SC bares rules of procedure for environment-related cases

CEBU, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has finally released Tuesday the rules of procedure on environmental cases which shall form bases for the prosecution of cases involving the environment protection and preservation. Environmental lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos said that the rules of procedure on environmental cases will help usher in an era of stewardship and nurturing nature.

“It’s much needed. This will change the culture of impunity and hopefully because of government agencies, we instill a mindset to protect our environment,” she said.

She said that in Cebu alone, their group will be coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural resources and Department of Energy to find ways in preservation of the environment.

Estenzo-Ramos is active in Legal Action on Climate Change (GLACC), an alliance of stakeholders promoting empowerment of the people and a culture of compliance with our laws, and Visayan Climate Action Network, which aims to empower communities in responding to climate change.

She said that Chief Justice Reynato Puno has been instrumental in passing and approving of the said procedures.

Moreover, Puno said that the newly-approved law will be a move to push for reforms in the judiciary that would help strike a balance ecological concerns vis-a-vis economic development and to strike the proper balance between the need to encourage citizen’s suit and the danger that unregulated citizen’s suit may bring about nuisance cases.

The SC had earlier identified the pending environmental cases as those involving violations of the laws on mining, forestry, marine, fisheries, wildlife, waste management, toxic substances, and hazardous waste.

Among the laws that were passed for the protection of environment are the Revised Forestry Code (Presidential Decree 705), Marine Pollution (PD 979), Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste Act (Republic Act 6969), People’s Small-Scale Mining Act (RA 7076), National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (RA 7586), Philippine Mining Act (RA 7942), Indigenous People’s Rights Act (RA 8371), Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550); Clean Air Act (RA 8749), Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), National Caves and Cave Resources Management Act (RA 9072), Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147), Chainsaw Act (RA 9175), and Clean Water Act (RA 9275).   (FREEMAN NEWS)