FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
7 
/' 
- /  
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish rivers, river systems, beaches and waterways 
as ecological zones. One of the most critical ecological problems of the country is 
the environmental degradation of rivers and waterways. The damage to rivers 
and waterways has not only threatened public safety but has already exacted 
cost in human lives. 
The problem goes beyond the issue of failure of implementation and 
enforcement of environmental policies or laws, that of having a separate agency 
or authority, or that of anomalies (such as the titling of esteros and water channel 
areas, or tolerance of squatting). The problem is primarily caused by lack of 
efficient land use policy and plan by government. 
Declaring and establishing rivers, river systems, beaches, shores, and like 
waterways as ecological zones is a feasible measure towards the fulfillment of 
national land use policy and planning in the Philippines. This will help realize the 
Constitutional mandate of the State to "protect and advance the right of the 
people to a balanced and healthful ecology." (Section 16, Article II) 
Approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
EJERCITO ESTRAD ? 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
-7 
Ji \_ 
~ 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 4 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
DECLARING AND ESTABLISHING RIVERS, RIVER SYSTEMS, BEACHES, 
SHORES AND WATERWAYS AS ECOLOGICAL ZONES, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Tjf/e. This Act shall be known as the “River Systems and 
Waterways Ecological Zones Act of 2007”. 
SEC. 2. Dedarafion of Policy. - It is policy of the State to guarantee to 
the people a balanced and healthful environment in full accord with the rhythm of 
nature. Pursuant thereto, all rivers, river systems, beaches, shores and other, 
waterways are hereby declared ecological zones subject to the full protection of 
the State. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - 
a. “River“ shall refer as follows: 
1) A “major” river has at least 1,400 kilometers of drainage area; 
and 
2) A “principal” river has at least forty (40) square kilometers of 
drainage 
b. “River system” is a network of channels naturally or artificially designed 
to drain the whole catchment area into one outlet point, and this includes 
esteros, channels, creeks, springs, brooks, storm drains, streams, 
tributaries and blood channels; 
c. “Waterways” refer to other water channels not readily recognized as 
river, river system, beach or shores but serve the same function as the 
latter as may be determined by competent authority or by the appropriate 
government agency, Le. Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR); 
d. “Environmentally degraded means either of the following: 


1) The water quality has deteriorated such that the dissolved 
oxygen content (DOC) is zero; biochemical oxygen demand (POD) 
is more than one-hundred milligrams per liter (1 00 mgll); presence 
of toxic substance or heavy metals is above standards; or 
2) Heavily silted or filled up by sediment; absence of surface 
water flow; and erosion of river or waterway beds and banks. 
e. “Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)” - refers to the planning and 
decision-making process which includes studies of the environment with 
impact of a project including a discussion of the direct and indirect 
consequences upon human welfare and ecological and environmental 
integrity. EIA should also include studies on the alternatives to proposed 
projects. 
f. “Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)” - refers to the document 
reflecting the aims to identify, predict, interpret and communicate 
information regarding changes in environmental quality associated with a 
proposed project, and the range of alternatives for the objectives of the 
proposal and their impact on the environment. 
g. “Statement of Environmental Consequence” - refers to a simpler or 
small scale version of the Environmental Impact Statement (IES) system. 
SEC. 4. Purposes. - The primary purposes of this Act are as follows: 
a. To recognize and protect rivers and waterways as environmental 
resource critical to the ecological dimension of the lives of the people; 
b. To establish multi-use of rivers and waterways, provided such is within 
the bounds of environmental protection and ecological balance; 
c. To legally equip the government in pursuing environmental protection 
objectives and enforcing corresponding laws, rules and regulations; and 
d. To establish the natural resource of rivers and waterways within the 
context of a national land and resource us planning and zoning, a long- 
awaited environmental protection and efficient resource utilization 
measure. 
SEC. 5. Environmental Protection System. All current or prospective 
modes of occupancy, utilization or application of portions or surrounding areas of 
rivers, beaches, shores, and waterways shall henceforth be subjected to the 
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) Systems or Statement of Environmental of Environmental Consequences 
(SEC) for small scale or households endeavors as determined by the 
environmental Management Bureau (EME) of the Department of Environmental 
Natural Resources (DENR). 
SEC. 6. Prohibited Acts. - It is hereby declared unlawful for any person, 
natural or juridical to: 


a. Dump solid, toxic and hazardous waste or untreated for any person, 
natural or system or waterway: 
b. Dump or throw domestic garbage into the river system or waterways; 
c. Squat or appropriate banks or portion of rivers or waterways for private 
use or gain, except as duly authorized or allowed for such reasonable 
easement of public use in the interest of recreation, navigation, floatage, 
fishing and salvage. 
d. Fence off or encroach upon any river system or waterways or portions 
thereof, by any means whatsoever, and convert the same into fishpens or 
other private or commercial use, without the necessary environmental 
protection clearance, Le. ETNETS or SEC. 
e. Aid or conspire by way of commission or negligence in the perpetration 
of above-cited prohibited acts. 
SEC. 7. Penal Clause. Any person who violates any acts herein 
prohibited shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and 
one (1) day or more that eight (8) years, and a fine of not less than Ten thousand 
pesos (Pl0,OOO.OO) nor more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,OOO.OO): 
Provided, However, That in case of violation of this Act by an association, club, 
partnership, cooperative, or corporation or other juridical entity, the incumbent 
officers thereof who have knowingly participated in the violation shall be held 
liable: Provided, Further, That if the offender is a foreigner, he shall be 
immediately deported and barred forever from entering the country after serving 
sentence and paying the fine: Provided, Further, That if the offender is a 
government official or employee, he shall be permanently barred from holding 
any public office, appointment or employment: Provided, Finally, That the title, 
license, permit or lease held by the offender over the occupancy or use of the 
portion of river system or waterway is automatically revoked. 
SEC. 8. Administration and Enforcement; Implementing Guidelines. - 
The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 
shall have the primary responsibility for the administration and enforcement of 
this Act. It shall transmit all cases for prosecution arising from violations of this 
Act to the proper authorities for appropriate action. 
The implementing guidelines, rules and regulations, programs, projects 
and activities needed in pursuit of the provisions of the Act shall b promulgated 
and issued by the Secretary of the DENR within ninety (90) days after the 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The DENR shall make the necessary 
realignment of its existing budget to accommodate the initial expenditures in 
pursuit of the provisions of this Act. In succeeding years, such financial support 
from the government shall come from annual appropriations 
SEC 10 , Devolution. - The actual enforcement or implementation of the 
provisions of this Act shall be devolved to the Local Government Units five (5) 
years after the effectively of this Act. The DENR shall render the necessary 
operating policy, monitoring and evaluation, and technical assistance. 


SEC. I I. 
Repealing Clause, - Any law, decree, rule, regulation or other 
issuance or part thereof which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is 
hereby repealed, qmended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved,