Environmental laws regulate activities that could harm the environment and protect nature. The Philippine Clean Air Act aims to achieve healthy air quality. It sets emission standards and phases out toxic fuels. The Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act regulates dangerous chemicals and waste to prevent pollution and protect human health. The Philippine Clean Water Act designates water quality areas and regulates wastewater discharge to protect water resources. It also establishes a national sewerage program.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL 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.
- The purpose of these environmental laws is to prevent,
minimize, remedy and punish actions that threaten or
damage the environment and those that live in it.
The Philippine Clean Air Act (Republic Act No. 8749 of 1999)
- Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine
Clean Air Act, is a comprehensive air quality management
policy and program which aims to achieve and maintain
healthy air for all Filipinos.
The Philippine Clean Air Act
- The passage of the Philippine Clean Air Act (RA 8749) on
June 23, 1999, provides for a comprehensive air pollution
control policy, as it outlines the government’s measures to
reduce air pollution by including environmental protection
activities into its development plans. It has adopted the
“polluters pay principle” and other market-based instruments
to promote self-regulation among the population. Emission
standards are set for all motor vehicles and had issued
pollutant limitations among industries. The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources through its
Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) is leading
the strict implementation of the Clean Air Act.
How does air pollution affect humans?
- Studies show that air pollution is one of the causes of
cardiopulmonary diseases and the increase in air pollution-
related deaths. Moreover, air pollution can weaken the
body’s defenses against assorted viruses and bacteria. It
impacts on one’s health – from becoming sluggish to
acquiring deadly diseases, such as lung cancer.
How will good air quality be ensured?
- The National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values, in order
to protect health, safety, and the general welfare, have been
set in law. These are to be routinely reviewed by the DENR,
through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), in
coordination with other concerned agencies and sectors.
How will air quality in the country be managed?
- Designation of air sheds
-Management of air sheds
What about fuels?
-Clean fuels are needed to achieve clean air. The CAA thus
provides for:
- The complete phase out of leaded gasoline before the end
of the year 2000;
- The lowering of the sulfur content of industrial and
automotive diesel, respectively, from 0.5% to 0.3% and from
0.2% to 0.05%.
- The lowering of aromatics in unleaded gasoline from 45%
maximum to 35% maximum; and the lowering of benzene in
unleaded gasoline from 4% maximum to 2% maximum.
-Further improvement on the fuel quality, excluding cleaner
alternative fuels, will be spearheaded by the Department of
Energy.
What about other sources of air pollution?
Smoking is banned beginning May 25, 2001, in any of the
following locations:
- Inside a public building;
- Enclosed public places including public vehicles and other
means of transport;
- In any enclosed area outside of one’s private residence,
private place of work; or
- Any duly designated area which will be enclosed.
The local government units are mandated to implement this
provision of the law.
Penalty to violation of this provision is six months and one
day to one year imprisonment, or a fine of ten thousand
pesos (P10,000).
The Philippine Clean Air Act
- a comprehensive air quality management policy and
program which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for
all Filipinos.
- Breathing clean air upholds human rights to life and good
health and their right to live in a clean, healthy and
sustainable environment. The DENR supports the country’s
economic development while balancing it with the need to
keep our environment sustainable.

2. TOXIC SUBSTANCE AND HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTE
CONTROL ACT (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6969)
- In pursuant to RA 6969 or also known as Toxic Substances,
Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990, is a
program of DENR-EMB covers that sound and proper
management of industrial chemicals and hazardous wastes in
all aspects of its life cycle, from importation, manufacture,
distribution, transportation, use and disposal.
- This act makes provisions in order to regulate, restrict
and/or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing
sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances
and mixtures presenting risk and/or major injury to human
and animal health or to the environment; it provides for the
prohibition of entry and transmit of hazardous and nuclear
wastes and their disposal into the Philippine while
encouraging the research and studies on toxic chemicals.
HISTORY OF RA NO. 6969
TOXIC SUBSTANCE AND HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR
WASTE CONTROL
- Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress
- Approved on October 26, 1990
- Ramon V. Mitra : Speaker of the House Representatives
- Jovito R. Salongs : President of the Senate
- Under the Presidency of Corazon “Cory” Aquino
CHARACTERISTIC OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
TOXICITY- Poisonous (acute) and having carcinogenic,
teratogenic, or mutagenic effect on human or other
organisms.
IGNITABILITY- Can create fire under certain conditions
CORROSIVITY- Acidic or basic capable of coroding metals; by
chemical actions, can curse severe damage when in contact
with living issue
REACTIVE- waste that: (1) are stable under normal
comditions and readily undergo violent change without
detonating (2) act violently with water & create
spontaneously explosive mixtures like toxic gases, vapor,
fumes (3) capable of detonating
EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
- CHEMICAL WASTE (batteries)
- TOXIC WASTE (solvents and waste oils)
- MEDICAL WASTE (disposable masks )
- INDUSTRIAL WASTE (plastics and resins manufacturing )
- RADIOACTIVE WASTE (rags, tools and laboratory
equipment.)
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
- Not strictly implemented in localities.
- Limited budget for toxic substance and hazardous
waste disposal facility.
- Not all LGU’s have their own materials recovery
facility and sanitary landfill.
- Lack of information dissemination to the locals
- To control, supervise and regulate activities on toxic
chemicals and hazardous waste.
- To ensure the safety of both men and women who
are especially exposed to such substances in thei
household, ocupation adn businesses.
EFFECTS ON SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
- GROUND WATER CONTAMI-NATED
- AFFECT FOOD SUPPLIES
- AIR POLLUTA-NTS
- HEALTH SECURITY
- OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
- HUMANS
RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUES OF TOXIC
SUBSTANCES, HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTE
CONTROL
- Improve enforcement of RA No. 6969
- Involve small industries and institutions like schools,
baranggay’s and health care providers.
- Stricter penalties for violations.
- Strengthen and promote research and development
on hazardous waste management.
- Secure landfills.
- Segregation of hazardous waste.
DO’s and DON’T’S OF CHEMICAL DISPOSAL
- DO store hazardous wastes in a safe manner before
pick-up
- DO dispose of waste in a safe, appropriate manner.
- DON’T dump/throw hazardous waste in the bin.
- DON’T attempt to burn hazardous materials.

3. RA 9275 : THE PHILIPPINE CLEAN WATER ACT
- Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275) was enacted
on march 22, 2004 and published on April 21, 2004
and subsequently took on may 06, 2004
- Implementing rules and regulations of the PCWA of
2004 was approved the secretary on may 16, 2005
and published last may 26, 2005 under DAO 2005-10
series of 2005 (manila times and manila standard
today)
- This Act provides for the abatement and control of
pollution from land based sources, and lays down
water quality standards and regulations. The Act
shall apply to water quality management in all water
bodies: fresh, brackish and marine waters. It shall be
the policy of the State to: prevent, control and abate
pollution of the country water resources; promote
environmental strategies for the protection of water
resources; formulate a national program of water
quality management; promote commercial and
industrial processes and products that are
environment friendly and energy efficient; etc.
Section 3. Coverage of RA 9275
- Water Quality Management in all water bodies
- Primarily apply to abatement and control of
pollution from land-based sources
- Enforcement of water quality standards, regulations
and penalties
SEC. 5 - Water Quality Management Area (WQMA)
- The Department, in coordination with National
Water Resources Board (NWRB), shall designate
certain areas as water quality management areas
using appropriate physiographic units such as
watershed, river basins or water resources regions.
SEC. 7 - National Sewerage & Septage Management
Program
- A priority listing of sewerage, septage and combined
systems/project for LGUs based on relevant
considerations for the protection of water quality
- LGUs may enter into BOT or joint venture agreement
w/ private sector for constructing, rehabilitating
and/or operation of such facilities
- Each LGU shall appropriate land, including right-of-
way/ road access for construction of sewage and
septage treatment facilities.
SEC. 13 - WASTEWATER CHARGE SYSTEM
- Established on the basis of payment to government
for discharging wastewater into the water bodies
- Based on net waste load (diff. of initial load of
abstracted water to waste load of discharged
effluent),
- Complying industries to be charged minimal
reasonable amount
SEC. 14- DISCHARGE PERMIT (DP)
- Legal authorization to discharge wastewater , as
granted by DENR
- Permit specifies ff. among others: the allowed
effluent quantity and quality; compliance schedule;
monitoring equipment
Section 22. Linkage Mechanism
DENR - Lead Government Agency
PCG - enforce water quality standards in marine
waters, specifically offshore source
DPWH - provide sewage and sanitation facilities
DA - prepare guidelines for safe reuse of wastewater
for agricultural usage and control and abatement of
pollution from agri/aquacultural activities. (AO 2007 -26)
DOH – set, revise, enforce drinking water quality
standards
DOST – evaluate, verify, develop and disseminate
pollution prevention and cleaner production technology
DepED, CHED, DILG, and PIA – prepare and implement a
comprehensive and continuing public education and
information program
Section 27. Prohibited Acts of RA 9275
- discharging or depositing any water pollutant to the
water body which could cause water pollution, or
impede natural flow in the water body
- discharging, injecting or allowing to enter into the soil,
anything that would pollute groundwater
- operating facilities that discharges regulated water
pollutants without the required permits
- disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea
by vessels
- unauthorized transport or dumping into waters of
sewage sludge or solid waste
FOOD SAFETY ACT OF 2013 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10611
- An Act to strengthen the Food Safety Regulatory
System in the Country to Protect Consumer Health
and Facilitate Market Access of local foods and food
products, and for other purposes.
- Food Safety refers to the assurance that food will
not cause harm, human health is protected and
market access of locally produced foods and food
products is facilitated.

4. - It helps to enhance the productivity and
consecutively the production of food. It can assist in
providing opportunities for income generation. And,
it generally provides improvement of nutritional
advice through home economics programmers and
enhances the quality of rural life by way of
community development.
- In 23 August 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino III
signed into law Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise
knowns as the “Food Safety Act of 2013”.
- The law adheres to the Philippine Constitution’s
declaration to protect and promote the right of the
people to health and keep its populace from the
threat of trade malpractices and substandard and
hazardous products.
- With these pronouncements, the country shall
support and advocate for a farm-to-fork food safety,
promotes fair trade and fosters the competitiveness
of the country’s food and food products.
- Republic Act No. 10611 also known as the “Food
Safety Act of 2013” defines food as any substance of
product whether processed, partially processed or
unprocessed that is intended for human
consumption. It includes drinks, chewing gum, water
and other substances, which are intentionally
incorporated into the food during its manufacture,
preparation and treatment.
- The law provides protection to consumers so they
will have access to local foods and food products
that have undergone thorough and rigid inspection.
SECTION 3
To strengthen the food safety regulatory
system in the country, the State shall
adopt the following specific objectives:
- (a) Protect the public from food-borne and
water-borne illnesses and unsanitary,
unwholesome, misbranded or adulterated
foods;
- (b) Enhance industry and consumer
confidence in the food regulatory system;
and
- (c) Achieve economic growth and
development by promoting fair trade
practices and sound regulatory foundation
for domestic and international trade.
Under Section No. 37, these acts are
prohibited:
- (a) Produce, handle or manufacture for sale,
offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or
import into the Philippines any food or food
product which is not in conformity with an
applicable food quality or safety standard
promulgated in accordance with this Act.
- (b) Produce, handle or manufacture for
sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce,
or import into the Philippines any food or
food product which has been declared as
banned food product;
- (c) Refuse access to pertinent records or
entry of inspection officers of the FSRA;
- (d) Fail to comply with an order relating to
notifications to recall unsafe products;
- (e) Adulterate, misbrand, mislabel, falsely
advertise any food product which misleads
the consumers and carry out any other acts
contrary to good manufacturing practices;
- (f) Operate a food business without the
appropriate authorization;
- (g) Connive with food business operators or
food inspectors, which will result in food
safety risks to the consumers; and
- (h) Violate the implementing rules and
regulations of this Act
- Any person who shall violate any provision
of the Food and Safety Act may be fined
ranging from P50,000 to P500,000, and
sentenced to imprisonment from one
month to six years and one day, depending
on the resulting harm to a person.
Department of Agriculture
The DA shall be responsible for food safety
in the primary production and post harvest
stages of food locally produced or
imported.
- Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
- National Dairy Authority (NDA)
- National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS)
- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR)

5. - Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
- Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)
- Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
- Sugar Regularity Administration (SRA)
- National Food Authority (NFA)
- Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
Department of Health
- The DOH shall be responsible for the safety
of processed and prepackaged foods, foods
locally produced or imported under this
category and the conduct of monitoring and
epidemiological studies on food-borne
illnesses.
Department of Interior and
Local Government
- The DILG in collaboration with the DA, the
DOH and other government agencies shall
supervise the enforcement of food safety
and sanitary rules and regulations as well as
the inspection and compliance of business
establishments and facilities within its
territorial jurisdiction.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
- The LGUs shall be responsible for food
safety in food businesses such as, but not
limited to, activities in slaughterhouses,
dressing plants, fish ports, wet markets,
supermarkets, school canteens, restaurants,
catering establishments and water refilling
stations. The LGU shall also be responsible
for street food sale, including ambulant
vending.
EXAMPLE OF FOOD SECURITY
- For decades now, majority of farmers in
this town relied on potato production as
main source of income. They attribute this
to the high elevation and cool climate which
are ideal for growing vegetables. But just
like gold, potatoes in Alegre need to meet
the desired quality to command better
place. Farmers only used home-save potato
seeds which yield small tubers and highly
susceptible to pests and diseases
particularly bacterial wilt.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT (RA 9003)
- In 2000, the Philippine government enacted
Republic Act 9003, also known as the Solid
Waste Management Act, to address
challenges caused by solid wastes and
promote proper waste management
practices throughout the country.
MRF ( Materials Recovery Facilities)
- Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are
facilities where recyclable and reusable
materials are collected, sorted, and
processed.
- established in all barangays, cities, and
municipalities in the Philippines under
Republic Act 9003.
- operated by the local government units or
private companies under contract with the
local government.
3 R’s REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
- This refers to reducing the amount of waste
generated in the first place.
- This refers to finding new uses for items
that would otherwise be discarded.
- This refers to the process of turning waste
materials into new products.
PROHIBITION OF OPEN DUMPING AND
BURNING
- Open dumping refers to the indiscriminate
disposal of solid waste in open areas such as
vacant lots, rivers, or seas.
- Open burning refers to the combustion of solid
waste in open areas.
- The Solid Waste Management Act requires the
establishment of controlled dumpsites and
sanitary landfills as disposal facilities for solid
waste. These facilities are designed to minimize
environmental pollution and health hazards
associated with solid waste disposal.

6. PROMOTION OF COMPOSTING AND OTHER
WASTE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES
- The Solid Waste Management Act
encourages the use of waste management
technologies such as composting to divert
organic waste from landfills and promote
environmental sustainability.
- Composting is a natural process of
decomposition that turns organic waste,
such as food and yard waste, into nutrient-
rich soil. Composting can be done at home
or in community composting sites.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
UNDER RA 9003
- The National Solid Waste Management
Commission (NSWMC) - responsible for the
formulation and promulgation of policies
and guidelines on solid waste management
and the monitoring and evaluation of the
implementation of the law.
- Local government units (LGUs) - primarily
responsible for the implementation of the
law within their respective jurisdictions.
- Waste generators (households,
establishments, and industries) -
responsible for the proper segregation,
storage, and disposal of their waste.
- Waste collectors (public or private)- are
responsible for the collection, transport,
and disposal of solid waste in a safe and
environmentally sound manner.
- The private sector -is encouraged to
participate in the management of solid
waste through partnerships with LGUs, the
establishment of recycling and recovery
facilities, and the provision of waste
collection and transport services.
BENEFITS OF PROPER SOLID WASTE
MANAGEMENT
- It helps to reduce pollution and improve air
and water quality, making communities
safer and healthier places to live.
- It promotes the sustainable use of natural
resources by reducing the amount of waste
sent to landfills and promoting recycling
and recovery.
- Proper solid waste management can
improve the aesthetic value of
communities, attracting tourists and
promoting local businesses.
- It can also help to reduce the financial
burden on LGUs by reducing the cost of
waste management and generating revenue
from recycling and recovery programs.