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NSTP-CWTS 1 – National Service Training Program – Civic Welfare Training Service 1
Module 6 – Principles and Laws of Environment
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:
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
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 Environmental Laws; it also
discusses some of the government’s initiatives to protect the environment.
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ACTIVATING
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Before we proceed, I would like you to write your thoughts about the following phrases in 1-2 sentences:
Nature knows best
Everything changes
All forms of life are important
SEVEN ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES
“Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it's beauty.”― Albert
Einstein
The first step to truly protecting the environment is to deeply understand it. This section highlights the principles behind how
nature works and the importance of its existence to all life forms.
1. Nature Knows Best
This principle is the most basic and in fact, encompasses all the others. Humans have to
understand nature and have to abide by the rules nature dictates. In essence, one must
not go against the natural processes if one would like to ensure a continuous and steady
supply of resources.
One natural process that needs serious attention is nutrient cycling. In nature, nutrients
pass from the environment to the organisms and back to the environment. Any
disruption in the cycle can bring about imbalance.
For example, the burning of farm wastes instead of allowing them to decompose naturally disrupts the cycle. In burning, most
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 so-called "greenhouse" effect
2. 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 ecosystem.
It is easy to appreciate the beautiful butterflies, especially knowing their important
role in pollination. The giant beasts – the elephants, the whales, the alligators – are
objects of awe, and the products they yield – ivory, oil, leather, respectively – are
highly prized. But when it comes to unlovely, wriggly, and troublesome creatures, this
principle is unusually overlooked.
3. Everything is connected to everything else
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 perpetuated. Any outside interference may result in an imbalance and the
deterioration of the system.
In a lake ecosystem, the organisms are linked to one another through their feeding habit/level and are also dependent on
other physico-chemical factors in the lake (e.g. amount of nutrients, amounts, and types of gases, temperature, PH, etc.). At
the same time, the Physico-chemical factors in the lake are influenced by the terrestrial
environment that surrounds it. The fertilizers that reach the lake cause a faster growth
of phytoplankton, which may lead to an algae bloom, red tide, or other such
phenomena. Whatever happens to one country may affect other countries.
4. Everything Changes
It is said that the only permanent thing is change. As a general classification, change
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may be linear, cyclical, or random. An example of linear change is the evolution of species, which has brought about higher
and more complex types of organisms. Cyclical change may be exemplified by seasons and the rhythms in floral and faunal
life stages that go with the seasons. An example of random change is the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, which brought about a
great upheaval in many parts of Luzon and changes in the topography of the land.
The environment is constantly changing. Organisms also evolve through time. However, man’s technology has affected these
natural changes often to a problematic extent. Although mutation is a natural change, pesticides have induced insect
mutations, which are not matched by natural checks and balances.
5. Everything must go somewhere
When a piece of paper is thrown away, it disappears from sight but it does not cease to exist. It ends up elsewhere. Gases
released in smokestacks may disperse but it will end up a component of the atmosphere or brought down by rains. What a
particular type of waste does to the earth's repository should be of concern to us. It may be a pollutant or a resource
depending on certain factors.
Since wastes are not lost to oblivion, and even goes back to one's own backyard in some other forms, one becomes aware of
the different types of wastes – whether they are hazardous or not. Classification of wastes facilitates their proper disposal and
minimizes, if not prevents, the entry of toxic wastes in vital ecosystems and ensures
6. Ours is a finite earth
The earth’s resources can be classified as either renewable or non-renewable.
Renewable resources are those that can easily be replenished by natural cycles (e.g.
water, air, plants, and 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 replenished, it is important to note that these are renewable
only as long as they are not overused nor destroyed from such factors such as pollution.
To ensure that these resources will be continually replenished, it is essential to know
how much of a resource can be consumed at a given time to balance the rate of
exploitation with the rate of replenishment. Unless the factors of population growth,
lifestyles, and polluting technologies are 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.
For further information about Corona Virus Disease, open these links:
• https://tinyurl.com/ldqs675
• https://tinyurl.com/ycxk9c83
(Write your answer here)
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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 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 compost or used
BIODEGRADABLE
as fertilizer
WASTE
ex. food waste
can be brought to junk shops and
RECYCLABLE recycling facilities
WASTE ex. paper, carton, bottles, tins,
cans, PET bottles, plastics
cannot be recycled and needs
alternative technology; can be
RESIDUAL WASTE
brought to sanitary landfills
ex. sanitary napkins, diapers
should be brought to the nearest
Material Recovery Facility or
SPECIAL WASTE Treatment Plant
ex. paint, spray canisters, thinner,
electronic waste
THE 6 Rs OF SUSTAINABILITY
Rethink/Reinvent: consider and question consumption
habits
Refuse: make the choice to not generate waste
Reduce: make decisions that decrease the amount of
waste produced
Re-Use/Repair: expand the shelf-lives of products
Recycle: reclaim the raw materials
Replace/Rebuy: next time consider recycled and green
content
For more detailed explanation about 6 Rs of Sustainability, open this link: https://tinyurl.com/y4mbcbnt
MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITITY
According to ecomena.org, a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is a building to receive, sort, process, and store recyclable
materials to be shipped and marketed to end-users. A materials recovery facility accepts materials, whether source separated
or mixed, and separates, processes, and stores them for later use as raw materials for remanufacturing and reprocessing.
The main function of the MRF is to maximize the quantity of recyclables processed while producing materials that will
generate the highest possible revenues in the market. MRFs can also function to process wastes into a feedstock for biological
conversion or into a fuel source for the production of energy.
For more detailed explanation about MRF, open this link:
• https://tinyurl.com/y2ygu3uu
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2. R.A. 8794 – PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
Republic Act No. 8749 also known as the "Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999" is an act providing for a
comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes. The Clean Air Act provides that the
state shall:
• Protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature;
• Promote and protect the global environment while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to
deal with environmental problems;
• Recognize that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area based;
• Recognize that “polluters must pay”;
• Recognize that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should, therefore, be the concern of all.
For more detailed explanation about clean air act, open this link: https://tinyurl.com/y62wqcfj
You may also watch:
• https://tinyurl.com/yxkt55aw
3. R.A. 9275 – PHILIPPINE CLEAN 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.
It is stated that the state shall pursue a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent with the protection, preservation,
and revival of the quality of our fresh, brackish, and marine waters. It shall be the state policy to streamline processes and
procedures in the prevention , control abatement of pollution of the country’s water resources, promote environmental
strategies, use of economic instruments and control mechanisms for the protection of water resources, and provide for a
comprehensive management program for water pollution focusing on pollution prevention
Visit https://tinyurl.com/y623uhe8 and https://tinyurl.com/yxkt55aw for further information about ways to reduce water
pollution.
4. R.A. 6969 – TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTES
CONTROL ACT OF 1990
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. And to
prohibit the entry, even in transit, of hazardous and nuclear wastes and their disposal into the
Philippine territorial limits for whatever purpose; and to provide advancement and facilitate
research and studies on toxic chemicals.
For further discussion, you may watch:
• https://tinyurl.com/y9dgu9ul
5. R.A. 9147 – WILDLIFE RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION
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:
1. to conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to promote ecological balance and enhance
biodiversity
2. to regulate the collection and trade of wildlife, to pursue, with due regard to the national interest; and
3. to initiate or support scientific studies on the conservation of biological diversity
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For further discussion about wildlife resources, you may watch:
• https://tinyurl.com/y9dgu9ul
• https://tinyurl.com/y68m8tpe
6. R.A. – 7942 PHILIPPINE MINING ACT OF 1995
It is stated that all mineral resources in public and private lands within the territory and exclusive
economic zone of the Republic of the Philippines are owned by the state.
The responsibility of the state is to promote their rational exploration, development, utilization and
conservation through the combined efforts of the government and private sector in order to enhance
growth in a way that effectively safeguards the environment and protect the rights of affected
communities.
The responsibility of the state is to promote their rational exploration, development, utilization and conservation through the
combined efforts of the government and private sector in order to enhance growth in a way that effectively.
For further discussion about mining, you may watch:
• https://tinyurl.com/y2uyf7fa
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 a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol,
which set targets for the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions.
To meet its national development goals and international commitments, the government established crucial legal and
institutional 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 Philippine Development Plan for 2017-
2022.
For further discussion about Philippines’ initiatives to climate change, you may visit: https://tinyurl.com/yxf27g8w
Open these links to watch videos about Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol:
• https://tinyurl.com/rwhpdv5
• https://tinyurl.com/y3nhgavd
Amidst of the number of environmental laws and initiatives we have in this country to 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 our environment not just
wait for the mandate of the government because our life depends on the state of the environment.
TEST
YOURSELF
Short quiz on Philippine Environmental Laws
Directions: Identify the Environmental Law described. Write
your answers on the space provided.
1. This Act provides for a comprehensive strategy to address
the degradation of our waterbodies. It mandates the Bureau
to formulate and implement policies and strengthen
partnerships with stakeholders to improve water quality in
all parts of the country.
_______________________________
2. It includes the activities and actions required to manage Wondershare
waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes
the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, PDFelement
together with monitoring and regulation of the waste
management process. _______________________________
3. Reduce use of air conditioning and ensure that rooms are
sealed. Make sure that lights are energy-efficient. Use
company vehicles 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 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)
Great job! You can now proceed to the next module.
SUMMARY
Let us see if you can remember the main points raised in this lesson. Below is a summary of these points:
Seven Environmental Principles
• The seven principles of environment are:
1. Nature Knows Best
2. All forms of life are important
3. Everything changes
4. Everything is connected to everything else
5. Everything must go somewhere
6. Ours is a finite earth
7. Nature is beautiful and we are steward of God’s creation
Philippine Environmental Laws:
• Major Philippine Environmental Laws:
1. R.A. 9003 Ecological Waste Management
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2. R.A. 8794 Clean Air Act
3. R.A. 9275 Clean Water Act
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4. R.A. 6969 Toxic Substances And Hazardous And Nuclear Wastes Control Act
5. R.A. 9147 Wildlife Resources Conservation And Protection Act
6. R.A. 7942 Philippine Mining Act
• Kyoto Protocol operationalizes the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by committing
industrialized countries to limit and reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in accordance with agreed individual
targets.
• The rising average temperature of Earth's climate system, called global warming, is driving changes in rainfall patterns,
extreme weather, arrivals of seasons, and more. Collectively, global warming and its effects are known as climate
change.
REFERENCES
Galang AP. 2003. Seven Lenses or Environmental Principles as if Adults Mattered. Makati City, Philippines: The Bookmark,
Inc.
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/yxayew4j
Zafar Salman (2012). Introduction to MRF
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/y2ha6dfh
Alatervo Saara J. (2013) The 6 Rs: Making A Sustainable Impact
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/y4mbcbnt
Seven Environmental Principles of Nature
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/y49lhsbm
R.A. 9003 Ecological Waste Management
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/y27y4ze2
R.A. 8794 Clean Air Act
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/yy2jyfjn
R.A. 9275 Clean Water Act
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/yyxa5m46
R.A. 6969 Toxic Substances And Hazardous And Nuclear Wastes Control Act
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/yxgdmrfj
R.A. 9147 Wildlife Resources Conservation And Protection Act
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/tt5vk9r
R.A. 7942 Philippine Mining Act
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/y65jkz39
Climate Laws and Policies
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/yxf27g8w
Wikipedia.org. Kyoto Protocol
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/clgs486
Wikipedia.org. Climate change
Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/cu6b866
Prepared by:
JOLINA D. CASTILLO
Faculty, College Arts and Sciences
Module 1 – Issues and Early Approaches to Literary Criticism | Page 1 of 9
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