FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
2rd. Regular Session )

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No. 438 2

Introduced by: MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID
4 District, City of Manila

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Despite the passage of several critical environmental laws like
the Solid Waste Management Act, the Clean Air Act, the National
Integrated Protected Areas System Act, and the Clean Water Act, there
seems to be a lack of awareness among the Filipinos especially the
youth regarding the state of our environment and the much needed
protection thereof as embodied in these laws.

This Bill seeks to create awareness on the plight of our
environment and what needs to be done to improve on its protection
like waste segregation, recycling, forest conservation and
management, clean emissions, clean water discharge, and marine
conservation. This Bill likewise seeks to include environmental
education as part of the curriculum in the Elementary and High
School as well as part of National Service Training Program for college
and vocational courses.

For these reasons, approval of this Bill is urgently sought.

MA. wm ee -DAVID

4th District, City of Manila


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No. _4882

Introduced by: MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID
4% District, City of Manila

AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND

PRESCRIBING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TO ELEMENTARY
AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in

Congress of the Philippines assembled:

Section 1. - Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Environmental
Awareness and Education Act of 2006.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is mandate of the Philippine
Constitution 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” (Article 11, Section 16).

Section 3. - Definition of Terms. —

a
b.

iC,

”"CHED” shall mean the Commission on Higher Education
“DepEd” shall mean the Department of Education.

“DENR” shall mean the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources.

. “Elementary” shall mean Primary Education as defined in the

Education Act of 1982.

. “Environmental Education Curriculum” shall mean the courses or

subjects offered in Elementary and High School primarily dealing
with the students’ awareness of the protection and conservation of
the environment including waste segregation and recycling.


f. “High School” shall mean Secondary Education as defined in the
Education Act of 1982.

g. “TESDA” shall mean Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority.

Section 4. Infer-Agency and Multi-Sectoral Effort. - The DENR shall lead
in the implementation of the comprehensive public education and
awareness program on environmental protection and conservation
through collaborative inter-agency and multi-sectoral effort at all levels.

Section 5. Environmental Education in Elementary and High School. -
The DepEd shall formulate the Environmental Education Curriculum, in
coordination with the DENR, to be taught in Elementary and High
School.

Section 6. Environmental Education and Activities as Part of National
Service Training Program. - The CHED and TESDA shall include
environmental education and awareness programs and activities in the
National Service Training Program under Republic Act No. 9163, as part
of the Civic Welfare Training Service component required for all
Baccalaureate degree courses and vocational courses with a curriculum
of at least two years, such as, but not limited to the following: tree
planting activities; recycling and composting programs; Marine
Conservation Programs; Forest Management and Conservation; and
other such programs to aid the implementation of the different
environmental protection laws.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or
regulation contrary to or is inconsistent with the provision of this Act is
hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.