Current Environmental Laws In The Philippines Environmental Sciences Essay

It is hereby declared a national policy to prevent, abate and control pollution of water, air and land for the more effective utilization of the resources of this country.

P.D. 1151(1979) – Philippine Environmental Policy

– defines 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.

P.D. 1152(1977) – Air Quality Management

– to achieve and maintain such levels of air quality as to protect public health and to prevent to the greatest extent practicable, injury and or damage to plant and animal life and property, and promote the social and economic development of the country.

P.D. 1586(1978) – Establishing an Environment Impact Statement System, Including Other Environmental Management Related.

-Defines the framework for the implementation of the environmental impact assessment as the mechanism to reconcile the impacts of development projects on society and the physical environment.

P.D. 389(1974) (P.D. 705) – The Forestry Reform Code

– codifies, updates and raises forestry laws in the country. It emphasizes the sustainable utilization of forest resources.

P.D. 330 & P.D. 953 – Laws on Penalizing Illegal Cutting of Trees

– Public forests and forest reserves are important natural resources of the country which must be preserved and conserved for future generations it is the solemn duty of every citizen to protect public forest and forest reserves from indiscriminate logging, senseless denudation and wanton destruction to the detriment of the present and future generations.

P.D. 953 & 1153 – Laws on Tree Planting

-The planting of trees on lands adjoining the edge of rivers and creeks in both a measure of beautification and reforestation and the planting of trees along roads and areas intended for the common use of owners of lots in subdivisions will provide shade and healthful environment therein.

P.D. 331(1973) – Requiring that all Public Forests be developed, Managed, and Utilized on a Sustainable Yield Basis with the Benefit of Technical Forestry know-how of Registered Foresters.

-The Philippine forests are the patrimony of the Filipino people and as such they have to be developed, managed, and utilized in such a manner as to insure their perpetuity in productive condition for the benefit of all Filipinos, living or yet to be born

P.D. 704(1974) – Preservation of Optimum Productivity of Fishery Resources through Conservation and Protection.

– there is a compelling need to increase the production of fish to bring down its price to a level which will be within the reach of our people, and at the same time insure the continuity of out fishery resources in productive condition through wise utilization and proper conservation

P.D. 1015(1976) – Banning the Operation of Commercial Fishing within a Distance of 7 Kilometers from the Shoreline.

– It is the policy of the state to uplift the economic condition of the municipal and small-scale fishermen

P.D. 1058(1976) – Increasing the Penalties for Illegal forms of Fishing.

-There is a need to increase the penalties for certain acts prohibited by existing penal laws for a more effective protection of the nation’s fish resources

P.D. 1219(1977) – Providing for the Protection of Coral Ecosystems.

– It is necessary that the exploration, exploitation, utilization and conservation of these resources be properly regulated to ensure the preservation of the country’s marine environment.

P.D. 1067(1976) – Water Code of the Philippines

– adopts adequate measures to conserve and regulate the use of water in commercial, industrial and residential areas. It also provides other policy guidelines in water quality and management of water resources.

P.D. 463(1974) – Providing for a modernized system of administration and disposition of mineral lands and to promote and encourage the development of exploitation.

-Mineral production is a major support of the national economy, and therefore the intensified discovery, exploration, development and wise utilization of the country’s mineral resources are urgently needed for national development.

P.D. 1198(1977) – Reinforces this provision for restoration of mined-out areas to this original condition to the extent possible.

– it is the policy of the State to create, develop, maintain and improve conditions under which man can be most productive and to insure the attainment of an environmental quality that enhances his dignity and well-being

P.D. 1251(1977) – Imposing a fee on operating mining companies to be known as “mine wastes and tailing fee” to compensate for damages to private landowners

-A semi-annual fee to be known as “Mine Wastes and Tailings Fee” is hereby imposed on all operating mining companies at such amount/s to be determined by the Secretary of National Resources, upon the recommendation of the Director of Mines.

P.D. 984(1976) – The Revision of Republic Act No. 3931, Commonly Known as the Pollution Control Law.

-It is hereby declared a national policy to prevent, abate and control pollution of water, air and land for the more effective utilization of the resources of this country.

P.D. 1181(1977) (supplements the provision of P.D. 984) – Providing for the Abatement, Control and Prevention of Vehicular Pollution & Establishing the Maximum Allowance Emissions of Specific air Pollutants from all Types of Vehicle.

-It is the purpose of this Decree to prevent, control, and abates the emission of air pollution from motor vehicles in order to protect the health and welfare of the people and to prevent or minimize damage to property and hazards to land transportation.

P.D. 600(1974) (amended by P.D. 979) – Water Pollution Control

– prohibits the discharge of oil, noxious liquid substances, and other harmful substances into the country’s inland and territorial waters.

P.D. 825(1975) – Providing Penalty for Improper Disposal of Garbage and other forms of Uncleanliness

-One of the principal aims of the New Society is to effect social, economic and political reform through discipline and order;

P.D. 856(1975) – Sanitation Code

– Places the responsibility in the local government units for he solid waste management in his area of production.

P.D. 1144(1977) – Control of Pesticides

– It is a Government policy to provide adequate assistance to the agricultural sector in line with national objective of increasing food production;

R.A. 8749 – Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

– provides for a comprehensive air pollution control policy

R.A. 7160 – Local Government Code of 1991

-Provides that local government should share with the national government the responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction subject to national policies and other pertinent provisions of the code.

R.A. 6969(1990) – Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act

– Authorizes the DENR to establish a program to regulate, restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, destruction, use and disposal of chemical substances, and mixture that present unreasonable risk and/or injury to health or the environment.

R.A. 8550(1998) – The Fisheries Code of the Philippines

-Defines the policies of the state in the protection, conservation and effective management of fisheries stock as well as identifying allowable fishing methods in Philippine coastal waters.

R.A. 9003 – The Solid Waste Management Act of 2001

-An act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.

R.A. 9275- Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

-An act providing a comprehensive water quality management and for other purposes.

R.A. 9729 – Climate Change Act of 2009.

-An act mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations, establishing the framework strategy and program on climate change, creating for this purpose the climate change commission, and for other purposes.

How Tourism is affected by the Current Environmental Laws in the Philippine;

Tourism is highly affected by the current laws implemented, because of the restrictions and guidelines implemented by the government. Tourist who wants to visit different parts of the country most especially for the purpose of seeing eco-friendly spots visiting eco parks are also known as ecotourism, Ecotourism is visiting a fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, its purpose is to educate the traveler or tourist, to provide resources for ecological conservation and to directly benefit for the economic development. Back then, tourist had easy access in visiting our country, specially our famous tourist spots. But because of the laws implemented, various regulations rules now serves as guidelines for tourism.

Like many other countries, ecotourism activities are often handled on the local level. That is, local governing bodies create specific rules, regulations, tours, and managers for specific areas. For the people of the rural Philippines, this has been a major economic boost. This is because many of these local governing bodies require that tourists hire local guides to take them into protected local areas. This is not necessarily true for all areas in the Philippines, but there are some areas that engage in this practice. These measures are put in place to help ensure that the local community gets its fair share of all monies earned by the use of their traditional lands. This also helps to make sure that very strict ethics are followed in relation to how tourists interact with the land.

How Tourism can help improve the Current Environmental Situation in the Philippines;

A variety of environmental problems now affect our entire world.  As globalization continues and the earth’s natural processes transform local problems into international issues, few societies are being left untouched by major environmental problems. Some of the largest problems now affecting the world are Acid Rain, Air Pollution, Global Warming, Hazardous Waste, Ozone Depletion, Smog, Water Pollution, Overpopulation, and Rain Forest Destruction. Every environmental problem has causes, numerous effects, and most importantly, a solution.

Tourism can be a very big help in conserving the environmental resources, promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local populations, sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous people by having informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises and not only promoting to visit our country for the beautiful spots. Tourism is not just the beautiful spots and scenery; it can also be the conservation of these places for the future generations. Before letting tourist visit their selected destination, short seminars and lectures can be administered for them to gain knowledge on how to have fun while taking care and not destroying the environment. Sparing a little time for these programs can really help.

Travel agencies can also be an instrument in helping out. While having promo’s for tours, they can include inside the brochures different guidelines in protecting the environment and what to know on a certain place. Promoting the place while having tourist knew these guidelines is a win-win situation for the agency and the country.

Reference: http://bio427.blogspot.com/2010/10/environmental-laws-of-philippines.html

http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1977/pd_1144_1977.html