ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

Engr. Maryjoie A. Armero

R.A. 9003: Ecological Solid Waste

Management Act of 2000

 provides the legal framework for the systematic,

comprehensive and ecological solid waste management
which shall ensure protection of public health and the
environment
need to create the necessary institutional mechanisms
and incentives, and imposes penalties (NSWMC, 2005b).
implementing rules and regulations contained DAO No.
2001-34 (NSWMC, 2001). 111

SOLID WASTE

SEGREGATION AT SOURCE

Biodegradable

Non-Recyclable

Recyclable

Collection by hog
raisers or
site composting

Collection by
Municipality

Sorted and stored

MRF

COMPOST

Municipal Dumpsite

Sold to Recyclers
(junk shops)

R.A. 8749: Clean Air Act

R.A. 9275: Clean Water Act

Objectives:
To protect countrys water bodies from pollution
from
land-based sources such as:
Industries
Commercial establishments
Agriculture
Community/household activities
To provide comprehensive and integrated strategy
to prevent and minimize pollution through a multisectoral and participatory approach involving all the
stakeholders.

Why we need the clean water act?

1996 rivers showed that only 51% of the classified
rivers still met the standards for their most beneficial
use, the rest were polluted
48% domestic wastewater is the principal cause of
organic pollution
3% of investments in water supply and sanitation were
going to sanitation and sewage treatment.

Metro Manila was second to the lowest in

sewer connections among major cities in
Asia and less than 7% compared to 20%
for Katmandu, Nepal and 30% for Dhaka,
Bangladesh.(World Bank)
(31%) of all illness in the country are
attributed to polluted waters.
to ensure access to clean water

Sec. 14

Discharge Permits

Wastewater Discharge Permit shall specify the quantity and quality of

effluents that the permittee is allowed to discharge as well as the
validity of the permit.

Who may apply for a Discharge Permit any person that shall
discharge in any manner wastewater into Philippine water and /or land

Discharge fee surcharge new sources subject to non-attainment

provisions will be assessed 20% surcharge

First time application applying for the first time shall submit such
documents, information and data, to be contained in verified Engineers
Report prepared by a registered chemical or sanitary engineer or
pollution control officer:
a)

Vicinity map identifying the street address, location or plant

premise;

Sec. 27

Prohibited Acts

Discharging any water pollutant to the water body, or

such which will impede natural flow in the water body

Discharging, injecting into the soil anything that would

pollute groundwater
Operating facilities that discharge regulated pollutants
without permits

Disposal of potentially infectious medical wastes

into sea by vessels
Unauthorized dumping into waters of sewage,
sludge or solid waste

Dumping or discharge of prohibited chemicals or

substances listed under Toxic Chemicals Act

Sec. 27

Prohibited Acts contd.

Non compliance of the LGU with the Water Quality

Framework and Management Area Action Plan
Refusal to allow entry and access to records by the
DENR
Refusal or failure to submit reports and designate
pollution control officers as required by DENR

Tampering water supply to alter or impair water

quality
Operate facilities that discharge prohibited
chemicals listed under RA 6969
Operating wastewater treatment/sewerage facilities
in violation of PD 1586

Sec. 28

Fines and Penalties Imposed on Polluters

Discharging untreated wastewater into any
water body
Fine Php 10,000 to Php 200,000
Failure to undertake clean up operations
willfully
Imprisonment from two (2) to four (4) years
Fine Php 50,000 to Php 100,000 per day
of violation
Failure or refusal to clean up which results
in irreversible water contamination
Imprisonment - 6 years and 1 day to more
than 12 years
Fine Php 500,000/day

 In cases of gross violation

Fine Php 500,000 to Php
3,000,000 per day
Criminal charges may also
filed

be

REPUBLIC ACT No. 6969

AN ACT TO CONTROL TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND
HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTES

 R.A. 6969: An Act to Control Toxic and

Hazardous Substances and Nuclear
Wastes

From Cradle to Grave

Section 13
Prohibited Acts
a. Use a chemical substance or mixture which is imported,
manufactured, processed or distributed in violation of this Act

b. Failure or refusal to submit reports, notices or other

information, or permit inspection of establishment where
chemicals are manufactured, processed, stored or otherwise
held;

c. Failure or refusal to comply with the pre-manufacture and preimportation

requirements;
and
d. Cause, aid or facilitate, directly or indirectly, in the storage,
importation, or bringing into Philippine territory, including its
maritime economic zones, even in transit, either by means of
land, air or sea transportation or otherwise keeping in storage
any amount of hazardous and nuclear wastes in any part of the
Philippines.

Section 14
Criminal Offenses and Penalties
a.
1. 6 months -6 years imprisonment and P600.00P4,000.00. If the offender is a foreigner, deported
and barred after serving his or her sentence;
2. If committed by a partnership, corporation,
association or any juridical person, the partner,
president, director or manager who shall consent
to or shall knowingly tolerate such violation shall
be directly liable and responsible for the act of the
employees and shall be criminally liable as a coprincipal;

3. In case the offender is a government official or

employee, automatically dismissed.
B.
1. 12 years imprisonment - 20 years. If the
offender is a foreigner, deported and barred after
serving his or her sentence;

2. In case of corporations or other associations, the

above penalty shall be imposed upon the managing
partner, president or chief executive in addition to an
exemplary damage of at least Five hundred thousand
pesos (P500,000.00). If it is a foreign firm, the
director and all officers of such foreign firm shall be
barred from entry into the Philippines, in addition to
the cancellation of its license to do business in the
Philippines;
3. If government official or employee, automatically
dismissed from office and permanently disqualified
from holding any elective or appointive position.

c. Chemical substances so confiscated and

forfeited by the Government at its option
shall be turned over to the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources for
safekeeping and proper disposal.
d. The person or firm responsible or
connected with the bringing or
importation into the country of
hazardous or nuclear wastes shall be
under obligation to transport or send
back
said
prohibited
wastes;