MARINE POLLUTION
DECREE OF 1976
Presidential Decree No. 979
The Marine Pollution
Decree of 1976
(Presidential Decree
No.979) was introduced to
regulate and prevent the
dumping of pollutants into
Philippine waters. It
established penalties for
activities that created
marine pollution, such as
oil spills and dumping of
toxic chemicals.
Section 1. Title
This Decree shall be known as the Marine Pollution Decree
of 1976.
Section 2. Statement of Policy.
It is hereby declared a national policy to prevent and control
the pollution of seas by the dumping of wastes and other
matter which create hazards to human health, harm living
resources and marine life, damage amenities, or interfere
with the legitimate uses of the sea within the territorial
jurisdiction of the Philippines.
Section 3. Definition of Terms
• Discharge
• Dumping
• Oil
• Navigable Waters
• Vessel
• Person
• Refuse
Section 4. Prohibited Acts
Except in cases of emergency imperiling life or property, or
unavoidable accident, collision, or stranding or in any cases which
constitute danger to human life or property or a real threat to vessels,
aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structure, or if damping appears
to be the only way of averting the threat and if there is probability that
the damage consequent upon such dumping will be lees than would
otherwise occur, and except as otherwise permitted by regulations
prescribed by the National Pollution Control Commission or the
Philippine Coast Guard, it shall be unlawful for any person to
• discharge, dump or suffer, permit the discharge of oil, noxious gaseous and liquid
substances and other harmful substances from or out of any ship, vessel, barge, or
any other floating craft, or other man-made structures at sea, by any method, means
or manner, into or upon the territorial and inland navigable waters of the Philippine
• throw, discharge or deposit, dump, or cause suffer or procure to be thrown,
discharged, or deposited either from or out of any ship, barge, or other floating craft
of vessel of any kind, or from the shore, wharf, manufacturing establishment, or
mill of any kind, any refuse matter of any kind or description whatever other than
that flowing from streets and sewers and passing therefrom in a liquid state into
tributary of any navigable water from which the same shall float or be washed into
such navigable water; and
• deposit or cause, suffer or procure to be deposited material of
any kind in any place on the bank of any navigable water or on
the bank of any tributary of any navigable water, where the
same shall be liable to be washed into such navigable water,
either by ordinary or high tides, or by storms or floods, or
otherwise, whereby navigation shall or may be impeded or
obstructed or increased the level of pollution of such water
Section 5
It shall be the primary responsibility of the National Pollution
Control Commission to promulgate national rules and policies
governing marine pollution, including but not limited to the
discharge of effluents from any outfall structure, industrial and
manufacturing establishments or mill of any kind to the extent
that it is regulated under the provisions of Republic Act
Numbered Three Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-One, and to
issue the appropriate rules and regulations upon consultation with
the Philippine Coast Guard.
Section 6. Enforcement and Implementation.
The Philippine Coast Guard shall have the primary responsibility of
enforcing the laws, rules and regulations governing marine pollution.
However, it shall be the joint responsibility of the Philippine Coast Guard
and the National Pollution Control Commission to coordinate and
cooperate with each other in the enforcement of the provisions of this
decree and its implementing rules and regulations, and may call upon any
other government office, instrumentality or agency to extend every
assistance in this respect.
Section 7. Penalties for Violations.
Any person who violates Section 4 of this Decree or any
regulations prescribed in pursuance thereof, shall be liable for a
fine of not less than Two Hundred Pesos nor more than Ten
Thousand Pesos or by imprisonment of not less than thirty days
nor more than one year or both such fine and imprisonment, for
each offense, without prejudice to the civil liability of the
offender in accordance with existing laws.
Section 8. Containment Recovery System
The Philippine Coast Guard shall develop an adequate capability for
containment and recovery of spilled oil for inland waters and high seas use.
An initial amount of five (5) million pesos is hereby appropriated for the
procurement of necessary equipment for this purpose. For the succeeding
fiscal years, the appropriation for the development of such capability shall
be included in the Philippine Coast Guard portion of the General
Appropriation Decree.
Section 9. Repealing Clause.
All laws, rules and regulations inconsistent with this decree are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 10. Effectivity.
This Decree shall take effect immediately.
END OF THE
SLIDES
Thank You!!!
