NSTP-CWTS 1 – National Service Training Program – Civic Welfare

Training Service 1
Module 6 – Principles and Laws of Environment
the
government’s initiatives to protect the
environment.

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
After studying this module, you as a future
graduate should be able to:

a. reflect on the seven principles of

environment in relation to the recent
global pandemic COVID-19
b. identify the different Philippine
Environmental Laws; and
c. show your methods or ways to protect
the environment

TOPIC
OUTLINE

1. Seven Environmental Principles

2. Philippine Environmental Laws: This photo is by Keith Hunt. Retrieved from https://www.wallpaperflare.com/time-lapse-
photography-of-water-fall-creek-daylight-environment-wallpaper-agplz
a. R.A. 9003 Ecological Waste
Management
b. R.A. 8794 Clean Air Act
c. R.A. 9275 Clean Water Act
d. R.A. 6969 Toxic Substances And
Hazardous And Nuclear Wastes
Control Act
e. R.A. 9147 Wildlife Resources
Conservation And Protection Act
f. R.A. 7942 Philippine Mining Act

This photo is by Raphael Hofmann 2015. Retrieved from

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Highland_cattle_in_its_natural_environment.jpg

OVERVIEW
In the previous module, you learned the
overview of the Environmental Protection, you
determined your role in protecting our
environment, and you applied the best
practices that contribute to environmental
protection.

This time, join me further in protecting nature

through deeply understanding its principles
and learning the laws in our country that
support environmental protection.

This module covers the seven principles of the

environment and the different Philippine This photo is by Huskarl 2010. Retrieved from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Foloi_oak_forest.JPG
Environmental Laws; it also discusses some of

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 ACTIVATING is nutrient cycling. In nature, nutrients pass
from the environment to the organisms and
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE back to the environment. Any disruption in
Before we proceed, I would like you to write the cycle can bring about imbalance.
your thoughts about the following phrases in
1-2 sentences: For example, the burning of farm wastes
instead of allowing them to decompose
naturally disrupts the cycle. In burning, most
Nature knows best of the organic compounds are lost. The
combustion products bring greater havoc as
in the case of carbon dioxide build-up, which
results in the warming-up of the earth, or the
Everything changes so-called "greenhouse" effect

2. All Forms of Life Are Important

All forms of life are important Each organism plays a fundamental role in
nature. Since such occupational or functional
position, otherwise known as a niche, cannot
be simultaneously occupied by more than one
species, it is apparent that all living things
must be considered as invaluable in the
maintenance of homeostasis in the
SEVEN ecosystem.
ENVIRONMENTAL
PRINCIPLES It is easy to
appreciate the
“Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our beautiful
circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and
the whole of nature and it's beauty.”― Albert Einstein
butterflies,
especially
The first step to truly protecting the knowing their
environment is to deeply understand it. This important role
section highlights the principles behind how in pollination.
nature works and the importance of its The giant This photo is by Collage user:MathKnight-at-TAU
+19 others. Retrieved from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Animals-of-Israel-ver004.jpg

existence to all life forms. beasts – the

elephants, the whales, the alligators – are
1. Nature Knows Best objects of awe, and the products they yield –
ivory, oil, leather, respectively – are highly
This principle is the most basic and in fact,
prized. But when it comes to unlovely,
encompasses all the others. Humans have to
wriggly, and troublesome creatures, this
understand nature and have to abide by the
principle is unusually overlooked.
rules nature dictates. In essence, one must
not go against the natural processes if one 3. Everything is connected to everything
would like to ensure a continuous and steady else
supply of
resources. This principle is best exemplified by the
concept of the ecosystem. In an ecosystem,
all biotic and amniotic components interact
with each other to ensure that the system is
One natural
perpetuated. Any outside interference may
process that needs
serious attention
This photo is from pickpik,com. Retrieved from
https://www.pickpik.com/sprout-plant-growing-
asphalt-crack-growth-33485

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result in an imbalance and the deterioration of extent. Although mutation is a natural
the system. change, pesticides have induced insect
mutations, which are not matched by natural
In a lake checks and balances.
ecosystem, the
organisms are 5. Everything must go somewhere
linked to one
When a piece of paper is thrown away, it
another through
disappears from sight but it does not cease to
their feeding This photo is by Abhishek Singh. Retrieved from
exist. It ends up elsewhere. Gases released in
habit/level and
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_lake_ecosystem_-
_Flickr_-_askmeaks.jpg

smokestacks may disperse but it will end up a

are also
component of the atmosphere or brought
dependent on other physico-chemical factors
down by rains. What a particular type of
in the lake (e.g. amount of nutrients,
waste does to the earth's repository should be
amounts, and types of gases, temperature,
of concern to us. It may be a pollutant or a
PH, etc.). At the same time, the Physico-
resource depending on certain factors.
chemical factors in the lake are influenced by
the terrestrial environment that surrounds it. Since wastes are not lost to oblivion, and even
The fertilizers that reach the lake cause a goes back to one's own backyard in some
faster growth of phytoplankton, which may other forms, one becomes aware of the
lead to an algae bloom, red tide, or other such different types of wastes – whether they are
phenomena. Whatever happens to one hazardous or not. Classification of wastes
country may affect other countries. facilitates their proper disposal and
minimizes, if not prevents, the entry of toxic
4. Everything Changes
wastes in vital ecosystems and ensures
It is said that the only permanent thing is
6. Ours is a finite earth
change. As a general classification, change
may be linear, cyclical, or random. An The earth’s resources can be classified as
example of linear change is the evolution of either renewable or non-renewable.
species, which has brought about higher and Renewable
more complex types of organisms. Cyclical resources are
change may be exemplified by seasons and those that can
the rhythms in floral and faunal life stages easily be
that go with the seasons. An example of replenished by
random change is the eruption of Mt. natural cycles
Pinatubo, which brought about a great (e.g. water, air,
upheaval in many parts of Luzon and changes plants, and
This photo is from pixrepo.com. Retrieved from
https://www.pikrepo.com/frjyk/person-holding-blue-and-green-
planet-earth
in the topography of the land. animals) while
non-renewable resources are those that
cannot be replenished through natural cycles
(e.g. ores of various metals, oil, coal).
Although renewable resources can be
This photo is from pixabay.com. Retrieved from
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/climate-change-global-warming-
replenished, it is important to note that these
2063240/
are renewable only as long as they are not
overused nor destroyed from such factors
such as pollution.
The environment is constantly changing.
Organisms also evolve through time. To ensure that these resources will be
However, man’s technology has affected continually replenished, it is essential to know
these natural changes often to a problematic how much of a resource can be consumed at

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a given time to balance the rate of For further information about Corona Virus Disease, open these links:
https://tinyurl.com/ldqs675
exploitation with the rate of replenishment. https://tinyurl.com/ycxk9c83
Unless the factors of population growth,
lifestyles, and polluting technologies are (Write your answer here)

checked, the collapse of the earth might be

inevitable.

7. Nature is beautiful and we are

stewards of God's creation

Among all creatures, humans are the only

ones made in God's image and have been
given the right to have dominion over all His
creations. Being the most intelligent and
gifted with reason, humans are capable of
manipulating creation to their own advantage.
Yet, creation exists not to be ravaged or
abused but to be taken care of. Humans
cannot exist without nature. They are co-
natural with the environment they live in.

PAUSE & REFLECT

Reflection on the Principles of
Environment

When a Global Pandemic like COVID-19 (Corona

Virus Disease 2019) happens, for you, what
Principle/s of Environment was/were violated?
Explain your answer.

PHILIPPINE
ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS
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 evolution vast amounts of these
resources had been exploited within a period
of just a couple of hundreds of years at
unimaginable rates, with all the waste from
this exploitation going straight in the
environment (air, land, water) and seriously
damaging its natural processes. That is why
the government made its effort to prevent the
rapid destruction of the environment. In the
Philippines, there are numerous

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environmental laws that have been passed.
Some of them are the following:

1. R.A. 9003 – ECOLOGICAL

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
ACT OF 2000

Ecological Solid Waste

Management Act Of 2000 is an
act providing for an ecological solid waste
management program, creating the
necessary institutional mechanisms and
incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited
and providing penalties, appropriating funds
therefor, and for other purposes. 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

WASTE CLASSIFICATION
can be turned into
BIODEGRADAB compost or used as
LE WASTE fertilizer
ex. food waste
can be brought to junk
shops and recycling
RECYCLABLE facilities
WASTE ex. paper, carton,
bottles, tins, cans, PET
bottles, plastics
cannot be recycled and
needs alternative
technology; can be
RESIDUAL
brought to sanitary
WASTE
landfills
ex. sanitary napkins,
diapers
should be brought to the
nearest Material Recovery
Facility or Treatment
SPECIAL
Plant
WASTE
ex. paint, spray
canisters, thinner,
electronic waste

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 THE 6 Rs OF SUSTAINABILITY

Rethink/Reinvent: consider and question 2. R.A. 8794 – PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR

consumption habits ACT OF 1999
Refuse: make the choice to not generate
waste Republic Act No. 8749 also
Reduce: make decisions that decrease the known as the "Philippine
amount of waste produced Clean Air Act of 1999" is an
Re-Use/Repair: expand the shelf-lives of
act providing for a comprehensive
products
Recycle: reclaim the raw materials air pollution control policy and for other
Replace/Rebuy: next time consider purposes. The Clean Air Act provides that the
recycled and green content state shall:

For more detailed explanation about 6 Rs of  Protect and advance the right of the
Sustainability, open this link: people to a balanced and healthful
https://tinyurl.com/y4mbcbnt ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature;
MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITITY  Promote and protect the global
environment while recognizing the
According to ecomena.org, a Material primary responsibility of local
Recovery Facility (MRF) is a building to government units to deal with
receive, sort, process, and store recyclable environmental problems;
materials to be shipped and marketed to end-  Recognize that the responsibility of
users. A materials recovery facility accepts cleaning the habitat and environment
materials, whether source separated or is primarily area based;
mixed, and separates, processes, and stores  Recognize that “polluters must pay”;
them for later use as raw materials for  Recognize that a clean and healthy
remanufacturing and reprocessing. environment is for the good of all and
should, therefore, be the concern of
The main function of the MRF is to maximize all.
the quantity of recyclables processed while
producing materials that will generate the For more detailed explanation about clean air
highest possible revenues in the market. act, open this link:
MRFs can also function to process wastes into https://tinyurl.com/y62wqcfj
a feedstock for biological conversion or into a You may also watch:
fuel source for the production of energy. https://tinyurl.com/yxkt55aw

For more detailed explanation about MRF,

open this link: 3. R.A. 9275 – PHILIPPINE CLEAN
https://tinyurl.com/y2ygu3uu WATER ACT OF 2004

The Philippine Clean Water Act

of 2004 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.

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 1. to conserve and protect wildlife species and
It is stated that the state shall pursue a policy their habitats to promote ecological balance
of economic growth in a manner consistent and enhance biodiversity
with the protection, preservation, and revival
of the quality of our fresh, brackish, and 2. to regulate the collection and trade of
marine waters. It shall be the state policy to wildlife, to pursue, with due regard to the
streamline processes and procedures in the national interest; and
prevention , control abatement of pollution of
the country’s water resources, promote 3. to initiate or support scientific studies on
environmental strategies, use of economic the conservation of biological diversity
instruments and control mechanisms for the
protection of water resources, and provide for
a comprehensive management program for For further discussion about wildlife
water pollution focusing on pollution resources, you may watch:
prevention https://tinyurl.com/y9dgu9ul
https://tinyurl.com/y68m8tpe
Visit https://tinyurl.com/y623uhe8 and 6. R.A. – 7942 PHILIPPINE MINING ACT OF
https://tinyurl.com/yxkt55aw for further
1995
information about ways to reduce water
pollution.
It is stated that all mineral
resources in public and
4. R.A. 6969 – TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND private lands within the
HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTES territory and exclusive
economic zone of the Republic
CONTROL ACT OF 1990
of the Philippines are owned by
the state.
This Act stated that it is the
policy of the state to The responsibility of the state is to promote
regulate, restrict or prohibit their rational exploration, development,
the importation, manufacture, utilization and conservation through the
processing, sale, distribution, combined efforts of the government and
use, and disposal of chemical substances, and private sector in order to enhance growth in a
mixtures that present unreasonable risk way that effectively safeguards the
and/or injury to health or the environment. environment and protect the rights of affected
And to prohibit the entry, even in transit, of communities.
hazardous and nuclear wastes and their
disposal into the Philippine territorial limits for
The responsibility of the state is to promote
whatever purpose; and to provide
advancement and facilitate research and their rational exploration, development,
studies on toxic chemicals. utilization and conservation through the
combined efforts of the government and
For further discussion, you may watch: private sector in order to enhance growth in a
https://tinyurl.com/y9dgu9ul way that effectively.
For further discussion about mining, you may
5. R.A. 9147 – WILDLIFE RESOURCES watch:
CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION https://tinyurl.com/y2uyf7fa

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:

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 PHILIPPINE COMMITMENT TO CLIMATE
ACTION

As one of the world’s most vulnerable nations,

the Philippines is strongly committed to
addressing the threat of climate change. It is TEST
a party to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change and a
YOURSELF
signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, which set Short quiz on Philippine Environmental
targets for the reduction of global greenhouse Laws
gas emissions.
To meet its national development goals and Directions: Identify the Environmental Law
international commitments, the government described. Write your answers on the space
established crucial legal and institutional
provided.
frameworks for climate mitigation and
adaptation in the country. Guided by these
laws and strategies, climate change
mitigation and disaster risk reduction
measures have been included in the 1. This Act provides for a comprehensive
Philippine Development Plan for 2017-2022. strategy to address the degradation of our
waterbodies. It mandates the Bureau to
For further discussion about Philippines’ formulate and implement policies and
initiatives to climate change, you may visit: strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to
https://tinyurl.com/yxf27g8w improve water quality in all parts of the
country. _______________________________
Open these links to watch videos about
Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol: 2. It includes the activities and actions
https://tinyurl.com/rwhpdv5 required to manage waste from its inception
https://tinyurl.com/y3nhgavd to its final disposal. This includes the
collection, transport, treatment and disposal
Amidst of the number of environmental laws of waste, together with monitoring and
and initiatives we have in this country to regulation of the waste management process.
protect the source of our living or to protect _______________________________
the environment, at the end of the day, it is
also our responsibility to do our action to save 3. Reduce use of air conditioning and ensure
our environment not just wait for the mandate that rooms are sealed. Make sure that lights
of the government because our life depends are energy-efficient. Use company vehicles
on the state of the environment. wisely and make sure that they are well-
maintained. Use natural lighting by opening
window curtains at daytime.
_______________________________

4. In order to face environmental challenges,

the mining industry must prioritize
biodiversity conservation and work closely
with communities that are dependent on local
resources to tackle challenges together.
_______________________________

5. This law focuses on protecting populations

of some of the world's most ecologically,
economically, and culturally important

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species. _______________________________

6. This Act 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.
_______________________________

LEARNING
ACTIVITY
Documented Application

Objective: Show your methods/ways to

protect the environment through practical
application

Task: You are tasked to present your

ways/methods to help protect the
environment at home and your community.
Attach photos with description as evidence.

Tool: camera

(Use the space of this page)

Module 1 – Issues and Early Approaches to Literary Criticism | Page 9 of 11

 REFERENCES
Great job! You can now proceed to the next
module. Galang AP. 2003. Seven Lenses or
Environmental Principles as if Adults
Mattered. Makati City, Philippines: The
Bookmark, Inc.
SUMMARY Retrieved from:
https://tinyurl.com/yxayew4j
Let us see if you can remember the main
points raised in this lesson. Below is a Zafar Salman (2012). Introduction to MRF
summary of these points: Retrieved from:
https://tinyurl.com/y2ha6dfh
Seven Environmental Principles
Alatervo Saara J. (2013) The 6 Rs: Making
 The seven principles of environment are: A Sustainable Impact
1. Nature Knows Best Retrieved from:
2. All forms of life are important https://tinyurl.com/y4mbcbnt
3. Everything changes
4. Everything is connected to everything Seven Environmental Principles of Nature
else Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/y49lhsbm
5. Everything must go somewhere
R.A. 9003 Ecological Waste Management
6. Ours is a finite earth Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/y27y4ze2
7. Nature is beautiful and we are
steward of God’s creation R.A. 8794 Clean Air Act
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/yy2jyfjn
Philippine Environmental Laws:
R.A. 9275 Clean Water Act
 Major Philippine Environmental Laws: Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/yyxa5m46
1. R.A. 9003 Ecological Waste
Management R.A. 6969 Toxic Substances And Hazardous
2. R.A. 8794 Clean Air Act And Nuclear Wastes Control Act
3. R.A. 9275 Clean Water Act Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/yxgdmrfj
4. R.A. 6969 Toxic Substances And R.A. 9147 Wildlife Resources Conservation
Hazardous And Nuclear Wastes And Protection Act
Control Act Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/tt5vk9r
5. R.A. 9147 Wildlife Resources
Conservation And Protection Act R.A. 7942 Philippine Mining Act
6. R.A. 7942 Philippine Mining Act Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/y65jkz39

 Kyoto Protocol operationalizes the United Climate Laws and Policies

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/yxf27g8w
Change by committing industrialized
countries to limit and reduce greenhouse Wikipedia.org. Kyoto Protocol
gases (GHG) emissions in accordance with Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/clgs486
agreed individual targets.
 The rising average temperature of Earth's Wikipedia.org. Climate change
climate system, called global warming, is Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/cu6b866
driving changes in rainfall patterns,
extreme weather, arrivals of seasons, and
more. Collectively, global warming and its
effects are known as climate change.
Prepared by:

JOLINA D. CASTILLO

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Faculty, College Arts and Sciences

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