Macroeconomics

Laws pertaining to some problems of the

Philippines

By: Jolina Marie P. Gallardo

ISSUE: POLLUTION
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8749
PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
Chapter 1
General Provisions
Article One
Basic Air Quality Policies
SECTION
1. Short
Title. This
Act
shall
be
known
as
the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles. - The State shall protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
The State shall promote and protect the global environment to
attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary
responsibility
of
local
government
units
to
deal
with
environmental problems.
The State recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the
habitat and environment is primarily area-based.
The State also recognizes the principle that polluters must
pay.
Finally, the State recognizes that a clean and healthy
environment is for the good of all and should, therefore,
be the concern of all.
SEC. 3. Declaration of Policies. - The State shall pursue a
policy of balancing development and environmental protection.
To achieve this end, the frame work for sustainable development
shall be pursued. It shall be the policy of the State
to:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
[a] Formulate a holistic national program of air pollution
management that shall be implemented by the government through
proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and
activities;
[b] Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and
industries through the application of market-based instruments;

[c] Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on

control and provide for a comprehensive management program for
air pollution;
[d] Promote public information and education and to encourage the
participation of an informed and active public in air quality
planning and monitoring; and
[e] Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short
and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project,
program or activity. This shall include the setting up of a
funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and environmental
rehabilitation and compensation for personal damages.
SEC. 4. Recognition of Rights. - Pursuant to the above-declared
principles, the following rights of citizens are hereby sought
to be recognized and the State shall seek to guarantee their
enjoyment:
[a] The right to breathe clean air;
[b] The right to utilize and enjoy all natural resources
according to the principles of sustainable development;
[c] The right to participate in the formulation, planning,
implementation and monitoring of environmental policies and
programs and in the decision-making process;
[d] The right to participate in the decision-making process
concerning development policies, plans and programs projects or
activities that may have adverse impact on the environment and
public health;
[e] The right to be informed of the nature and extent of the
potential hazard of any activity, undertaking or project and to
be served timely notice of any significant rise in the level of
pollution
and
the
accidental
or
deliberate
release into the atmosphere of harmful or hazardous substances;
[f] The right of access to public records which a citizen may
need to exercise his or her rights effectively under this Act;
[g] The right to bring action in court or quasi-judicial bodies
to enjoin all activities in violation of environmental laws and
regulations, to compel the rehabilitation and cleanup of affected
area, and to seek the imposition of penal sanctions against
violators of environmental laws.
chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

ISSUE: EDUCATION
BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 232
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF
EDUCATION.

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Education Act of 1982."s virtual law
library

Sec. 2. Coverage. This Act shall apply to and govern both formal and non-formal
systems in public and private schools in all levels of the entire educational
system.
CHAPTER 2
Declaration of Basic State Policy and Objectives
Sec. 3. Declaration of Basic Policy. It is the policy of the State to established
and maintain a complete, adequate and integrated system of education relevant to
the goals of national development. Toward this end, the government shall ensure,
within the context of a free and democratic system, maximum contribution of the
educational system to the attainment of the following national developmental
goals:
1. To achieve and maintain an accelerating rate of economic development and
social progress;
2. To ensure the maximum participation of all the people in the attainment and
enjoyment of the benefits of such growth; and
3. To achieve and strengthen national unity and consciousness and preserve,
develop and promote desirable cultural, moral and spiritual values in a changing
world.
The State shall promote the right of every individual to relevant quality education,
regardless of sex, age, creed, socio-economic status, physical and mental
conditions, racial or ethnic origin, political or other affiliation. The State shall
therefore promote and maintain equality of access to education as well as the
enjoyment of the benefits of education by all its citizens. s virtual law library

The state shall promote the right of the nation's cultural communities in the
exercise of their right to develop themselves within the context of their cultures,
customs, traditions, interest and belief, and recognizes education as an instrument
for their maximum participation in national development and in ensuring their
involvement

in

achieving

national

unity.

ch

Sec. 4. Declaration of Objectives. The educational system aim to:

1. Provide for a broad general education that will assist each individuals in the
peculiar ecology of his own society, to (a) attain his potentials as a human being;
(b) enhance the range and quality of individual and group participation in the
basic functions of society; and (c) acquire the essential educational foundation of
his development into a productive and versatile citizen;

virtual law library

2. Train the nation's manpower in the middle-level skills for national development;
3. Develop the profession that will provide leadership for the nation in the
advancement of knowledge for improving the quality of human life; and
4. Respond effectively to changing needs and conditions of the nation through a
system of educational planning and evaluation.

Issue: POVERTY
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8425

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE SOCIAL

REFORM AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION
PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE
NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION,
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Social Reform and
Poverty Alleviation Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of policy. It is the policy of the State to:
(1) Adopt an area-based, sectoral and focused intervention to poverty
alleviation wherein every poor Filipino family shall be empowered to meet
its minimum basic needs of health, food and nutrition, water and
environmental sanitation, income security, shelter and decent housing,
peace and order, education and functional literacy, participation in
governance, and family care and psycho-social integrity;
cralaw

(2) Actively pursue asset reform or redistribution of productive economic

resources to the basic sectors including the adoption of a system of public
spending which is targeted towards the poor;
(3) Institutionalize and enhance the Social Reform Agenda, hereinafter
known as the SRA, which embodies the results of the series of

consultations and summits on poverty alleviation;

(4) Adopt and operationalize the following principles and strategies as
constituting the national framework integrating various structural
reforms and anti-poverty initiatives:
(a) Social reform shall be a continuing process that addresses the basic
inequities in Philippine society through a systematic package of social
interventions;
(b) The SRA shall be enhanced by government in equal partnership with
the different basic sectors through appropriate and meaningful
consultations and participation in governance;
(c) Policy, programs and resource commitments from both government
and the basic sectors shall be clearly defined to ensure accountability and
transparency in the implementation of the Social Reform Agenda;
(d) A policy environment conducive to sustainable social reform shall be
pursued;
(e) The SRA shall address the fight against poverty through a multidimensional and cross-sectoral approach which recognizes and respects
the core values, cultural integrity, and spiritual diversity of target sectors
and communities;
(f) The SRA shall pursue a gender-responsive approach to fight poverty;
(g) The SRA shall promote ecological balance in the different ecosystems,
in a way that gives the basic sectors a major stake in the use,
management, conservation and protection of productive resources;

Macroeconomics
Government laws, solutions to Philippine
issues

By: Justine May B. Clavo

Issue: HEALTH CARE
[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10606]
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7875, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT OF
1995, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 7875, as amended, is
hereby amended to read as follows:
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the National
Health Insurance Act of 2013.
SEC. 2. Section 2 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies. It is hereby
declared the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social
services available to all the people at affordable cost and to
provide free medical care to paupers. Towards this end, the State
shall provide comprehensive health care services to all Filipinos
through a socialized health insurance program that will prioritize
the health care needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly,

persons with disabilities (PWDs), women and children and provide

free health care services to indigents.

Issue: CRIME
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8294
AN ACT AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 1866, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "CODIFYING
THE LAWS ON ILLEGAL/UNLAWFUL POSSESSION,
MANUFACTURE, DEALING IN, ACQUISITION OR
DISPOSITION OF FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES
OR INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES, AND IMPOSING
STIFFER PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS THEREOF,
AND FOR RELEVANT PURPOSES."
Section 1. Sec. 1 Presidential Decree No. 1866, as
amended, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:cralaw
"Sec.
1. Unlawful
manufacture,
sale,
acquisition,
disposition or possession of firearms or ammunition or
instruments used or intended to be used in the
manufacture of firearms or ammunition. The penalty of
prision correccional in its maximum period and a fine of
not less than Fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000) shall be
imposed
upon
any
person
who
shall
unlawfully
manufacture, deal in, acquire, dispose, or possess any low
powered firearm, such as rimfire handgun, .380 or .32 and

other firearm of similar firepower, part of firearm,

ammunition, or machinery, tool or instrument used or
intended to be used in the manufacture of any firearm or
ammunition: Provided, That
no
other
crime
was
committed.
"The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period and a
fine of Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) shall be imposed if
the firearm is classified as high powered firearm which
includes those with bores bigger in diameter than .38
caliber and 9 millimeter such as caliber .40, .41, .44, .45
and also lesser calibered firearms but considered powerful
such as caliber .357 and caliber .22 center-fire magnum
and other firearms with firing capability of full automatic
and by burst of two or three:Provided, however, That no
other crime was committed by the person arrested.
"If the violation of this Sec. is in furtherance of or incident
to, or in connection with the crime of rebellion or
insurrection, sedition, or attempted coup d'etat, such
violation shall be absorbed as an element of the crime of
rebellion, or insurrection, sedition, or attempted coup
d'etat.
"The same penalty shall be imposed upon the owner,
president, manager, director or other responsible officer of
any public or private firm, company, corporation or entity,
who shall willfully or knowingly allow any of the firearms
owned by such firm, company, corporation or entity to be
used by any person or persons found guilty of violating
the provisions of the preceding paragraphs or willfully or
knowingly allow any of them to use unlicensed firearms or
firearms without any legal authority to be carried outside
of their residence in the course of their employment.
"The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon any

person who shall carry any licensed firearm outside his

residence without legal authority therefor."
Sec. 2. Sec. 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1866, as
amended, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:cralaw
"Sec.
3. Unlawful
manufacture,
sale,
acquisition,
disposition or possession of explosives. The penalty
of prision mayor in its maximum period to reclusion
temporal and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall
unlawfully manufacture, assemble, deal in, acquire,
dispose or possess hand grenade(s), rifle grenade(s), and
other explosives, including but not limited to 'pillbox,'
'molotov cocktail bombs,' 'fire bombs,' or other incendiary
devices capable of producing destructive effect on
contiguous objects or causing injury or death to any
person.

Issue: POVERTY
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8425
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE SOCIAL REFORM AND
POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE
PURPOSE THE NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION,
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Social

Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of policy. It is the policy of the State
to:cralaw
(1) Adopt an area-based, sectoral and focused
intervention to poverty alleviation wherein every poor
Filipino family shall be empowered to meet its minimum
basic needs of health, food and nutrition, water and
environmental sanitation, income security, shelter and
decent housing, peace and order, education and functional
literacy, participation in governance, and family care and
psycho-social integrity;
(2) Actively pursue asset reform or redistribution of
productive economic resources to the basic sectors
including the adoption of a system of public spending
which is targeted towards the poor;
(3) Institutionalize and enhance the Social Reform Agenda,
hereinafter known as the SRA, which embodies the results
of the series of consultations and summits on poverty
alleviation;
(4) Adopt and operationalize the following principles and
strategies as constituting the national framework
integrating various structural reforms and anti-poverty
initiatives:

(a) Social reform shall be a continuing process that

addresses the basic inequities in Philippine society
through a systematic package of social interventions;
(b) The SRA shall be enhanced by government in equal

partnership with the different basic sectors through

appropriate and meaningful consultations and
participation in governance;
(c) Policy, programs and resource commitments from both
government and the basic sectors shall be clearly defined
to ensure accountability and transparency in the
implementation of the Social Reform Agenda;
(d) A policy environment conducive to sustainable social
reform shall be pursued;
(e) The SRA shall address the fight against poverty
through a multi-dimensional and cross-sectoral approach
which recognizes and respects the core values, cultural
integrity, and spiritual diversity of target sectors and
communities;
(f) The SRA shall pursue a gender-responsive approach to
fight poverty;
(g) The SRA shall promote ecological balance in the
different ecosystems, in a way that gives the basic sectors
a major stake in the use, management, conservation and
protection of productive resources;