RA 9512 AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Discussion:
This Act is known as "National Environmental Awareness and Education Act
of 2008". It was created December 15 2008 and took effect 15 days after its
publication in the Official Gazette of the Congress or in 2 newspapers of general
circulation. This Act mandates the DepEd, TESDA, DSWD, DENR, DOST and
other relevant agencies to integrate environmental education in curriculum of all
types of schools whether private or public. The above stated agencies will lead the
implementation of public education and awareness programs on environmental
protection and conservation. It promotes environmental awareness and education
to students in different educational institutions. This law also mandates the CHED
and TESDA to include the environmental education and awareness programs and
activities in the National Service Training Program (NSTP). DENR shall inform
the concerned agencies of environmental updates. DOST shall create science based
programs to concerning environmental issues for dissemination. The law declares
the month of November as the Environmental Awareness month.
Example:
1. Eco-Savers Program of DENR
2. Climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction
Education.
3. War on Waste program of DENR

RA 9003 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

Discussion:
This Act is known as "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. It
was created January 26, 2001 and took effect 15 days after its publication in the
Official Gazette of the Congress or in 2 newspapers of general circulation. This
law enjoins all Government agencies and institution as enumerated in Sec. 4 of the
Act to ensure environmental protection, create environmentally sound methods of
utilization of resources, waste segregation, waste management, research and
develop programs on waste reduction, recycling, waste collection and recovery.
This law includes the private sector in the waste management programs. It also
mandates the integration of ecological solid waste management in the academic
curricula of formal and non-formal education. The law is more comprehensive due
to the powers vested to the different agencies and institutions as stated in Sec 5.
The law creates the National Ecology Center which shall provide consulting,
information, training, and networking services for the implementation of the
provisions of this Act. The law gives the government agencies visitorial powers as
provided in Sec. 9 as a form of police power of the state. The law also states penal
provisions (Sec. 48) which in violation thereof shall constitute imprisonment and
payment of fines upon conviction as provided in Sec. 49.
Examples:
1. Waste Segregation program of Local Government Units
2. Lapu Lapu City Ordinance 484-7
3. Marikina City 10 year Environmental Compliance program

Distinction:
RA 9512 is a law created to promote environmental education and information
programs through government agencies and institutions while RA 9003 is a more
comprehensive law specially that it has penal provisions. It empowers government
agencies and institutions to act, punish, implement the provisions of this law.

Significance of both Laws:

Both laws RA 9512 and 9003 are environmental laws which give rise to the
protection of the environment. It mandates all the relevant government institutions
and agencies to preserve and improve what is left in our environment.
Furthermore, these laws were created for the future citizens of the Philippines and
shall prevent environmental suits thrown at the Government.