FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN~IE... 
S.No. 
Ib2 
'11 
MAR 17 P2 :30 
HE~.· El" I.::;) klY; 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORYNDTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 16 provides: . 
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. 
Global warming is now almost unanimously ~ccepted as a serious problem that is 
attributable to humans - primarily through tile use of fossil fuels - and that demands concrete 
remedial action as soon as possible. History has shown that in the past, events like the temporary 
boycott by some of the major petroleum producers in the 1970s highlighted that countries have a 
national security problem related to both price and availability of one of our main energy 
sources. The problems of protecting the environment and conserving energy are both inescapable 
, 
and of a pressing nature. 
Over the decades, there has not been a dearth of ideas on how to advance our "right to a 
balanced and healthful ecology." Earth Day, for example, was first celebrated on 22 April 1970 
in the United States. It is now observed in more than 175 countries annually. It is meant to 
inspire awareness and appreciation of our environment; Experience has shown, however, that 
one day in a year is not enough to sustain a culture of environmentalism. The monthly reminder 
and push that this bill provides will guarantee a sustained response to the challenges posed by 
scarce resources and global warming. 
This bill will require the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the 
Department of Education, along with other stakeholders, to provide information, coordination, 
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and support services to public and private entities in ensuring a systematic and lasting effort of 
protecting the environment. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN~E.!r.' " 
S. No, 
4~ "1 i) 2 
--------, 
'1! 
MAR 17 P2:30 
[)(,-> "T'~~ ","!~ e,,"., 
llj..£'U 
I"t\,~,q ~-)t' 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santuigo -, . ." -
, 
AN ACT DECLARING THE FIRST DAY 
OF EVERY MONTH AS EARTH CONSCIOUSNESS DAY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Monthly Observance bf Earth 
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Consciousness Day Act of2011." 
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SECTION 2, Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to afford full protection 
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and the advancement of the right of the people to a healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm 
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and harmony of nature. In this light, the State has adopted the Philippine Agenda 21 framework 
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which espouses sustainable development to fulfill human needs while maintaining the quality of 
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the natural environment for current and future generations. 
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As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the State 
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adopts the ultimate objective of the Convention which is the stabilization of greenhouse gas 
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concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that w~nld prevent dangerous anthropogenic 
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interference with the climate system which should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to 
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allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not 
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threatened, and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. 
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SECTION 3. Special Working Holiday. - In recognition of the need to establish a 
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comprehensive and lasting national consciousness of protecting the environment, the first day of 
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every month is hereby declared as a special working holiday to be known as "Earth 
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Consciousness Day", 
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SECTION 4. Activities that shall be Undertaken in Observance of this Occasion. -
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(a) 
Heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned and 
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controlled corporatiOl.1S, local government units, and employers in the private sector shall, 
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together with their employees, organize, engage, or participate in activities designed to raise 
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public awareness on protecting the environment. 
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(b) 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the 
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Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination' with nongovernmental organizations 
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(NGOs), shall lead public and private school communities in organizing consciousness-raising 
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activities on the need to protect the environment. Each primary and secondary school shall plant 
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at least one (1) seedling every first day of the month in observance of Earth Consciousness Day. 
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They shaH also emphasize the need to conserve energy and shall disseminate ways to lower 
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everyone's energy consumption. 
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SECTION 5. Rules. - The Secretary of Environment and the Secretary of Education 
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shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, jointly promulgate rules and 
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regulations to carry out and enforce the provisions ofthis Act. 
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SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necfOssary [or the initial implementation of 
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this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DENR and the DepEd. Thereafter, 
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such sum as may be necessary for its full implementation shall be inclnded in the annual General 
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Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provi~ion not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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