Environmental-Laws

Philippine Environmental Laws

Definition of Key Terms

  • Environment: The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

  • Law: A system of rules recognized by a country or community that regulates actions and can enforce penalties.

  • Environmental Law: Laws directed at protecting water, air, land, animals, and people with rules and regulations promoting environmental protection.

Major Environmental Laws in the Philippines

1. Presidential Decree 1586: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System of 1978

  • Established to maintain a balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection.

  • Requires Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for environmentally critical projects (ECP) or areas (ECA) before operations commence.

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) assists in planning and managing environmental risks.

2. Republic Act 9003: Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

  • Aims for a systematic, comprehensive solid waste management program with stakeholder involvement.

  • Focuses on proper waste segregation, collection, storage, treatment, and disposal to protect public health and the environment.

3. Republic Act 9275: Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

  • Protects water bodies from pollution from land-based sources like industries and households.

  • Promotes a multi-sectoral strategy for pollution prevention and minimization.

4. Republic Act 8749: Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

  • Aims to maintain clean air by adhering to National Air Quality guideline values.

  • Seeks to minimize economic impacts while achieving air quality goals.

5. Republic Act 6969: Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990

  • Regulates the importation, production, and disposal of hazardous substances to protect human health.

  • Prohibits hazardous and nuclear wastes within Filipino territory.

6. Pollution Control Law (P.D. 1181)

  • Supplements existing laws for the abatement and control of vehicular pollution.

  • Establishes maximum allowable emissions from vehicles.

7. Republic Act 9512: National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008

  • Promotes environmental awareness through education covering concepts, laws, practices, and impacts.

8. Republic Act 9729: Climate Change Act of 2009

  • Acknowledges vulnerability to climate change and establishes the Climate Change Commission for policy-making and evaluation.

Summary of Goals

  • Laws focus on protecting environmental quality, managing waste, ensuring clean air and water, controlling hazardous substances, and increasing public awareness and education on environmental issues.