ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS
Environmental law involves a series of laws, policies and
procedures enforced by various agencies with the goal of protecting the
environment. Environmental law often overlaps other laws to act as an
extra layer of legal protection.
Polluted air, chemical spills and harmful use of land are only a few
examples of how industry can have a negative impact on our natural
environment. Environmental law establishes protection for our scarce
natural resources and natural surroundings, like land, air and water. It
may seem like people have been concerned about industrial effects on
the environment for only a short period of time.
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE (PD) 1152
The Philippine Environmental Code,‖ which took effect in 1977, provides a basis for an Integrated
waste management regulation starting from waste source to methods of disposal. PD 1152 has
further mandated specific guidelines to manage municipal wastes (solid and liquid), sanitary
landfill and incineration, and disposal sites in the Philippines. In 1990, the Philippine Congress
enacted the Toxic Substances,
Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act, commonly known as Republic Act (RA) 6969, a law
designed to respond to increasing problems associated with toxic chemicals and hazardous and
nuclear wastes. RA 6969 mandates control and management of import, manufacture, process,
distribution, use, transport, treatment, and disposal of toxic substances and hazardous and
nuclear wastes in the country. The Act seeks to protect public health and the environment from
unreasonable risks posed by these substances in the Philippines. Apart from the basic policy rules
and regulations of RA 6969, hazardous waste management must also comply with the
requirements of other specific environmental laws, such as PD 984 (Pollution Control Law),
PD 1586 (Environmental Impact Assessment System Law), RA 8749 (Clean Air Act) and RA 9003
(Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) and their implementing rules and regulations.
REPUBLIC ACT 6969
Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear
Waste Control Act of 1990
The law aims to regulate restrict or prohibit the
importation, manufacture, processing, sale,
distribution, use and disposal of chemical
substances and mixtures that present
unreasonable risk to human health. It likewise
prohibits the entry, even in transit, of hazardous
and nuclear wastes and their disposal into the
Philippine territorial limits for whatever purpose;
and to provide advancement and facilitate
research and studies on toxic chemicals.
P.D.984 POLLUTION
CONTROL LAW
Define the general policies on the
pursuit of a better quality of life for
the present and future generations
and mandates the undertaking the
environmental impact assessments
for all projects, which may
significantly affect the environment.
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1586 -
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS)
- STATEMENT OF 1978
The Environment Impact Assessment System
was formally established in 1978 with the
enactment of Presidential Decree no. 1586 to
facilitate the attainment and maintenance of
rational and orderly balance between socio-
economic development and environmental
protection. EIA is a planning and management
tool that will help government, decision makers,
the proponents and the affected community,
address the negative consequences or risks on
the environment. The process assures
implementation of environment-friendly projects.
REPUBLIC ACT 8749 PHILIPPINE
CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
The law aims to achieve and
maintain clean air that meets the
National Air Quality guideline
values for criteria pollutants,
throughout the Philippines, while
minimizing the possible associated
impacts to the economy.
REPUBLIC ACT 9003 ECOLOGICAL SOLID
WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000
In partnership with stakeholders, the law
aims to adopt a systematic,
comprehensive and ecological solid waste
management program that shall ensure
the protection of public health and
environment. The law ensures proper
segregation, collection, storage,
treatment and disposal of solid waste
through the formulation and adaptation of
best eco-waste products.
REPUBLIC ACT 9275 PHILIPPINE
CLEAN WATER ACT
The law aims to protect the country's
water bodies from pollution from land-
based sources (industries and commercial
establishments, agriculture and
community/household activities). It
provides for comprehensive and
integrated strategy to prevent and
minimize pollution through a multi-
sectoral and participatory approach
involving all the stakeholders.
THANK YOU
