WHAT IS GREEN CRIMINOLOGY?
- new science of environmental crime investigation
- to determine who are the perpetrators of environmental destructions,
their extent of liabilities and
- the community's action towards these perpetrators.
INCLUDES:
Environmental Harm – It extends the traditional concept of crime to
include not just illegal actions but also harmful activities that may be legal
but environmentally damaging.
Ecological Justice – Green criminology advocates for the protection of the
environment and nonhuman species, emphasizing the need for a justice
framework that addresses environmental harms and promotes sustainability.
Corporate and State Crime – Often, green criminology critiques how
corporations and states are complicit in or actively contribute to
environmental destruction through practices like resource extraction,
industrial pollution, and failure to enforce environmental laws.
Global and Local Perspectives – It emphasizes both global environmental
issues, like climate change, and local environmental harms, like illegal
logging, poaching, or waste dumping.
Environmental Regulation and Policy – This includes examining the
effectiveness of environmental laws and regulations, enforcement
challenges, and the role of governmental and non-governmental
organizations in addressing environmental crime.
TOP 5 ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES IN THE PHILIPPINES
1. ILLEGAL LOGGING
Effects: Deforestation and Loss of Biodiversity, Climate Change
Challenges: - remote areas, making it difficult to monitor and enforce
laws.
- weak local governance
2. ILLEGAL MINING
Effects: Deforestation and Habitat Destruction; Water Contamination;
Soil Erosion; Human Health Risk
3. WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING
- The Philippines is home to some of the world’s most endangered
species, such as the Philippine eagle, tamaraw, and sea turtles, but
illegal wildlife trafficking remains a major threat.
Effects: Loss of Biodiversity
Challenges: traffickers using sophisticated methods to move animals
across borders. ; There is a lack of awareness
4. Water Pollution
5. PLASTIC POLLUTION
Republic Act No. 8749: THE PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
The State shall pursue a policy of balancing development and
environmental protection.
Recognition of Rights:
- The right to breathe clean air;
- The right to utilize and enjoy all natural resources according to the
principles of sustainable development;
- The right to participate in the formulation, planning, implementation
and monitoring of environmental policies and programs and in the
decision-making process;
- The right to participate in the decision-making process concerning
development policies, plans and programs projects or activities that
may have adverse impact on the environment and public health;
- The right to be informed of the nature and extent of the potential
hazard of any activity, undertaking or project and to be served timely
notice of any significant rise in the level of pollution and the accidental
or deliberate release into the atmosphere of harmful or hazardous
substances;
- The right of access to public records which a citizen may need to
exercise his or her rights effectively under this Act;
- The right to bring action in court or quasi-judicial bodies to enjoin all
activities in violation of environmental laws and regulations, to compel
the rehabilitation and cleanup of affected area, and to seek the
imposition of penal sanctions against violators of environmental laws;
and
- The right to bring action in court for compensation of personal
damages resulting from the adverse environmental and public health
impact of a project or activity.
SALIENT FEATURES OF RA 8749
1. Comprehensive Air Quality Management
Establishes an integrated air quality improvement framework
focused on pollution prevention rather than control.
Promotes multi-stakeholder involvement—including national
government, local government units (LGUs), NGOs, and the private
sector.
2. Creation of a Multi-Sectoral Governing Body
Establishes the Air Quality Management Fund to support programs
and projects.
Establishes the Air Quality Management Board (AQMB) in every
LGU to oversee implementation at the local level.
3. Emission Standards and Pollution Control
Sets national ambient air quality guidelines and emission
standards for stationary (factories, power plants) and mobile
(vehicles) sources.
Introduces pollution control devices and technologies in industries
and vehicles.
4. Regulation of Motor Vehicle Emissions
Implements a Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) to ensure
vehicle compliance with emission standards.
Mandates the use of cleaner fuels and encourages the phase-out of
leaded gasoline and other harmful fuels.
5. Ban on Incineration
Prohibits incineration of municipal, biomedical, and hazardous waste
which emits toxic and poisonous fumes.
Encourages non-burn technologies and waste-to-energy
alternatives.
6. Citizen’s Right to Clean Air
Empowers citizens to report and take legal action against activities
that violate the Act.
Promotes public information and education campaigns on air
quality and pollution prevention.
7. Monitoring and Enforcement
DENR is tasked with air quality monitoring and enforcement of the
Act.
Creation of airsheds, or geographic areas with similar air quality
characteristics, for more effective management.
8. Environmental Education and Public Participation
Mandates inclusion of environmental education in school curricula.
Supports community-based initiatives and encourages public
involvement in decision-making.
RA 9275- PHILIPPINE CLEAN WATER ACT
Why the need for the Clean Water Act?
- As early as 1996, monitoring of the country's rivers showed that only
51% of the classified rivers still met the standards for their most
beneficial use.
What are the prohibited acts under R.A. 9275?
a. Discharging or depositing any water pollutant to the water body, or such
which will impede natural flow in the water body,
b. 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
c. Disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea by vessels
d. Unauthorized transport or dumping into waters of sewage sludge or solid
waste.
e. Transport, dumping or discharge of prohibited Chemicals, substances or
pollutants listed under Toxic Chemicals, Hazardous and Nuclear
