There are various laws in the Philippines in

place to safeguard the 

environment. Some of these laws protect wildlife

(RA 9175, Wildlife Resources Conservation and 

Protection Act), some mitigates the waste 

management of the country (RA 9003, Ecological 

Solid Waste Management). There are even laws to 

monitor the mining practices(RA 7942, Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and laws to preserve the tree

of life(RA 8048, Coconut Preservation Act of 1995).

Out of almost 60 environmental laws existing in my country, one of my favorites would have to be the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749). Article 1, Section 2 states that 'the State shall protect and advance the right of people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.' It also says that 'the State recognizes that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should, therefore, be the concern of all.' 

I love that this law started as something 

inclusive, it recognizes not just the pollutants

of the air but also the need and the call

for every stakeholder to do something

about it as it benefits everyone.

Although the Philippines is the center of

biodiversity, it is also the center of adversity.

Environmental degradation is not only apparent

but fast pacing. More and more of the islands are too far gone to even be

salvaged back into it?s natural state. 

In the end it is not about what laws are in place

but how we monitor and implement it. In a world 

full of economic advances in expense of

our environment, the laws of nature will

decide what?s to come and when abused, 

most times the laws and consequences of nature aren't pretty.