RA 9275

The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

Why the need for the Clean Water Act?
As early as 1996, monitoring of the countrys rivers showed that only 51% of the
classified rivers still met the standards for their most beneficial use. The rest were
already polluted from domestic, industrial and agricultural sources.
Most studies point to the fact that domestic wastewater is the principal cause of organic
pollution (at 48%) of our water bodies. Yet, only 3% of investments in water supply and
sanitation were going to sanitation and sewage treatment.
A recent World Bank report pointed out that 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.
Thirty-one percent (31%) of all illnesses in the country are attributed to polluted waters.
Clearly, to ensure access to clean water for all Filipinos, it was imperative that
government put together a comprehensive strategy to protect water quality.
What is the Clean Water Act?
The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275) aims to protect the
countrys water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and
commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities). It provides
for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a
multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the stakeholder
What are the fines and penalties imposed on polluters?
The following are among the fines and penalties for violators of this Act and its IRR:
Upon the recommendation of the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), anyone who
commits prohibited acts such as discharging untreated wastewater into any water body
will be fined for every day of violation, the amount of not less than Php 10,000 but not
more than Php 200,000.
Failure to undertake clean-up operations willfully shall be punished by imprisonment of
not less than two years and not more than four years. This also includes a fine of not less
than Php 50,000 and not more than Php 100,000 per day of violation. Failure or refusal
to clean up which results in serious injury or loss of life or lead to irreversible water
contamination of surface, ground, coastal and marine water shall be punished with
imprisonment of not less than 6 years and 1 day and not more than 12 years and a fine of
Php 500,000/day for each day the contamination or omission continues.
In cases of gross violation, a fine of not less than Php 500,000 but not more than Php
3,000,000 will be imposed for each day of violation. Criminal charges may also be filed.
 Who should implement the Clean Water Act?
The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and
enforcement of this Act, with the support of other government organizations, local
government units, non -government organizations and the private sector.
Towards this end, the DENR will review and set affluent standards, review and enforce
water quality guidelines, classify groundwater sources and prepare a national
groundwater vulnerability map, classify or reclassify water bodies, establish
internationally accepted procedures for sampling and analysis, prepare an integrated
water quality management framework and subsequently prepare 10-year management
plans for each water management area.

RA 9729
The Climate Change Act of 2009
Climate change is the most serious and most pervasive threat facing humanity today[3].
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the highest scientific body responsible
for evaluating the risk of climate change, reported that warming of the earths surface is
unequivocal. If left uncontrolled, impacts of climate change to human and nature are
unprecedented and will continuously affect lives of future generations.
Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution declared that the State shall protect and
advance the right of the people to a balance and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature. It is in this statement where the creation of the Republic
Act (R.A.) No. 9729 otherwise known as the Climate Change Act of 2009 was built upon.
The law which was enacted on July 27, 2009 was primarily conceived as the countrys
response to the worldwide phenomenon on climate change. Towards the attainment of
this goal, R.A. No. 9729 allowed mainstreaming of climate change into government
formulation of programs and projects, plans and strategies, and policies, creation of
Climate Change Commission, and establishment of Framework Strategy and Program
for climate change.
Creation of Climate Change Commission. The Climate Change Commission (CCC), an
attached agency to the Office of the President, was created as the lead policy making
body on concerns related to climate change. The CCC is tasked to coordinate, formulate,
and monitor and evaluate programs and actions on climate change.
Formulation of Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change[5]. The National
Framework Strategy on Climate Change (NFSCC) was established to serve as the
roadmap for national programs and plans towards more climate risk-resilient
Philippines. Its main goal is to build the adaptive capacity of communities, increase the
resilience of natural ecosystems to climate change, and optimize mitigation opportunities
towards sustainable development.
 RA 8949

RA 9512
The Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) and other relevant agencies, shall integrate environmental education in its
school curricula at all levels, whether public or private, including in barangay daycare,
preschool, non-formal, technical vocational, professional level, indigenous learning and
out-of-school youth courses or programs. Environmental education shall encompass
environmental concepts and principles, environmental laws, the state of international
and local environment, local environmental best practices, the threats of environmental
degradation and its impact on human well-being, the responsibility of the citizenry to the
environment and the value of conservation, protection and rehabilitation of natural
resources and the environment in the context of sustainable development.
Republic Act No. 9512 on National Environmental Awareness and Education Act, 2008.
Country Philippines Document type Legislation Date 2008 Source FAO, FAOLEX Long
title. An Act to promote environmental awareness through environmental education and
for other purposes.
Be if enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled: