ENVIRONMENTAL LAW What about fuels?

- is a term used to explain regulations, statutes, local, national -Clean fuels are needed to achieve clean air. The CAA thus
and international legislation, and treaties DESIGNED TO provides for:
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT from damage and to explain - The complete phase out of leaded gasoline before the end
the legal consequences of such damage towards of the year 2000;
governments or private entities or individuals.
- The lowering of the sulfur content of industrial and
- The purpose of these environmental laws is to prevent, automotive diesel, respectively, from 0.5% to 0.3% and from
minimize, remedy and punish actions that threaten or 0.2% to 0.05%.
damage the environment and those that live in it.
- The lowering of aromatics in unleaded gasoline from 45%
The Philippine Clean Air Act (Republic Act No. 8749 of 1999) maximum to 35% maximum; and the lowering of benzene in
unleaded gasoline from 4% maximum to 2% maximum.
- Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine
Clean Air Act, is a comprehensive air quality management -Further improvement on the fuel quality, excluding cleaner
policy and program which aims to achieve and maintain alternative fuels, will be spearheaded by the Department of
healthy air for all Filipinos. Energy.

The Philippine Clean Air Act What about other sources of air pollution?

- The passage of the Philippine Clean Air Act (RA 8749) on Smoking is banned beginning May 25, 2001, in any of the
June 23, 1999, provides for a comprehensive air pollution following locations:
control policy, as it outlines the government’s measures to
reduce air pollution by including environmental protection - Inside a public building;
activities into its development plans. It has adopted the
- Enclosed public places including public vehicles and other
“polluters pay principle” and other market-based instruments
means of transport;
to promote self-regulation among the population. Emission
standards are set for all motor vehicles and had issued - In any enclosed area outside of one’s private residence,
pollutant limitations among industries. The Department of private place of work; or
Environment and Natural Resources through its
Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) is leading - Any duly designated area which will be enclosed.
the strict implementation of the Clean Air Act.
The local government units are mandated to implement this
How does air pollution affect humans? provision of the law.

- Studies show that air pollution is one of the causes of Penalty to violation of this provision is six months and one
cardiopulmonary diseases and the increase in air pollution- day to one year imprisonment, or a fine of ten thousand
related deaths. Moreover, air pollution can weaken the pesos (P10,000).
body’s defenses against assorted viruses and bacteria. It
impacts on one’s health – from becoming sluggish to The Philippine Clean Air Act
acquiring deadly diseases, such as lung cancer.
- a comprehensive air quality management policy and
How will good air quality be ensured? program which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for
all Filipinos. 
- The National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values, in order
to protect health, safety, and the general welfare, have been - Breathing clean air upholds human rights to life and good
set in law. These are to be routinely reviewed by the DENR, health and their right to live in a clean, healthy and
through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), in sustainable environment. The DENR supports the country’s
coordination with other concerned agencies and sectors.  economic development while balancing it with the need to
keep our environment sustainable.
How will air quality in the country be managed?
- Designation of air sheds

-Management of air sheds

TOXIC SUBSTANCE AND HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTE EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
CONTROL ACT (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6969)
- CHEMICAL WASTE (batteries)
- In pursuant to RA 6969 or also known as Toxic Substances,
Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990, is a - TOXIC WASTE (solvents and waste oils)
program of DENR-EMB covers that sound and proper
- MEDICAL WASTE (disposable masks )
management of industrial chemicals and hazardous wastes in
all aspects of its life cycle, from importation, manufacture, - INDUSTRIAL WASTE (plastics and resins manufacturing )
distribution, transportation, use and disposal.
- RADIOACTIVE WASTE (rags, tools and laboratory
- This act makes provisions in order to regulate, restrict equipment.)
and/or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing
sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
and mixtures presenting risk and/or major injury to human
- Not strictly implemented in localities.
and animal health or to the environment; it provides for the
- Limited budget for toxic substance and hazardous
prohibition of entry and transmit of hazardous and nuclear
waste disposal facility.
wastes and their disposal into the Philippine while
- Not all LGU’s have their own materials recovery
encouraging the research and studies on toxic chemicals.
facility and sanitary landfill.
HISTORY OF RA NO. 6969 - Lack of information dissemination to the locals
- To control, supervise and regulate activities on toxic
TOXIC SUBSTANCE AND HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR chemicals and hazardous waste.
- To ensure the safety of both men and women who
WASTE CONTROL
are especially exposed to such substances in thei
- Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the household, ocupation adn businesses.
Philippines in Congress
EFFECTS ON SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
- Approved on October 26, 1990 - GROUND WATER CONTAMI-NATED
- AFFECT FOOD SUPPLIES
- Ramon V. Mitra : Speaker of the House Representatives - AIR POLLUTA-NTS
- HEALTH SECURITY
- Jovito R. Salongs : President of the Senate
- OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
- Under the Presidency of Corazon “Cory” Aquino - HUMANS
RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUES OF TOXIC
CHARACTERISTIC OF HAZARDOUS WASTE SUBSTANCES, HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTE
CONTROL
TOXICITY- Poisonous (acute) and having carcinogenic,
- Improve enforcement of RA No. 6969
teratogenic, or mutagenic effect on human or other
- Involve small industries and institutions like schools,
organisms.
baranggay’s and health care providers.
IGNITABILITY- Can create fire under certain conditions - Stricter penalties for violations.
- Strengthen and promote research and development
CORROSIVITY- Acidic or basic capable of coroding metals; by on hazardous waste management.
chemical actions, can curse severe damage when in contact - Secure landfills.
with living issue - Segregation of hazardous waste.
DO’s and DON’T’S OF CHEMICAL DISPOSAL
REACTIVE- waste that: (1) are stable under normal - DO store hazardous wastes in a safe manner before
comditions and readily undergo violent change without pick-up
detonating (2) act violently with water & create - DO dispose of waste in a safe, appropriate manner.
spontaneously explosive mixtures like toxic gases, vapor, - DON’T dump/throw hazardous waste in the bin.
fumes (3) capable of detonating - DON’T attempt to burn hazardous materials.
 RA 9275 : THE PHILIPPINE CLEAN WATER ACT - Complying industries to be charged minimal
- Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275) was enacted reasonable amount
on march 22, 2004 and published on April 21, 2004 SEC. 14- DISCHARGE PERMIT (DP)
and subsequently took on may 06, 2004 - Legal authorization to discharge wastewater , as
- Implementing rules and regulations of the PCWA of granted by DENR
2004 was approved the secretary on may 16, 2005 - Permit specifies ff. among others: the allowed
and published last may 26, 2005 under DAO 2005-10 effluent quantity and quality; compliance schedule;
series of 2005 (manila times and manila standard monitoring equipment
today) Section 22. Linkage Mechanism
- This Act provides for the abatement and control of DENR - Lead Government Agency
pollution from land based sources, and lays down PCG - enforce water quality standards in marine
water quality standards and regulations. The Act waters, specifically offshore source
shall apply to water quality management in all water DPWH - provide sewage and sanitation facilities
bodies: fresh, brackish and marine waters. It shall be
the policy of the State to: prevent, control and abate DA - prepare guidelines for safe reuse of wastewater
pollution of the country water resources; promote for agricultural usage and control and abatement of
environmental strategies for the protection of water pollution from agri/aquacultural activities. (AO 2007 -26)
resources; formulate a national program of water
DOH – set, revise, enforce drinking water quality
quality management; promote commercial and
standards
industrial processes and products that are
DOST – evaluate, verify, develop and disseminate
environment friendly and energy efficient; etc.
pollution prevention and cleaner production technology
DepED, CHED, DILG, and PIA – prepare and implement a
Section 3. Coverage of RA 9275
comprehensive and continuing public education and
- Water Quality Management in all water bodies
information program
- Primarily apply to abatement and control of
pollution from land-based sources Section 27. Prohibited Acts of RA 9275
- Enforcement of water quality standards, regulations
and penalties - discharging or depositing any water pollutant to the
SEC. 5 - Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) water body which could cause water pollution, or impede
- The Department, in coordination with National natural flow in the water body
Water Resources Board (NWRB), shall designate
- discharging, injecting or allowing to enter into the soil,
certain areas as water quality management areas
anything that would pollute groundwater
using appropriate physiographic units such as
watershed, river basins or water resources regions. - operating facilities that discharges regulated water
SEC. 7 - National Sewerage & Septage Management pollutants without the required permits
Program
- A priority listing of sewerage, septage and combined - disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea
systems/project for LGUs based on relevant by vessels
considerations for the protection of water quality
- LGUs may enter into BOT or joint venture agreement - unauthorized transport or dumping into waters of
w/ private sector for constructing, rehabilitating sewage sludge or solid waste
and/or operation of such facilities
FOOD SAFETY ACT OF 2013 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10611
- Each LGU shall appropriate land, including right-of-
way/ road access for construction of sewage and - An Act to strengthen the Food Safety Regulatory
septage treatment facilities. System in the Country to Protect Consumer Health
SEC. 13 - WASTEWATER CHARGE SYSTEM and Facilitate Market Access of local foods and food
- Established on the basis of payment to government products, and for other purposes.
for discharging wastewater into the water bodies - Food Safety refers to the assurance that food will
- Based on net waste load (diff. of initial load of not cause harm, human health is protected and
abstracted water to waste load of discharged market access of locally produced foods and food
effluent), products is facilitated.
- It helps to enhance the productivity and - (a) Produce, handle or manufacture for sale,
consecutively the production of food. It can assist in offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or
providing opportunities for income generation. And,
import into the Philippines any food or food
it generally provides improvement of nutritional
advice through home economics programmers and product which is not in conformity with an
enhances the quality of rural life by way of applicable food quality or safety standard
community development. promulgated in accordance with this Act.
- In 23 August 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino III - (b) Produce, handle or manufacture for
signed into law Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise
sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce,
knowns as the “Food Safety Act of 2013”.
- The law adheres to the Philippine Constitution’s or import into the Philippines any food or
declaration to protect and promote the right of the food product which has been declared as
people to health and keep its populace from the banned food product;
threat of trade malpractices and substandard and - (c) Refuse access to pertinent records or
hazardous products.
entry of inspection officers of the FSRA;
- With these pronouncements, the country shall
support and advocate for a farm-to-fork food safety, - (d) Fail to comply with an order relating to
promotes fair trade and fosters the competitiveness notifications to recall unsafe products;
of the country’s food and food products. - (e) Adulterate, misbrand, mislabel, falsely
- Republic Act No. 10611 also known as the “Food advertise any food product which misleads
Safety Act of 2013” defines food as any substance of
the consumers and carry out any other acts
product whether processed, partially processed or
unprocessed that is intended for human contrary to good manufacturing practices;
consumption. It includes drinks, chewing gum, water - (f) Operate a food business without the
and other substances, which are intentionally appropriate authorization;
incorporated into the food during its manufacture, - (g) Connive with food business operators or
preparation and treatment.
food inspectors, which will result in food
- The law provides protection to consumers so they
will have access to local foods and food products safety risks to the consumers; and
that have undergone thorough and rigid inspection. - (h) Violate the implementing rules and
SECTION 3 regulations of this Act
To strengthen the food safety regulatory - Any person who shall violate any provision
system in the country, the State shall of the Food and Safety Act may be fined
adopt the following specific objectives: ranging from P50,000 to P500,000, and
- (a) Protect the public from food-borne and sentenced to imprisonment from one
water-borne illnesses and unsanitary, month to six years and one day, depending
unwholesome, misbranded or adulterated on the resulting harm to a person.
foods; Department of Agriculture
- (b) Enhance industry and consumer The DA shall be responsible for food safety
confidence in the food regulatory system; in the primary production and post harvest
and stages of food locally produced or
- (c) Achieve economic growth and imported.
development by promoting fair trade - Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
practices and sound regulatory foundation - National Dairy Authority (NDA)
for domestic and international trade. - National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS)
Under Section No. 37, these acts are - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
prohibited: (BFAR)
- Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) seeds which yield small tubers and highly
- Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) susceptible to pests and diseases
- Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) particularly bacterial wilt.
- Sugar Regularity Administration (SRA)
- National Food Authority (NFA) SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT (RA 9003)
- Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) - In 2000, the Philippine government enacted
Department of Health Republic Act 9003, also known as the Solid
- The DOH shall be responsible for the safety Waste Management Act, to address
of processed and prepackaged foods, foods challenges caused by solid wastes and
locally produced or imported under this promote proper waste management
category and the conduct of monitoring and practices throughout the country.
epidemiological studies on food-borne MRF ( Materials Recovery Facilities)
illnesses. - Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are
facilities where recyclable and reusable
Department of Interior and
materials are collected, sorted, and
Local Government processed.
- The DILG in collaboration with the DA, the - established in all barangays, cities, and
DOH and other government agencies shall municipalities in the Philippines under
supervise the enforcement of food safety Republic Act 9003.
and sanitary rules and regulations as well as - operated by the local government units or
the inspection and compliance of business private companies under contract with the
establishments and facilities within its local government.
territorial jurisdiction. 3 R’s REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT - This refers to reducing the amount of waste
- The LGUs shall be responsible for food generated in the first place.
safety in food businesses such as, but not - This refers to finding new uses for items
limited to, activities in slaughterhouses, that would otherwise be discarded.
dressing plants, fish ports, wet markets, - This refers to the process of turning waste
supermarkets, school canteens, restaurants, materials into new products.
catering establishments and water refilling
stations. The LGU shall also be responsible PROHIBITION OF OPEN DUMPING AND
for street food sale, including ambulant BURNING
vending. - Open dumping refers to the indiscriminate
disposal of solid waste in open areas such as
EXAMPLE OF FOOD SECURITY
vacant lots, rivers, or seas.
- For decades now, majority of farmers in - Open burning refers to the combustion of solid
this town relied on potato production as waste in open areas.
main source of income. They attribute this - The Solid Waste Management Act requires the
to the high elevation and cool climate which establishment of controlled dumpsites and
are ideal for growing vegetables. But just sanitary landfills as disposal facilities for solid
like gold, potatoes in Alegre need to meet waste. These facilities are designed to minimize
environmental pollution and health hazards
the desired quality to command better
associated with solid waste disposal.
place. Farmers only used home-save potato
 PROMOTION OF COMPOSTING AND OTHER - It promotes the sustainable use of natural
WASTE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES resources by reducing the amount of waste
- The Solid Waste Management Act sent to landfills and promoting recycling
encourages the use of waste management and recovery.
technologies such as composting to divert - Proper solid waste management can
organic waste from landfills and promote improve the aesthetic value of
environmental sustainability. communities, attracting tourists and
- Composting is a natural process of promoting local businesses.
decomposition that turns organic waste, - It can also help to reduce the financial
such as food and yard waste, into nutrient- burden on LGUs by reducing the cost of
rich soil. Composting can be done at home waste management and generating revenue
or in community composting sites. from recycling and recovery programs.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
UNDER RA 9003
- The National Solid Waste Management
Commission (NSWMC) - responsible for the
formulation and promulgation of policies
and guidelines on solid waste management
and the monitoring and evaluation of the
implementation of the law.
- Local government units (LGUs) - primarily
responsible for the implementation of the
law within their respective jurisdictions.
- Waste generators (households,
establishments, and industries) -
responsible for the proper segregation,
storage, and disposal of their waste.
- Waste collectors (public or private)- are
responsible for the collection, transport,
and disposal of solid waste in a safe and
environmentally sound manner.
- The private sector -is encouraged to
participate in the management of solid
waste through partnerships with LGUs, the
establishment of recycling and recovery
facilities, and the provision of waste
collection and transport services.
BENEFITS OF PROPER SOLID WASTE
MANAGEMENT
- It helps to reduce pollution and improve air
and water quality, making communities
safer and healthier places to live.