INTRODUCTION

The 1987 Philippine Constitution lays down the basic

framework for our policy on the environment.

• Section 16, Article II states 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.”

• Section 15 of the same Article also mandates the State “to protect and promote the people’s right to health.”

Executive Order No. 192

• designated the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the “primary government agency responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources.”

• Its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is specifically tasked “to recommend rules and regulations for environmental impact assessments and provide technical assistance for their implementation and monitoring.”

Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1151 (Philippine Environmental Policy)

- is the first policy issuance on Environment Impact Statement (EIS) System in the Philippines.

Effective since 1977, section 4 thereof explicitly requires “all agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned and controlled corporations, as well as private corporations, firms and entities to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for every action, project or undertaking which significantly affects the quality of the

environment.”

The Philippine EIS System was formally established in 1978 by virtue of PD No. 1586.

Reiterating the policy statement under PD 1151, it declared environmentally critical projects (ECPs) and projects within environmentally critical areas (ECAs) as projects which require the submission of an EIS. Section 4 thereof provides that “no person, partnership or corporation shall undertake or operate any in part such declared ECP or project within an ECA without first securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).”

PD 1586 also identified the lead agency for the implementation of the EIS System and provided sanctions for its violation.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1586

ESTABLISHING AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SYSTEM, INCLUDING OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT RELATED MEASURES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the pursuit of a comprehensive and integrated environmental protection program necessities the establishment and institutionalization of a system whereby the exigencies of socio-economic undertakings can be reconciled with the requirements of environmental quality;   WHEREAS, the regulatory requirements of Environmental Impact Statements and Assessments instituted in pursuit of this national environmental protection program have to be worked into their full regulatory and procedural details in a manner consistent with the goals of the program.

Section 4Presidential Proclamation of

Environmentally Critical Areas and Projects

The President of the Philippines may, on his own initiative or upon recommendation of the National Environmental Protection Council, by proclamation declare certain projects, undertakings or areas in the country as environmentally critical. No person, partnership or corporation shall undertake or operate any such declared environmentally critical project or area without first securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the President or his duly authorized representatives. For the proper management of said critical project or area, the President may by his proclamation reorganize such government offices, agencies, institutions, corporations or instrumentalities including the re-alignment of government personnel, and their specific functions and responsibilities.

For the same purpose as above, the Ministry of Human Settlements shall:

a.  prepare the proper land or water use pattern for said critical project(s) or area(s);   b.  establish ambient environmental quality standards;   c.  develop a program of environmental enhancement or protective measures against calamitous factors such as earthquake, floods, water erosion and others, and   d.  perform such other functions as may be directed by the President from time to time.

Section 9Penalty for Violation Section 9Penalty for Violation

Any person, corporation or partnership found violating Section 4 of this Decree, or the terms and conditions in the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate, or of the standards, rules and regulations issued by the National Environmental Protection Council pursuant to this Decree shall be punished by the suspension or cancellation of his/its certificate and/or a fine in an amount not to exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.000) for every violation thereof, at the discretion of the National Environmental Protection Council.