Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT  
CREATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
BUREAU (EPEB) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND 
NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND 
FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines, while vulnerable to natural disasters due to its location 
in the Pacific Ring of Fire, also suffers major human-caused environmental 
degradation worsened by a high annual population growth rate, including loss 
of agricultural lands, deforestation, soil erosion, air and water pollution, 
improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes, loss of coral reefs, 
mismanagement and abuse of coastal resources, and overfishing.1 
Despite being considered as one of the mega-biodiverse countries in the 
world and being home to two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and between 
70% and 80% of the world’s species of flora and fauna, the Philippines and its 
large variety of ecosystems, landscapes and habitats, are heavily threatened 
by 
such 
human 
activities. 
If 
not 
stopped, 
these 
human-induced 
environmental problems will not only cause irreparable damage to the 
environment, but also undeniable harm to our people. 
The Philippine government has come up with a Sustainable 
Development 
Strategy 
that 
includes 
assimilating 
environmental 
1 Trade Union Congress of the Philippines. 2010. “Country Report on Climate Change 
Policies, Green Jobs and Decent Work in the Philippines”. 
August 19, 2021
2:06 pm
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considerations in administration, apposite pricing of natural resources, 
conservation of biodiversity, rehabilitation of ecosystems, control of 
population growth and human resources development, inducing growth in 
rural areas, promotion of environmental education, strengthening citizens’ 
participation, and promoting small to medium-sized enterprises and 
sustainable agricultural and forestry practices. However, these sustainable 
development policies will need better enforcement from the government in 
order to fully realize our commitment to combating climate change and 
promoting both human security and environmental protection. 
This bill seeks to create an Environmental Protection and Enforcement 
Bureau (EPEB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR) to better enforce the Constitutional mandate to protect and advance 
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. It seeks to 
strengthen the implementation of environmental laws and regulations in 
order to truly preserve our uniquely rich biodiversity. This proposed 
legislation shall defend our rangers, prevent the theft of resources, preserve 
our forests, and improve our ecosystem and living conditions. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
ALFRED VARGAS 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT  
CREATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
BUREAU (EPEB) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND 
NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND 
FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Environmental 
Protection and Enforcement Bureau Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to: 
(a) Maintain an effective, competent, modern current and highly trained
enforcement body to address violations of environment and natural
resources laws, rules, and regulations in order to protect and advance
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature;
(b) Strengthen and professionalize environment and natural resources
protection and law enforcement with appropriate structure, science and
technology, manpower, and capability;
(c) Formulate plans and programs relative to environment and natural
resources protection to enhance and modernize capacities to address
all 
types 
of 
environmental 
crimes, 
including 
transitional/
transboundary violations, taking cognizance of the worsening global
environmental situation;
(d) Promote shared duties and responsibilities, and capacitate other law
enforcement agencies and local government units on environmental law
enforcement; and
(e) Ensure fair, swift, and certain enforcement of environmental laws.
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms 
and phrases shall mean as follows: 
(a) Abatement – refers to a legal document issued by the Bureau, its 
officers, and enforcers, ordering the suspension or cessation, in whole 
or in part, or removal of a problem or nuisances, which is against 
environment and natural resources laws committed in prohibited areas, 
and/or other public areas, where such act is prohibited. 
(b) Bureau – refers to the Environmental Protection and Enforcement 
Bureau. 
(c) Cease and Desist Order (CDO) – refers to an order duly issued by the 
Secretary or the Bureau directing or enjoining any person, business or 
organization, or government agency, to stop or continue doing an act 
considered harmful or illegal and/or in order to protect, preserve or 
rehabilitate the environment. A CDO may be permanent, for specified 
period of time, or until a final administrative or judicial determination 
of its legality occurs. 
(d) Confiscation – refers to the act of taking in favor of the government, real 
or personal property, from a person without payment or compensation 
in an administrative proceeding. 
(e) Custody – refers to temporary holding or safekeeping of any evidence 
obtained or seized in an enforcement operation conducted by, or with 
the participation of the Bureau, while a case is pending before any 
administrative body or the courts. 
(f) Department – refers to the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR). 
(g) Emergency – as used in this Act emergency occurs when there is a 
demonstrated Impending threat to human life, biodiversity, or 
irreparable damage to the integrity and stability of the ecosystem. 
(h) Enforcement areas – refers to any geographic area in Philippines where 
priority enforcement response is needed. 
(i) Forensic – refers to the application scientific methods of analyzing 
evidence and samples for purposes of criminal, civil, or administrative 
procedure. 
(j) Impoundment – the taking into custody of private property, such as a 
vehicle, facility or implements, by government action with custody 
documentation pending the outcome of a criminal prosecution under 
this Act. 
(k) Prohibited area – refers to areas explicitly prohibited or deemed by law 
to be free from human habitation or interference such as, but not 
limited to, water easements, areas identified as geo-hazard zones, or in 
any other prohibited zones within protected areas including strict 
protection zones, multiple use zones, and buffer zones, or areas 
designated under disaster risk reduction and management plan of 
LGUs as hazard prone areas. 
(l) Regulated community – refers to all persons, businesses or 
organizations, or government agencies or instrumentalities of the 
government 
who 
use, 
utilization, 
exploitation, 
development, 
management, conservation and protection of environment and natural 
resources are governed under the administrative authority of the 


Department. 
(m) 
Secretary – refers to the Secretary of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 
(n) Seizure – as used in this Act, seizure refers to the taking by enforcement 
officers of potential evidence from a person who is suspected of violating 
environmental laws, rules, and regulation. Seizure of evidence may be 
done buy virtue of a search warrant, or on the occasion of a warrantless 
arrest or warrantless search. 
(o) Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) – as used in this 
Act the defense of SLAPP shall be available to Bureau enforcers and 
those they have deputized, complainants, and witnesses. This remedy 
is available even during preliminary investigation and relevant 
administrative cases. The Bureau shall provide sufficient assistance for 
those enforcers, deputies, complainants, and witnesses charged with 
SLAPP suits. 
(p) Transnational or transboundary violations – refers to a continuing 
offense in contravention of both environmental laws and International 
treaties and conventions on environment to which the Philippine is a 
signatory. An act is deemed a continuing offense when the act may be 
prosecuted and tried not only in the court or administrative bodies of 
the place where it began, but also in the court or administrative bodies 
if the place where part of the offense was continued or consummated. 
(q) Wildlife Trafficking – refers to transportation and/or transshipment of 
wildlife, wildlife by-products or derivatives, from, to, or through the 
Philippines. 
SECTION 4. Creation. – There is hereby created the Environmental 
Protection and Enforcement Bureau (EPEB) which shall be a uniformed 
service and a line agency under the Department. This Act shall transfer and 
consolidate all enforcement functions performed by different Bureaus and 
attached agencies of the Department and those that may be created hereafter. 
The Bureau shall exercise concurrent enforcement authority with agencies 
having jurisdiction under other laws. 
SECTION 5. Jurisdiction. – The Bureau shall carry out environmental law 
enforcement functions in the entire Philippine archipelago including air 
space, territorial waters, exclusive economic zones, continental shelf, and 
other areas where the Philippines exercises sovereignty and sovereign rights, 
or jurisdiction, in accordance with Philippine and International laws. It shall 
be under the control and supervision of the Secretary. 
SECTION 6. Powers and Functions. – The Bureau has the power and 
authority to: 
(a) Enforce, interdict ongoing violations, arrest. Investigate, and prosecute 
all violations of environmental and natural resources laws, rules, and 
regulations, including those over which other agencies exercise 


jurisdiction; 
(b) Take custody of all seized and confiscated items, implements, 
conveyances, tools, and equipment; 
(c) Initiate the filing of appropriate cases and/or proceedings; 
(d) File the appropriate cases in court in consultation with the National 
Prosecution Service when necessary, and in coordination with the Office 
of the Ombudsman in cases involving government officials and 
employees; 
(e) Executive decisions and dispose of confiscated items in administrative 
cases pertaining to environment and natural resources violations, and 
in court cases as may be directed by the court; 
(f) Call on the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police 
(PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of 
Investigation (NBI), other government law enforcement agencies. 
Including government-owned and/or controlled corporations, to aid in 
the enforcement of laws against environmental crimes; 
(g) Conduct intelligence operations and forensics Investigation in the 
furtherance of the foregoing powers and functions; 
(h) Issue subpoena for the appearance of any person for investigation or 
production of any documents, through its officers from the ranks of 
Director-General, 
Deputy 
Director, 
Directors 
for 
Enforcement, 
Investigation and/or Legal Services, and Regional Director, and cite in 
contempt any person who violates or disobeys orders and processes 
daily issued by the Bureau; 
(i) Accept In the name of the Philippine Government, funds or financial 
assistance for immediate disbursements or other property in the 
interest of, or as may be necessary to carry out its functions, and which 
shall be properly allocated and utilized directly and exclusively for 
Environmental Protection and enforcement; 
(j) Establish and maintain coordination mechanisms with other law 
enforcement agencies locally and internationally; 
(k) Develop enforcement systems and strategies based on best practices 
and using the most advanced and reliable technologies; 
(l) Impose administrative fines/citations for in-flagrante violations of 
environment and natural resources laws, rules, and regulations 
pursuant to schedule of fines to be issued by the Office of the Secretary; 
(m) 
Maintain database of all relevant information such as, but not 
limited to, environmental cases, environmental-related incidents, 
permittees, licensees, park and forest occupants, tenured migrants, 
and scientific research data and information; 
(n) Issue and implement Cease and Desist Order, Closure Order, Notice of 
Violation and Abatement Order in the exercise of its administrative 
powers pursuant to pertinent rules and regulations issued by the 


Department; 
(o) Formulate and implement policies, guidelines, and programs necessary 
to effectively carry out its mandate; and 
(p) Perform other related functions as the Secretary of the Department may 
assign. Nothing herein shall prevent other law enforcement agencies 
from exercising jurisdiction over violations of environmental laws, rules, 
and regulations. Provided that, once the Bureau takes cognizance of the 
aforementioned violations, the Bureau shall take the lead and other law 
enforcement agencies shall collaborate and render assistance. 
SECTION 7. Organizational Structure. – The Bureau shall be organized 
into the Office of the Director-General, Deputy Director-Generals for 
Operations and for Administration, Division Chiefs for Enforcement, 
Investigation and Legal, Finance and Logistics, Administrative and Human 
Resource, Planning and Knowledge Information Service, and Forensic 
Laboratory. Each service shall be composed of the necessary divisions and 
sections. The Bureau shall establish regional offices composed of district 
offices to cover designated enforcement areas. Field units may be established 
as needed to work with the PENR and/or CENR offices, or clusters thereof. 
 
The Bureau’s personnel and their respective positions and rank shall 
have appropriate staffing complement, as follows: 
Job Title 
Career Level 
Salary Grade 
Director General 
Director VI 
SG 30 
Deputy Director 
General for   
Operations 
Director V 
SG 29 
Deputy Director 
General for 
Administration 
Director V 
SG 29 
Regional Director 
Director III 
SG 27 
Chief for Enforcement 
Division 
Director I 
SG 25 
Chief for Investigation 
and Legal Division 
Director I 
SG 25 
Chief for Finance and 
Logistics Division 
Director I 
SG 25 
Chief for 
Administrative and 
Human Resource 
Division 
Director I 
SG 25 
Chief for Planning and 
Director I 
SG 25 


Knowledge Information 
Division 
Director for Forensic 
Laboratory 
Director I 
SG 25 
Regional Legal Division 
Chief 
Attorney V 
SG 25 
Supervising 
Environmental 
Prosecutor 
Attorney IV 
SG 23 
Environmental 
Prosecutor 
Attorney III 
SG 21 
Regional Enforcement 
Division Chief 
Division Chief 
SG 24 
Regional Management 
Division chief 
Division Chief 
SG 24 
Supervising 
Enforcement Officer 
Senior Officer V 
SG 22 
Enforcement Officer IV 
Officer IV 
SG 19 
Enforcement Officer III 
Officer III 
SG 16 
Enforcement Officer II 
Officer II 
SG 13 
Enforcement Officer I 
Officer I 
SG 11 
Ranger Technician 
Ranger III 
SG 9 
Ranger 
Ranger II 
SG 7 
Ranger 
Ranger I 
SG 5 
SECTION 8. Forensic Laboratory. – The Bureau shall establish and 
maintain an up-to-date forensic laboratory to be headed by a Director and 
supported by as many sections as may be deemed necessary, which may 
include chemical and toxicology, genetics, criminalistics, veterinary, 
morphology, and digital. The Forensic Laboratory may be composed of the 
following staffing complement: 
Job Title 
Career Level 
Salary Grade 
Director for Forensic 
Laboratory 
Director I 
SG 25 
Section Chief on 
Chemistry and 
Toxicology 
Section Chief 
SG 22 
Section Chief on 
Genetics and Forensic 
Biology 
Section Chief 
SG 22 
Section Chief on 
Section Chief 
SG 22 


Criminalistics 
Section Chief on 
Veterinary 
Section Chief 
SG 22 
Section Chief on 
Taxonomy and 
Morphology 
Section Chief 
SG 22 
Section Chief on 
Geology 
Section Chief 
SG 22 
Senior Computer 
Programmer and 
Information Technology 
Officer 
ENRE Officer IV 
SG 19 
Analyst III 
ENRE Officer III 
SG 16 
Analyst II 
ENRE Officer II 
SG 13 
Analyst I 
ENRE Officer I 
SG 11 
SECTION 9. Environmental and Natural Resources Law Enforcement 
Academy. – The DENR shall establish an Environmental and Natural 
Resources Law Enforcement Academy which shall be responsible for the 
recruitment, development, and conduct of basic and advanced-level 
environmental law enforcing training course, and continuing skills 
enhancement of all Bureau enforcers and personnel. The Academy shall 
provide other Philippine law enforcement agencies and institutions high-
quality standardized trainings on environmental law enforcement. Including 
local governments. 
SECTION 10. Powers and Functions of the Director General. – The 
Director General shall have access to all official records of the Government 
and the regulated communities of the Department in the furtherance of 
his/her duties and responsibilities, and shall perform the following powers 
and functions: 
(a) Direct, control and administer the operations of the Bureau, and deploy 
any of its officials and operatives for missions; 
(b) Formulate policies, guidelines, programs and projects to implement this 
law and recommend policies that would enable the Bureau to take 
additional necessary measures in exercising its powers; 
(c) Develop a system and allocate funds for informant’s rewards and 
whistleblower protection; 
(d) Recommend and/or direct appropriate agencies to effect emergency 
containment and remediation measures in relation to violations of 
environment and natural resources laws, rules, and regulations; 
(e) Initiate and strategize training and deputation of environmental law 


enforcement officers and, whenever practicable their consolidation and 
organization in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations; 
(f) Designate and/or authorize the use informants for investigative 
purposes including the hiring of consultants, subject to pertinent laws, 
rules and regulations, as may be required; 
(g) Issue mission orders and permits to carry duly-issued agency firearms 
of its organic personnel or other duly deputized officers who are 
conducting or assisting in investigation and enforcement operations; 
(h) Ensure 
proper 
inventory, 
identification 
and 
impoundment 
of 
confiscated and/or forfeited objects, implements and conveyances; 
(i) Create and/or abolish divisions/units and positions within the Bureau 
that may be required for the expeditious, effective, and efficient 
discharge of its duties and responsibilities; and remove, suspend, or 
otherwise discipline Bureau officials, enforcers and personnel for 
causes provided under the Civil Service Rules and Regulations and 
other pertinent laws, rules and regulations, subject to the approval by 
the secretary; and 
(j)  Perform other acts that are necessary, proper, or incidental to the 
performance of his duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by 
the Secretary. 
SECTION 11. Powers and Functions of Bureau Officers and Enforcers. – 
The members of the Bureau shall be peace officers, and as law enforcers, shall 
have the following additional powers and functions: 
(a) To detect, interdict, and investigate any environmental violations 
and to make arrests, searches and seizures in accordance with 
existing laws, rules and regulations; 
(b) To seize and Initiate confiscation proceedings for prohibited items 
including objects, implements, and conveyances used in the 
violation of environmental law, as provided for by applicable laws, 
rules and regulations, and to inventory said items; 
(c) To take and require sworn affidavits of person or persons summoned 
in connection with cases under investigation and to administer 
oaths in cases under Investigation, subject to limitations imposed 
by the Constitution and laws, rules and regulations; 
(d) To carry suitable and adequate agency-issued firearms for 
enforcement operations and personal security; 
(e) To have access to all official records of the Government and the 
regulated community, where such records relate to their official 
functions under this law; and 
(f) To perform such other functions as may be assigned by the 
Bureau. 
 
SECTION 12. Benefits and Privileges. – The Bureau shall provide its 


personnel with the following benefits: 
(a) Health care services or insurance for all its regular personnel; 
(b) Accident insurance for all its employees and deputized officers; 
(c) Hazard pay, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; and 
(d) Access to a legal assistance and support fund. 
SECTION 13. Inter-agency Environmental Enforcement Coordination. – 
The Bureau shall establish and maintain close coordination, cooperation and 
linkages with national and international coordinative bodies, multi-lateral 
agencies, and organizations that address environmental crimes. 
SECTION 14. Stakeholder’s Engagement/Peoples’ Participation. – Active 
and direct participation of national government agencies (NGAs), local 
government units (LGUs), academe, media, people's organization (POs), non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), including the citizenry, shall be 
encouraged. The Bureau shall take measures to ensure responsiveness and 
feedback mechanisms for maximum participation, engagement, and 
transparency. 
SECTION 15. Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). – 
The defense of SLAPP as defined by existing laws shall be available to Bureau 
enforcers and those they have deputized, complainants, and witnesses. This 
remedy is available even during preliminary Investigation and relevant 
administrative cases. The Bureau shall provide sufficient assistance for those 
enforcers, deputies, complainants, and witnesses charged with SLAPP suits. 
The Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases shall govern the 
procedure in civil, criminal, and special civil actions involving the enforcement 
or violations of this Act, including actions treated as a SLAPP as provided in 
this section. 
SECTION 16. Prohibition on the Issuance of Temporary Restraining 
Orders, 
Preliminary 
Injunctions, 
and 
Preliminary 
Mandatory 
Injunctions. – No court, other than the Supreme Court, shall issue injunction 
or restraining order against the Department and Bureau in the lawful 
enforcement of environmental and natural resources laws. 
SECTION 17. Assaults against Environment and Natural Resources 
Enforcement Officers and Deputies. – Any person, and persons whether 
natural or juridical, who, shall attack, employ force, or seriously Intimidates 
any environment and natural resources enforcement officer or his deputies, 
while engaged in the performance of official duties, or on the occasion of the 
performance of such duties shall be charged with direct assault under the 
Revised Penal Code. 


 
The penalties of indirect assault as defined under the Revised Penal 
Code shall be imposed upon any person coming to the aid of the environment 
and natural resources enforcement officer or his deputy in the enforcement of 
his duties. 
SECTION 18. Administrative Adjudication. – The Secretary is authorized 
to organize and standardize administrative adjudication mechanisms to 
impose fines and other penalties provided for under existing laws, rules, and 
regulations and cause the issuance of procedural rules and regulations as 
may be appropriate. 
SECTION 19. Power to Issue Cease and Desist Orders and to Summarily 
Abate Without the Necessity of Judicial Order. – The Bureau may, subject 
to the requirements of administrative due process, issue cease and desist 
order/s, and to summarily eject any person and/or issue abatement order, 
removal, dismantling, or demolition of any illegal structures from a prohibited 
area, without the necessity of judicial order. 
Provided, that in cases of emergency, the Bureau may order the 
immediate exit or departure of the offender from the prohibited area. The 
Bureau may call on other enforcement agencies to assist in executing the 
order to vacate. 
SECTION 20. Authority of the Director-General of the Bureau or the Duly 
Authorized Representative to Issue Notice of Violation and Seizure 
Order. – In all cases of violations of environmental laws, rules and 
regulations, the Director-General, or his duly authorized representative, may, 
in appropriate cases, issue notices of violation and order the seizure of any 
property subject of the offense. Including conveyances, implements, tools and 
equipment used in the commission of the offense. 
SECTION 21. Funding Source and Appropriation. – The funds required for 
the implementation of this Act shall be taken from the General Appropriations 
Act (GAA) and may be augmented from the following: 
(a) Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF); 
(b) Environmental and user fees; 
(c) EPIRA 
(d) Road users' tax; and 
(e) Administrative fines and penalties. 
 
 
Provided, that, all funds collected shall be pooled together as a single 
account that will cover all operational expenses. 


SECTION 22. Transitory Provisions. – All unexpended appropriations, real 
and personal properties, documents, records, and other papers related to 
enforcement which are kept and/or managed by enforcement divisions, 
sections and units of the Department and attached agencies shall be 
transferred to the Bureau. 
All incumbent officials and personnel currently assigned and/or 
designated at the regional enforcement divisions, PENR enforcement sections, 
or CENR enforcement units who have undergone the mandatory training on 
enforcement as provided under this Act may continue to serve as an officer or 
enforcer of the Bureau or choose to be reassigned in nonenforcement offices 
or Bureaus of the Department. 
All incumbent enforcement officials, enforcers and personnel of the 
Department, Bureaus, and attached agencies who have undergone the 
mandatory training on enforcement as provided under this Act may serve as 
officer or enforcer of the Bureau or choose to be reassigned in nonenforcement 
functions or offices of the said agencies. 
All Incumbent enforcement officials, enforcers, and personnel of the 
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and BARMM shall be 
trained under the Bureau as part of the one-system approach. 
SECTION 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department, in 
consultation with concerned government agencies and stakeholders, shall 
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, within six (6) 
months from the effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 24. Separability Clause. – If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or Invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected 
shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 25. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders and 
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are Inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 26. Effectivity Clause. – Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the 
implementing rules and regulations, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication In the Official Gazette or In at least two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,