PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

 As people become more vigilant about the state of

the environment and insistent that offenders of
environmental laws be held accountable, the
Philippine environmental laws and government
regulations are in place with the intent of protecting
the environment and aid people from all walks of
life in their pursuit to a balance and healthful
ecology.
Indeed, the environment has become such an
important issue. It is imperative that people
should be fully informed on what the relevant
environmental laws are so that they may be
fully aware what are allowed and what are
prohibited in relation to the actions they take
towards the environment.
 Presidential Decree (PD) 1586: Philippine
Environmental Impact Statement System
This law requires private corporations, firms or
entities including agencies and instrumentalities
of the government to prepare an environmental
impact statement (EIS) for every proposed
project and undertaking which significantly
affect the quality of the environment.
The EIS is a document that provides a
comprehensive study of the significant
impacts of a project on the environment. It
is prepared and submitted by the project
proponent and/or EIA Consultant as an
application for an Environmental
Compliance Certificate (ECC).
In general, only projects that pose potential significant
impact to the environment shall be required to secure an
ECC. In determining the scope of the EIS System, two
factors are considered: (i) the nature of the project and
its potential to cause significant negative environmental
impacts, and (ii) the sensitivity or vulnerability of
environmental resources in the project area.
 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the
process that involve evaluating and predicting the
likely impacts of a projection the environment during
construction, commissioning, operation and
abandonment. It is undertaken by, among others, the
project proponent and/or EIA Consultant, EMB, a
Review Committee, affected communities and
other stakeholders.
An ECC is a document issued by the DENR/EMB after a
positive review of an ECC application, certifying that
based on the representations of the proponent, the proposed
project or undertaking will not cause significant negative
environmental impact. The ECC also certifies that the
proponent has complied with all the requirements of the
EIS System and has committed to implement its approved
Environmental Management Plan.
Use, transport, treatment and disposal of toxic
substances and hazardous and nuclear wastes. A
Chemical Control Order (CCO) is issued by the DENR
to prohibit, limit or regulate the use, manufacture,
import, export, transport, processing, storage,
possession and wholesale of priority chemicals that are
determined to be regulated, phased-out, or banned
because of the serious risks they pose to public health
and the environment.
 Of the 48 toxic chemicals listed in the Priority
Chemical List (PCL), five have already been
covered by CCOs in the form of DAOs. These
CCOs are for: mercury (DAO 97-38), cyanide
(DAO 97-39), asbestos (DAO 2000-02), ozone-
depleting substances (DAO2000-18), and
polychlorinated biphenyls (DAO 2004-01).
 RA 9003: Philippine Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act(PESWMA) of 2000

 It provides the legal framework for the

country’s systematic,comprehensive, and
ecological solid waste management program
that shall ensure protection of public health and
the environment. Key features of the Solid
Waste Management Act1.
Creation of the National Solid Waste Management
Commission(NSWMC), the National Ecology Center
(NEC), and the Solid Waste Management Board
(NSWMB) in every province, city and municipality
in the country. The NSWMC shall be responsible in
the formulation of the National Solid Waste
Management Framework (NSWMF)
 And other policies on solid waste (SW), in
overseeing the implementation of solid waste
management plans and the management of the
solid waste management fund. The NEC, on the
other hand, shall be responsible for consulting,
information, training and networking services
relative to the implementation of R.A.No. 9003.
The NSWMB of provinces, cities, and municipalities
shall be responsible for the development of their
respective SW managementplans.2. Formulation
of the NSWMF 10-year SW plans by local
government units;3. Mandatory segregation of SW to
be conducted at the source;4. Setting of minimum
requirements to ensure systematic collection and transport
of wastes and the proper protection of garbage collectors'
health;
 Establishment of reclamation programs and buy-back
centers for recyclable and toxic materials;
6. Promotion of eco-labeling and prohibition on non-
environmentally acceptable products and packaging;7.
Establishment of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in every
barangay or cluster of barangays;8. Prohibition against
the use of open dumps and setting of guidelines/criteria for
the establishment of controlled dumps and sanitary landfills
 9. Provision of rewards, grants and incentives both
monetary and non-monetary to encourage LGUs and
the public to undertake effective SW management;10.
Promotion of research on SWM and environmental
education in the formal and non-formal sectors.
 RA 9729: Climate Change Act of 2009
RA 9729 aims to systematically integrate the
concept of climate change in the policy
formulation and development plans of all
government agencies and units, to the end that
the government will be prepared for the impact
of climate change.
The law created the Climate Change
Commission, composed of the President, as
Chairperson, and three (3) commissioners to be
appointed by the President, which is tasked to
coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs
and action plans of the government relating to
climate change.
Government agencies have likewise been assigned their
respective roles under RA 9729. For instance, the
Department of Education is tasked to integrate climate
change into the primary and secondary education
curricula, including textbook sand other
education materials. Government Financial Institutions
are allowed to provide preferential financial packages for
climate change-related projects.
 RA 9512: Environmental Awareness and
Education Act of 2008.
It’s an Act to promote environmental awareness
through Environmental Education (EE) and covers
the integration of EE in the school curricula at all
levels, be it public or private, including daycare,
preschool, non-formal, technical, vocational,
indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth
courses or programs.
Section 6 of the Act says that the Dep Ed, CHED,
TESDA, DENR, DOST and other relevant agencies, in
consultation with experts on the environment and the
academe, shall lead in the implementation of public
education and awareness programs on environmental
protection and conservation through collaborative
interagency and multi-sectoral effort at all levels.
Republic Act (RA) 8749: Clean Air Act (CAA) of
1999
Provides for a comprehensive air quality
management policy and program which aims to
achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos.
The DENR Secretary, upon recommendation of the
EMB, will divide the country into different air
sheds.
Air sheds are to be designated based on
climate, weather, meteorology, and topology,
which affect the mixture and diffusion of
pollutants in the air, share common interests or
face similar development problems.
These will be managed by multi-sectoral
Governing Boards chaired by the DENR Secretary
with representatives from concerned government
agencies, the private sector, NGOs and LGUs. The
Clean Air Act covers all potential sources of air
pollution.
(1) Mobile Sources (eg. motor vehicles); (2)
Point or Stationary Sources ( eg. industrial
plants); and (3) Area Sources (eg. wood or coal
burning) Smoke belching vehicles on the road
will undergo emission testing.
 RA 9275: Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
The law aims to protect the country’s water bodies
from land-based pollution sources (industries and
commercial establishments, agriculture and
community/household activities) It provides for a
comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and
minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and
participatory approach involving all the stakeholders.
Under the Act, discharges of wastewater shall
be controlled. Owners or operators of facilities
that discharge wastewater are required to get a
permit to discharge from the EMB or the Laguna
Lake Development Authority. Domestic
wastewater will be addressed accordingly.
The Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH), in coordination with local government units
(LGUs) will prepare a national program on sewage and
septage management. On the other hand, LGUs are to
provide the land including road right of the way for the
construction of sewage and/or septage treatment
facilities and raise funds for the operations and
maintenance of said facilities.
The Department of Health (DOH) will
formulate guidelines and standards for the
collection, treatment and disposal of sewage
aswell as the guidelines for the establishment
and operation of centralized sewage treatment
system.
 RA 6969: Philippine Toxic Substances and
Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Act
The Act provides the legal framework for the
Philippines to control and manage the
importation, manufacture, processing,
distribution, use, transport, treatment and
disposal of toxic substances and hazardous and
nuclear wastes.
A Chemical Control Order (CCO) is issued by the
DENR to prohibit, limit or regulate the use,
manufacture, import, export, transport, processing,
storage, possession and wholesale of priority
chemicals that are determined to be regulated,
phased-out, or banned because of the serious risks
they pose to public health and the environment.
Of the 48 toxic chemicals listed in the Priority
Chemical List (PCL), five have already been
covered by CCOs in the form of DAOs. These
CCOs are for: mercury (DAO 97-38), cyanide
(DAO 97-39), asbestos ( DAO 2000-02), ozone-
depleting substances (DAO2000-18), and
polychlorinated biphenyls (DAO 2004-01).
THANK
YOU!