Republic of the Philippines

Bulacan State University

Bustos – Campus
Poblacion Bustos Bulacan

Environmental Laws and Waste

Management
Topics

? Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749)

? Clean Water Act (RA 9275)
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA
8749)
? 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 Act provides for the creation of a national program of air pollution
management focusing primarily on pollution prevention; for the promotion
of mass media communication in order to create social awareness and
active participation in air quality planning and monitoring.
? The DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) continuously monitors the quality of air within the
city and other provinces. Above photo shows the Leganes AAQMS (Manual PMS PM10 & PM2.5) on the left
and the La Paz AAQMS (TSP High Volume) on the right./EMB 6

? Air Quality Monitoring Station (AAQMS) is a system that measures metrological parameters such as wind speed,
wind direction, rainfall, radiation, temperature, barometric pressure and ambient parameters.
? A Certificate of Conformity issued by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources to vehicle manufacturer / assembler or importer shall
certify that this new vehicle or vehicle type meets the mandatory
requirements in terms of pollution prevention as per this Act. The provisions
of this Act extend to the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), that
significantly deplete or otherwise modify the ozone layer and to Persistent
Organic Pollutants (POPs), organic compounds persisting in the
environment, bioaccumulating, and resisting photolytic, chemical and
biological degradation (including but not limited to dioxin, furan,
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, such as aldrin,
dieldrin, DDT, hexachlorobenzene, lindane, toxaphere and chlordane) and
other tpoxic or poisounous substances potentially damaging human and
animal health and the ecosystem.
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.

? When air is polluted, it is laden with Particulate Matter (PM) called PM 10 or

PM2.5. PM is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. Some particles
found in polluted air are dirt, dust, soot, smoke but are dark enough and
can be seen with the naked eye. Others such as airborne microbes and
chemicals can only be detected by using an electron microscope.
What is the Clean Water Act?

? The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275) aims to
protect the country’s 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 stakeholders.
Highlights of the Clean Water Act
How will water quality be managed?

How will water quality be managed?

? Management of water quality will either be based on watershed, river

basin or water resources region. Water quality management areas with
similar hydrological, hydrogeological, meteorological or geographic
conditions which affect the reaction and diffusion of pollutants in water
bodies are to be designated by the DENR in coordination with the National
Water Resources Board (NWRB).
Who will manage these areas?

? Management will be localized. Multi-sectoral governing boards will be

established to manage water quality issues within their jurisdiction.
Who are the members of the Governing
Boards?

? Governing Boards shall be composed of representatives of mayors and

governors as well as local government units, representatives of relevant
national government agencies, duly registered non-government
organizations, the concerned water utility sector and the business sector.
What are the functions of the Governing
Boards?

? The Governing Boards will formulate strategies to coordinate policies

necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. They will create a
multi-sectoral group to establish and effect water quality surveillance and
monitoring
How will discharges of wastewater be
controlled?

? All owners or operators of facilities that discharge wastewater are required

to get a permit to discharge from the DENR or the Laguna Lake
Development Authority. Existing industries without any permit are given 12
months from the effectivity of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR)
promulgated pursuant to this Act to secure a permit to discharge.
How will domestic wastewater be
addressed?

? The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination

with local government units will prepare a national program on sewage
and septage management not later than 12 months from effectivity of this
Act. A priority list will likewise be prepared which will be the basis for the
allotment of funds on an annual basis by the national government for the
construction and rehabilitation of required facilities.
How will the discharge of wastewater be
discouraged?

? Anyone discharging wastewater into a water body will have to pay a

wastewater charge. This economic instrument which will be developed in
consultation with all concerned stakeholders is expected to encourage
investments in cleaner production and pollution control technologies to
reduce the amount of pollutants generated and discharged.
What safeguards are provided for?

? All possible dischargers are required to put up an environmental

guarantee fund (EGF) as part of their environmental management plan.
The EGF will finance the conservation of watersheds and aquifers, and the
needs of emergency response, clean up or rehabilitation.
What are the prohibited acts under R.A.
9275?

? Among others, the Act prohibits the following:

? Discharging or depositing any water pollutant to the water body, or such which will
impede natural flow in the water body
? Discharging, injecting or allowing to enter into the soil, anything that would pollute
groundwater
? Operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants without the valid required
permits
? Disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea by vessels
? Unauthorized transport or dumping into waters of sewage sludge or solid waste.
? Transport, dumping or discharge of prohibited chemicals, substances or pollutants listed
under Toxic Chemicals, Hazardous and Nuclear
? Wastes Control Act (Republic.Act No. 6969)
? Discharging regulated water pollutants without the valid required discharge permit
pursuant to this Act
? Noncompliance of the LGU with the Water Quality Framework and Management Area
Action Plan
? Refusal to allow entry, inspection and monitoring as well as access to reports and records
by the DENR in accordance with this Act
? Refusal or failure to submit reports and/or designate pollution control officers whenever
required by the DENR in accordance with this Act
? Directly using booster pumps in the distribution system or tampering with the water supply
in such a way to alter or impair the water quality
? Operate facilities that discharge or allow to seep, willfully or through grave negligence,
prohibited chemicals, substances, or pollutantslisted under R.A. No. 6969, into water
bodies.
? Undertake activities or development and expansion of projects, or operating wastewater
treatment/sewerage facilities in violation of P.D.1586 and its IRR.
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.
The roles of other key government
agencies are:
• The Philippine Coast Guard shall enforce water quality standards in
marine waters, specifically from offshore sources.
• The Department of Public Works and Highways through its attached
agencies shall provide sewerage and sanitation facilities, and the efficient
and safe collection, treatment and disposal of sewage within their area of
jurisdiction.
• The Department of Agriculture shall formulate guidelines for the re-use of
wastewater for irrigation and other agricultural uses and for the
prevention, control and abatement of pollution from agricultural and
aquaculture activities.
• The Department of Health shall set, revise and enforce drinking water
quality standards.
• The Department of Science and Technology shall evaluate, verify,
develop and disseminate pollution prevention and cleaner production
technologies.
• The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education,
Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine
Information Agency shall prepare and implement a comprehensive and
continuing public education and information program.
Thank you for listening☺