LAWS TO BE GOVERNED

 

The Environmental Laws of the Philippines is designated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). They had many Acts that have been assigned as a law. The Pollution Control Law P.D. 984 consists of the Clean Air Act of 1999 R.A. 8749 DAO 2000-81, Clean Water Act of 2004 R.A. 9275 DAO 2005-10, Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000 R.A. 9003 DAO 2001-34, and the Toxic Substances & Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Act of 1990 R.A. 6969.

The Clean Air Act of 1999 R.A. 8749 DAO 2000-81 is a comprehensive policy and program for air quality management in the country. The DENR Administrative Order No. 2000-81 is the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act. This act is important because it is evident today that the pollution in our atmosphere is very severe. The pollution should be regulated and controlled. So they have made rules that all sources of air pollution must have a valid Permit-to-Operate. All proposed or planned construction or modification of sources that has the potential to emit100 tons per year or more of any of the regulated pollutants are required to have an approvedAuthority to Construct before implementation, for purposes of sampling, planning, research and other similar purposes. The DENR-EMB, may issue a Temporary Permit-to-Operate not to exceed ninety (90) days, provided that theapplicant has pending application for Permit-to-Operate. Permit-to-Operate is valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance unless sooner suspendedor revoked and must be renewed thirty (30) days before the expiration date and upon paymentor the required fees and compliance with requirements, in case of sale or legal transfer of a facility covered by a permit, the permittee shall notify the DENR-EMB within thirty (30) days from the date of sale or transfer. The owner or the Pollution Control Officer shall keep a record of the operation of the sourcesand shall furnish a copy to the DENR-EMB in a quarterly basis. Right of Entry, Inspection and Testing by the authorized representative of DENR-EMB.

Clean Water Act of 2004 R.A. 9275 DAO 2005-10 was also done by DENR. They have also done rules to permit for discharging wastewater such that for industries without any discharge permit is given a period of twelve (12) months after the effectivity of the IRR, DAO 2005-10 dated May 16, 2005, to secure a discharge permit. Pollution sources currently discharging to existing sewerage system with operational wastewater treatment facilities shall be exempt from the permit requirement. The discharge permit is valid for a maximum period of five (5) years from the date of its issuance and must be renewed 30 days before expiration. The self-monitoring report shall be submitted to the Regional Offices within fifteen (15) calendar days after the end of each quarter.

Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000 R.A. 9003 DAO 2001-34 also has been done as a law because of the waste that is so much evident. Even in the streets, we can see people throwing their garbage anywhere causing too much flood when rain comes in our country. RA 9003 institute measures to promote a more acceptable system which corresponds to the vision of sustainable development. Generally, it aims to merge environmental protection with economic pursuits, recognizing the re-orientation of the community’s view on solid waste, thereby providing schemes for waste minimization, volume reduction, resource recovery utilization and disposal.

 Toxic Substances & Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Act of 1990 R.A. 6969 is another law that has been passed. This is for industries having heavy loads of toxic and hazardous chemicals that can be harmful to the society. This act will regulate, limit, and prohibit importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, and use, and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk to public health and environment. It will prohibit the entry and disposal of hazardous wastes into the Philippines territorial limits. It will also advance and facilitate research on toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes.