A Written Report Presented to the Faculty of the

College of Engineering Education

University of Mindanao
Davao City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Lim, Christian Matthew

Gorgonio, Marian Joey
Ranido, Knight Dar
 June 2019
INTRODUCTION

Environmental Law
Humanity has been aware of its environment far longer than there have been laws to
protect environments. Environmental law, or sometimes known as environmental and natural
resources law, is a term used to explain regulations, statutes, local, national and international
legislation, and treaties designed to protect the environment from damage and to explain the
legal consequences of such damage towards governments or private entities or individuals.

Historical background of Environmental Law

Environmental law, principles, policies, directives, and regulations enacted and
enforced by local, national, or international entities to regulate human treatment of the
nonhuman world. The vast field covers a broad range of topics in diverse legal settings, such
as state bottle-return laws in the United States, regulatory standards for emissions from coal-
fired power plants in Germany, initiatives in China to create a “Green Great Wall”—a shelter
belt of trees—to protect Beijing from sandstorms, and international treaties for the protection
of biological diversity and the ozonosphere. During the late 20th century environmental law
developed from a modest adjunct of the law of public health regulations into an almost
universally recognized independent field protecting both human health and nonhuman nature.

Throughout history national governments have passed

occasional laws to protect human health from environmental
contamination. About AD 80 the Senate of Rome passed
legislation to protect the city’s supply of clean water for drinking
and bathing. In the 14th century England prohibited both the
burning of coal in London and the disposal of waste into
waterways. In 1681 the Quaker leader of the English colony of
Pennsylvania, William Penn, ordered that one acre of forest be
preserved for every five acres cleared for settlement, and in the
following century Benjamin Franklin led various campaigns to
TOPICS
curtail the dumping of waste. In the 19th century, in the midst of
the Industrial Revolution, the British government passed
regulations to reduce the deleterious effects of coal burning and
chemical manufacture on public health and the environment.
Environmental Laws in the Philippines
It is interesting to note that natural resources had been stored virtually untouched in
the Earth for millions of years. But since the start of industrial revolution vast amounts of
these resources had been exploited within a period of just a couple of hundred of years at
unimaginable rates, with all the waste from this exploitation going straight in the environment
(air, water, land) and seriously damaging its natural processes. That is why, the government
made its effort to prevent the rapid destruction of environment. In the Philippines, there are
numerous environmental laws that have been passed. Some of it are the following:

1. Republic Act No. 6969 “Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes
Control Act of 1990”

It stated that it is the policy of the state to regulate, restrict or prohibit the importation,
manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and
mixtures that present unreasonable risk and/or injury to health or the environment.
To prohibit 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.

2. Republic Act No. 8749 “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999”

This act stated that 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, promote
and protect the global environment to attain sustainable development while recognizing the
primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems.
To recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is
primarily area-based. Finally, the state recognizes that clean and healthy environment is for
the good of all and should, therefore, be the concern of all.

3. Republic Act No. 9275 “Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004”

It stated that the state shall pursue a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent
with the protection, preservation and revival of the quality of our fresh, brackish and marine
waters. It shall be the state policy to streamline processes and procedures in the prevention,
control and abatement of pollution of the country’s water resources, promote environmental
strategies, use of appropriate economic instruments and of control mechanisms for the
protection of water resources, and provide for a comprehensive management program for
water pollution focusing on pollution prevention.

4. Republic Act No. 9003 “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000”
This describes solid waste management as a discipline associated with the control of
generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing, and disposal of solid
wastes. The manner by which these activities are conducted shall be in accord with the best
principle of public health, economics, engineering conservation, aesthetics, other
environmental considerations, and public attitudes. The act provides for a comprehensive
ecological solid waste management program by creating the necessary institutional
mechanisms and incentives, appropriating funds, declaring certain acts prohibited, and
providing penalties.

5. Republic Act No. 9147 “Wildlife resources Conservation and Protection Act”
This law stated that it shall be the policy of the state to conserve the country’s wildlife
resources and their habitats for sustainability. This act shall have the following objectives:

 To conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to promote ecological
balance and enhance biological diversity.
 To regulate the collection and trade of wildlife, to pursue, with due regard to national
interest.
 Protection of wildlife and their habitats.
 To initiate or support scientific studies on the conservation of biological diversity.

6. Republic Act No. 7942 “Philippine Mining Act of 1995”

It stated that all mineral resources in public and private lands within the territory and
exclusive economic zone of the Republic of the Philippines are owned by the state. The
responsibility of the state is to promote their rational exploration, development, utilization
and conservation through the combined efforts of government and the private sector in order
to enhance growth in a way that effectively safeguards the environment and protect the rights
of affected communities.