estate, oil refineries and depot,
power generating plants, grains terminal and
economic zones are concentrated along the
coastal areas of Limay and Mariveles. These
industries are the frequent users of the bay.
Other than their extensive facilities and structures
that are positioned on the significant portion
of the shoreline, some of these large industrial
establishments have constructed and maintained
their own ports, piers, and berthing facilities in
support of their activities.
Tourism and Recreational Activities

The existing zones and uses as on Map

4 shows many overlapping and conflicting uses
of coastal and municipal waters in the 10 coastal
municipalities and 1 coastal city of Bataan.
Concerned LGUs as mandated by RA 7160 find
a hard time to manage their territorial jurisdiction
over coastal and municipal waters due to absence
of clear demarcation of water boundaries.
Multiple resource-use conflicts also
continue to proliferate resulting in over-utilization
and depletion of coastal and marine resources.
Incompatible uses of existing zones hamper the
development of full potential and sustainability of
each zone.
The aggravating problems will be
resolved with the full cooperation of LGUs and
other stakeholders concerned in proper coastal
management and implementation of this zoning
plan.

There are only a few areas along the

Manila Bay which are being utilized for tourism
and recreation. These areas are found in Balanga
City, Limay, and Mariveles. The primary areas
intended for this purpose are located in the western
side of Bataan along South China Sea. These are
the coastal municipalities of Bagac and Morong,
wherein numerous pristine beaches and potential
areas for tourism development are present. There
is also an established Pawikan Conservation Project
in Nagbalayong, Morong and proposed to be
replicated in other areas of Bagac.
Built-up Areas
Built-up areas consist of residential,
institutional, commercial, and small-scale
enterprises. Aside from being a peninsular

18

A fishing village in Brgy. Palihan, Orani, Bataan

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

Map 4. Existing Zones and Uses of Bataan

19

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

Socio-economic Condition of Fisherfolks

A comparison of income and social
standing of fishers households indicates that the
poverty situation remains unchanged. After the first
major fishery sector project (1990-1994), it is noted
that 80% of the fishers households were still below
the poverty threshold despite major interventions,
ranging from full investment packages for fishing
boats and equipment, to community-based coastal
resources management.
The latest family income and expenditure
survey (NSO, 2001) indicated that economic and
social parameters for fishers households reinforced
this observation. The data showed that in 2000
(Socio-economic characteristics of households in
the Philippines, 2000 NSO, 2001), households
whose heads were fishers had significantly higher
poverty incidence than any other household in
general. Furthermore, the average annual income
of fishers household and those who work in the
fishing industry was about P70,000.00, less than
half of the average annual income of households in
general which is approximately P144,000.00. This
translates to an average daily income of around
P192.00 or roughly, the retail value of 2-kg. of
fish. Low income can be attributed to declining
fish catch, estimated to be about 2-kg. per day at
present, down from 20-kg. per day, which was the
average catch during the 1970s.
Because of low-income levels, a greater
portion of the income of fishers households is
spent on food expenditures and a much lesser
share is used for other items, compared to the
income of households in general. It is interesting to
note that fishers household has a relatively higher
rate of spending on vices, like alcohol and tobacco,
than in any other household in general.
Based on the National Statistics Offices
(NSOs) 2001 data, households of fishers have
head of families with relatively low education levels,
compared to other households in general. More
than two-thirds of fishing households have head
of families that are elementary undergraduates.
In contrast, about half of households in general
have heads who hve attained higher education
level. Fishers households have lower access rates

20

to basic necessities like safe water, sanitary toilets,

and electricity than other households and are more
likely to live in makeshift houses or are informal
settlers. Also, the size of households of fishers and
of those in the fishing industry is greater than the
national average.

2.4. EXISTING POLICIES AND

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The policy review discusses the legal
framework for the management and conservation
of the coastal and marine ecosystem and resources
of the Province of Bataan. It involves only key
process of legislation at the national level including
Philippine Constitution, Presidential Decrees and
Republic Acts and Policy Directives emanating from
national government agencies. Resolutions and
ordinances and explicit policy directives articulated
in the different land-use plan documents affecting
the coastal environment originating from Provincial
and Municipal/City Government are likewise
discussed. The nature of the national-provincialcity/municipal policy framework for the coastal
environment is complex, primarily because of the
sheer number and overlaps of a multitude of legal
and policy measures and the institutions tasked to
implement them. Given this, a number of policy
options and choices will need to be studied and
considered carefully by the provincial government
and city and municipalities of Bataan in order to
be more effective in managing the coastal/marine
environment and resources.
Table 4 shows the key international
conventions and national and local policies and
legislations. The Review of Policies and Institutional
Arrangements is in Appendix A.
At the International and National Level
As far as international laws or policies are
concerned, Bataans effort to zone on a provincial
level should continue to follow, if not improve
on the pronouncement already found in existing
plans at the provincial and city/municipal levels.
This is because the various documents from the
local development plans to Bataan Sustainable

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

Table 3. Socio-economic characteristics of households in the Phils., 2000 (NSO, 2001)

% of households whose heads are
Household Characteristic
Poverty Incidence*

Fishers

In the fishing
industry

61.9

59.9

All Households
(%)
33.7

Distribution of households b educational

attainment of the head
No grade completed

6.5

4.3

4.1

Elementary undergraduate

76.4

77.9

53.3

Elementary graduate

12.3

12.7

20.3

1st - 3rd year high school

3.4

3.6

10.6

High school graduate

0.3

0.3

1.2

College undergraduate

0.2

0.1

0.7

At least college graduate

0.9

1.2

9.8

Access to safe drinking water

61.8

65.8

78.5

Access to sanitary toilet facility

51.5

54.2

82.5

Access to electricity

51.2

55.5

75.4

Proportion living in makeshift houses

2.8

2.8

Proportion who are squatting

5.9

6.1

3.1

Mean family size (number)

5.6

5.6

5.1

70,244

72,959

144,039

62,445

64,297

118,002

100.0

100.0

100.0

59.3

58.5

43.6

1.2

1.3

0.7

2.4

2.4

1.1

5.9

6.3

3.2

3.4

6.8

Mean income
Mean expenditure
Exependiture pattern
Total household expenditure
Food
Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco
Fuel, light and water
Transportation & communication
Household operations

18.4

18.4

23.2

Personal care & effects

3.5

3.5

3.6

Clothing, footwear & others

2.4

2.4

2.7

2.3

2.3

4.2

Recreation

0.2

0.3

0.5

Medical care

1.2

1.3

1.9

Non-durable furnishings

0.3

0.3

0.2

Durable furniture & equipment

1.4

1.5

2.5

0.4

0.4

2.1

House rent

7.9

7.8

14.2

House maintenance & minor

repairs

0.9

0.9

0.9

Special family occasions

1.7

2.4

Gifts & contribution to others

0.9

0.8

0.9

Other expenditures

2.9

2.9

2.9

Education

Taxes

* Proportion of families whose per capita income cannot meet the minimum food and non-food
require. (Source: NSO 2001. Family Income and Expenditures Survey)

21

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

Development Strategy are at least in written,

principle. Consistent with national laws, these
are attuned to international treaties, conventions,
and agreements. An example of the linkage of
environmental principles are the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention), and
Convention on International Trade of Endangered
Species (CITES), Biodiversity Convention, Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands, which all contain
stipulations on conservation of living resources,
particularly migratory and endangered species,
which in turn are consistent with the commitment
to sustainable development in Rio Declaration and
the United Nations Agenda 21. Going down the
line, many resources and environmental laws of
the Philippines in the last decade (e.g. NIPAS Act,
Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act, Clean Air
Act, etc.) explicitly stress sustainable development
as a guiding principle. Hence, implementation of
such laws would presumably be in accordance
with international treaties, thereby translating
abstract commitment into material local mandate.
Moreover, recent Philippine environmental laws
(e.g., Ecological Solid Waste Management
Act, Clean Water Act, etc.) are simultaneously
compliant with United Nation Seventh Millennium
Development Goal to ensure environmental
sustainability, in particular through integrating the
principles of sustainable development into country
policies and programs.
Seeking further affirmation beyond
stipulation on environmental protection are to be
found in the 1987 Constitution and the various
laws related to agriculture (e.g. RA 7881), fishery
and marine resources (e.g. RA 8550), wildlife and
habitat protection (RA 9147, RA 7586), forestry
code (PD 705), and land use (e.g. RA 7279), which
can be a basis of elaborating higher policies for
the purpose of operationalization. Table 4 shows
the different policy concerns across sectors.
At the Provincial Level
Based on the review of provincial plans,
it is apparent that the chosen growth strategy of
Bataan is to develop itself as an agro-industrial
province with strong emphasis on ecological

22

tourism. The latter, in turn, will permit the

preservation of forest areas and prime agricultural
lands. As medium-term policy statement, the
existing laws on environmental protection shall be
upheld and enforced, while actions to provide basic
infrastructure that have environmental implication
(e.g., sanitary landfill sewage treatment) shall be
encouraged in the city and municipalities. Notably,
the provincial plans are specific about certain
agency duties identifying DENR-EMB, DILG, DA,
BFAR, and DAR as lead agencies in environmental
management and agricultural land conversion
and development. One should also observe that
although the chosen development is consistent with
the regional development framework assigning
Bataan West Coast to ecotourism and its East
Coast to agro-industry, actual implementation
may differ given key industrial location in Mariveles
(Bataan Economic Zone), Morong (Bataan
Technology Park), Limay (Petron Bataan Refinery)
and Hermosa (Hermosa Agro-industrial Estate).
With respect to the development and
conservation of the coastal/marine environment,
the Provincial Government is very much aware
of its role as steward of these natural resources
and the need to protect these as the provinces
life support system, not only biologically, but also
economically and socially. The stakeholders of
Bataan have developed and adopted the Bataan
Coastal Strategy, Bataan Declaration of support
and commitment, and the Bataan Sustainable
Development Strategy. A large part of the provincial
economy is anchored on sustainable resource use
and development, not only of its land resources but
also its marine resources. Therefore, sustainable
development policies are in place at the provincial
level.
At the City/Municipal Level
The development plans at Provincial and
City/Municipal levels are vertically aligned. Policy
statements from City/Municipal comprehensive
land use plans are reviewed to be consistent with
provincial vision and directions. The proposed
strategies are appropriate to each local government
unit, particularly on socio-economic development
aspect.

National and Local Policy, Law, International Convention Likely to be Involved

International: Fisheries Code of Conduct (FAO)
National: Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act, Marine Pollution Decree, Fisheries Decree
of 1975, Fisheries Code, Local Government Code, Sanitation Code, EO 533 (Integrated Coastal
Management)
Local: Bataan Coastal Strategy; municipal ordinances
International: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Biodiversity Convention, CITES, GPA
National: National Marine Policy, Coral Resources Development Decree, NIPAS Act, Sustainable
Forest Management Decree, Forest Timber Charges, Fisheries Code, Clean Water Act, Local
Government Code, Sanitation Code, Solid Waste Management Act, Wildlife Resources and Habitat
Conservation and Protection Act; Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, EO 533 (Integrated Coastal
Management), EO 578 (biodiversity policy), EO 610 (river basin management)
Local: Bataan Sustainable Development Strategy, Provincial Development; various CDPs; municipal
ordinances.
International: Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes, GPA
National: Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, Water Code, Pollution Control Law, Clean Water Act, Clean
Air Act, Local Government Code, EIA System, Sanitation Code, Toxic and Nuclear Wastes Law, Solid
Waste Management Act, NIPAS Act, Public Estates Authority Law, Medium-Term Phil. Development
Plan, Investment Priority Plan, Regional Frameworks and Development Plans
Local: Bataan Sustainable Development Strategy, PPFP, Provincial Development Plan; various CLUPs
and CDPs
International: MARPOL Convention on Waste from Ships, London Convention, Basel Convention on
Hazardous Wastes, International Convention on Oil Pollution Prevention Response and Cooperation
National: National Marine Policy, Marine Pollution Decree (PD 600 & 979)
Local: Bataan Sustainable Development Strategy, Manila Bay Oil Spill Contingency Plan
International: Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
National: Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, Coral Resources Development Decree, NIPAS Act, Mining
Act, Solid Waste Management Act, Wildlife Resources and Habitat Conservation and Protection Act,
Clean Water Act, EIA System, Sanitation Code, Clean Air Act, Regional Frameworks and Plans
Local: Bataan Declaration of Environmental Protection, Bataan Sustainable Development Strategy,
various CLUPs and CDPs,
National: Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, including amendments, Urban Development and
Housing Act, NIPAS Act, Wildlife Resources and Habitat Conservation and Protection Act, Water
Code, Pollution Control Law, Clean Water Act, Local Government Code, EIA System, Sanitation
Code, Solid Waste Management Act
Local: Bataan Sustainable Development Strategy, various CLUPs and CDPs

Spatial Location in Bataan

entire coastline, with

emphasis on east and south
coast

watersheds and entire

coastline

south and southeast coast

south and southeast coast

mountainous interior,
including rivers, waterfalls;
coastal: beaches, mangroves,
coral reefs;
historical and cultural sites

entire coastline, but more

corrective on east coast,
preventive on west coast

Specific Area of
Concern

Fisheries and
Aquaculture

Resource and
Environmental
Management

Industrial Expansion

Shipping, Navigation
and Sea-based Sources
of Pollution

Tourism

Property Rights and

Conversion

Table 4: Key Policies and Legislation Across Sectors

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

23

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

With regard to coastal resource use, the

overall impression derived is that policy statements
and eventual implementations may be more
focused in key areas in order to be effective in
the long run. One strong policy area of the city/
municipalities is on fishery resources, particularly
on the illegal and destructive fishing methods.
Several municipalities have explicit municipal
ordinances on fishery, such as Balanga, Samal,
Abucay, Orion, Limay, Mariveles, and Bagac.
These policy areas can be further strengthened
in all coastal municipalities and proclaim an
integrated policy on fisheries. This would facilitate
the sharing of resources, services, and information
among contigous municipalities particularly
in apprehending violators. An integrated and
harmonized fishery policy for the whole province
would likewise minimize the growing conflicts in
the use of various marine resources.

methods; proliferation of informal settlers; and

habitat degradation (Map 5).

2.5.

Illegal and destructive fishing methods

are being fully addressed. The full support of
fisherfolks and concerned agencies backing up the
campaign is an important factor. The creation and
utilization of the Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force is
concrete evidence of the intent to totally eradicate
this problem. The task force has been curbing out
the proliferation of illegal fishing activities in the
coastal and sea areas of the province resulting in
an increase in fish catch of sustenance fishermen.
At present, there are 2 patrol boats (28-footer
fast crafts) and around 20 motorized bancas
monitoring and patrolling the coastal waters of
Bataan.

MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS AND MULTIPLE-USE
CONFLICTS

The sustainable development of Bataans

coastal areas lies in the resolution of five (5) major
problems that are very common in all communities
residing along the Manila Bay area. These problems
were identified during the consultation workshops
conducted with the different stakeholders and users
of the coastal areas of the concerned municipalities
of Bataan. Problems identified were: pollution
from land- and sea-based activities; siltation
and sedimentation; illegal and destructive fishing

The waste generated from land- and seabased activities is a problem for all. Absence of
proper waste management in most communities
along Manila Bay aggravates the problem with
wastes eventually ending up in the water bodies
of Bataan.
Siltation and sedimentation contribute to
the narrowing and shallowing of waterways and
fishing grounds. This problem is mainly caused by
soil erosion from the watershed and upland areas.
The province has been taking steps to resolve this
problem. Process of dredging and desilting of
shallow rivers and waterways is currently underway.
Continuous reforestations in upland and watershed
areas are included in the annual programming and
implementation plan of Bataan.

The provision in RA 8550, which provide

among other things, that apprehended vessels,
equipment, nets, and other paraphernalia
engaged in illegal fishing, such as blasting and
cyanide, can be impounded for the duration of the
case filed against it. This will curb illegal fishing
such as trawl, buli-buli, sudsod, etc. A bill should
be filed to make it applicable to all forms of illegal
fishing and this can be easily replicated to other
areas in the country.
The Anti-illegal Fishing Task Force, together with Bantay
Dagat (sea wardens), patrol and monitor the coastal waters
and apprehend violators.

24

Proliferation of informal settlers

contributes to the declining mangrove areas due
to encroachment and illegal activities like cutting of

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

Figure 6. Multiple-Use Conflicts

trees. This issue leads to the narrowing of waterways

that is aggravating the pollution problem due to
improper waste management.
LGUs are now in the process of drafting
resettlement plans to lessen the impact of this
problem in their respective municipalities.
Habitat degradation or loss of precious
habitats will lead to low or even loss of fish catch
and other resources, and loss of functional integrity
of ecosystems.
Mitigating measures are now being done
to reduce the effects of these problems in the
coastal areas of the province.

Apart from the issues and problems that

need to be addressed are the multiple-use conflicts
(Figure 6). These conflicts affect the proper
maximum utilization of the coastal area and the
social conditions.
Some of the conflicts are shipping vs.
fishing and aquaculture; reclamation vs. mangrove
and mudflat protection; land development vs
agriculture and fishponds; tourism vs. informal
settling and others.
With all these existing issues, problems,
and multiple-use conflicts, the coastal environment
of Bataan is currently facing environmental
and ecological threats that will endanger the
sustainable livelihood and living conditions of the
communities in the coastal area.

Lack of sewage treatment and solid waste management systems has caused the continous deterioration of the water quality of rivers
and coastal waters.

25

Chapter 2: Existing Situation

Map 5. Coastal Issues and Problems

26