NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
■.!,. '(Oil! - til' 
■ ■
■22 JUL 13 PI :14
SENATE 
s.No. 494
RKB'i 3 5-
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
CREATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
BUREAU (EPEB) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND 
NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), PROVIDING FOR ITS POWER AND 
FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is playing a notoriously substantial role in the illegal trade, not 
only as a poaching area and transshipment point, but the country has also increasingly 
become an end destination for exotic pets. Even at the height of the COVID-19 
quarantine measures, the illegal trade of wildlife went on in online forums or social 
media pages. On top of this, illegal logging is still being reported in the field. The 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) estimated that the total 
value of wildlife trafficking alone is at 50 billion pesos, and illegal logging data if 
aggregated, could even be higher. The estimates do not include trafficking done 
through the Philippines. With increasing habitat destruction from conversion through 
logging and encroachment to poaching and the illegal transshipment of wildlife, there 
are increasing risks of encountering zoonotic diseases due to the degradation of 
habitats, which will increase human-wildlife interactions.
In addition, weak enforcement of pollution laws for environmental threats such 
as wastewater, solid waste, hospital waste, and hazardous waste, as well as an


infraction of protected area laws, rules and regulations have brought numerous issues 
with tremendous economic problems.
This measure seeks to support the initiative within the DENR to professionalize 
and institutionalize law enforcement in the agency by creating the Enviromnental 
Protection and Enforcement Bureau (EPEB) through congressional action.
Through the EPEB, DENR can strengthen its environmental law enforcement 
capacity and its synergy with other agencies having environmental law enforcement 
duties. The EPEB will allow the DENR to target the syndicates responsible for wildlife 
and timber trafficking. In terms of pollution control and the law on hazardous 
materials, the EPEB can improve its capabilities to detect and stop these violations, 
especially those involving hospital wastes and discharges by pollutive industries.
The EPEB will utilize advanced skills training on crime scene forensics, 
intelligence, surveillance, and investigation, DNA, and other criminalistics to go after 
high-profile perpetrators and build up cases on entire networks of traffickers rather 
than just the low-level poachers. The forensics lab contained in the proposed measure 
will cover the entire range of needs of the DENR to address violations of most, if not 
all, environmental laws, including logging, wildlife poaching, toxic contaminations, 
pollution, and hazardous materials and wastes.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly
sought.
OREN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
494
o! li'r
72 JUL13 PI :14
RlTbP ..DB'
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
CREATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
BUREAU (EPEB) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND 
NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), PROVIDING FOR ITS POWER AND 
FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Environmental Protection
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and Enforcement Bureau (EPEB)".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to:
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a. Maintain an effective, competent, modern, current, and highly-
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trained enforcement body to address violations of environment and
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natural resources laws, rules and regulations in order to protect and
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advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology
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in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;
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b. Strengthen and professionalize enviromnent and natural resources
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protection and law enforcement with appropriate structure, science
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and technology, manpower, and capability;
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c. Formulate plans and programs relative to environment and natural
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resources protection to enhance and modernize capacities to
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address all types of environmental crimes, including
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transnational/ transboundary violations, taking cognizance of the
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worsening global environmental situation;


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d. Promote shared duties and responsibilities, and capacitate other
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law enforcement agencies anci local government units on
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environmental law enforcement; and
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e. Ensure fair, swift, and certain enforcement of enviromnental laws.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms and plrrases
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shall mean as follows:
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a. Abatement - refers to a legal document issued by the Bureau, its
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officers and enforces, ordering the suspension or cessation, in whole
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or in part, or removal of a problem or nuisances, which is against
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environmental and natural resources laws committed in prohibited
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areas, and/ or other public areas, where such act is prohibited.
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b. Bureau - refers to the Environmental Protection and Enforcement
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Bureau.
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c. Cease and Desist Order (CDO) - refers to an order duly issued by the
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Secretary or the Bureau directing or enjoining any person, business
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or organization, or government agency, to stop or continue doing an
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act considered harmful or illegal and/ or in order to protect, preserve
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or rehabilitate the environment. A CDO may be permanent, for
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specified period of time, or until a final administrative or judicial
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determination of its legality occurs.
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d. Confiscation - refers to the act of taking in favor of the government,
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real or personal property, from a person without payment or
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compensation in an administrative proceeding.
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e. Custody - refers to temporary holding or safekeeping of any evidence
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obtained or seized in an enforcement operation conducted by, or
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with the participation of the Bureau, while a case is pending before
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any administrative body or the courts.
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f. Department - refers to the Department of Environment and Natural
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Resources (DENR).
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g. Emergency - occurs when there is a demonstrated impending threat
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to human life, biodiversity, or irreparable damage to the integrity
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and stability of the ecosystem.


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h. Enforcement areas - refers to any geographic area in the Philippines 
where priority enforcement response is needed.
Forensic - refers to the application of scientific methods for analyzing
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evidence and samples for purposes of criminal, civil, or 
administrative procedure.
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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 criminal prosecution under 
this Act.
k. Prohibited areas - refer 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, buffer zones, or areas 
designated under the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan 
of LGUs as hazard-prone areas.
l. 
Regulated community - refers to all persons, businesses, organizations, 
government agencies, or instrumentalities of the government whose 
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 - refers to the taking by enforcement officers of potential 
evidence from a person who is suspected of violating environmental 
laws, rules and regulations. Seizure of evidence may be done by 
virtue of a search warrant, or on the occasion of a warrantless arrest 
or warrantless search.
o. Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participate (SLAPP) - the defense of 
SLAPP shall be available to Bureau enforcers and those they have 
deputized, complainants, and witnesses. This remedy is available 
even ciuring preliminary investigation and relevant administrative


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cases. The Bureau shall provide sufficient assistance for those
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enforcers, deputies, complainants, and witnesses charged with
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SLAPP suits.
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p. Transnational or transboundary violations - refers to a continuing
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offense in contravention of both enviromnental laws and
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international treaties and conventions on the environment to which
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the Philippines is a signatory. An act is deemed a continuing offense
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when the act may be prosecuted and tried not only in the court or
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administrative bodies of the place where it began, but also in the
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court or administrative bodies of the place where part of the offense
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was continued or consummated.
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q. Wildlife Trafficking - refers to the transportation and/or
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transshipment of wildlife, wildlife by-products, or derivatives, from,
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to, or through the Philippines.
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Sec. 4. Creation. - There is hereby created the Enviromnental Protection and
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Enforcement Bureau (EPEB) which shall be a uniformed service and a line agency
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under the Department.
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This Act shall transfer and consolidate all enforcement functions performed by
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different Bureaus and attached Agencies of the Department and those that may be
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created hereafter.
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The Bureau shall exercise concurrent enforcement authority with agencies
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having jurisdiction under other laws.
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Sec. 5. Jurisdiction. - The Bureau shall carry out environmental law enforcement
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functions in the entire Philippine archipelago including air space, territorial waters,
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exclusive economic zones, continental shelf, and other areas where the Philippines
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exercises sovereignty and sovereign rights or jurisdiction in accordance with
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Philippine and International Laws. It shall be under the control and supervision of the
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Secretary.
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Sec. 6. Pozvers and Functions. - The Bureau has the power and authority to:
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a. Enforce, interdict ongoing violations, arrest, investigate, and
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prosecute all violations of environmental and natural resources laws.


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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. Execute decisions and dispose of confiscated items in administrative 
cases peitaining 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), and other government law enforcement 
agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, 
to aid in the enforcement of laws against environmental crimes;
g. Conduct intelligence operations and forensics investigation in 
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 duly issued by the Bureau;
i. 
Accept 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 advance 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 a database of all relevant information such as, but not 
limited to, environmental cases, environmental-related incidents, 
peimittees, licensees, parks 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.
Notliing herein shall prevent other law enforcement agencies from exercising
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jurisdiction over violations of environmental laws, rules and regulations. Provided
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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.
Sec. 7. Organizational Structure. - The Bureau shall be organized into the Office 
of the Director-General, Deputy Director-Generals for Operations and for 
Admimstration, Division Chiefs for Enforcement, Investigation and Legal, Finance 
and Logistics, Administrative and Human Resource, Planning and Knowledge 
Information Service, and Forensic Laboratory. Each seiwice 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 Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
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(PENR) and/ or City Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) offices, or clusters
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thereof.
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The Bureau s personnel and tlieir respective positions and rank shall have
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appropriate staffing complement, as follows:
lob Title
Career Level
Salary Grade
Director General
Director VI
SG 30
Deputy Director General for
Operations
Director V
5G29
Deputy Director General for
Administration
Director V
SG 29
Regional Director
Director 111
SG 27
Ghiet tor Enforcement Division.
Director I
SG 25
Chief for Investigation and Legal
Division
Director I
SG 25
Chief for Finance and Logistics
Division
Director I
SG25
Chief for Administrative and Human
Resource Division
Director I
SG25
Chief for Planning and Knowledge
Information Division
Director I
SG 25
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 Ill
3G21
Regional Enforcement Division Chief 1Tivision Cliief
?G 24
Regional Management Division Chief ]Division Chief 
c5G24
Supervising Enforcement Officer 
cSenior Officer V 
^>G 22
Enforcement Officer IV 
rDfficer IV 
5)G 19
Enforcement Officer Ill 
cDfficer Ill 
s;g 16
Enforcement Officer II 
fOfficer II 
c.G 13
Enforcement Officer I 
cOfficer I 
5 G 11
Ranger technician
langer Ill 
SG 9
Ranger 
p’anger II 
SG7
KanSer 
iRangerl 
Scs----------------
Q 
^ i ___ 7 
r ' c^ 
^ 
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cixuj. iiianucim d.11 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.


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criminalistics, veterinary, morphology, and digital. The Forensic Laboratory may be
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composed of the following staffing complement:
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Job Title
Career Level
Salary Grade
Director tor t^orensic Laboratory
Director I
SG 25
Section Chief on Chemistry and
Toxicology
Section Chief
SG 22
Section Chief on Genetics and Forensic
Biology
Section Chief
SG22
 Section Cliief on Criminali«Hrc
Section Chief
SG 22
Section Chiet on Veterinarv
Section Chief
SG22
Section Chief on Taxonomy and 
Morphology
Section Chief
rSG22
section Chief on Geology
Section Chief
SG 22
Senior Computer Programmer and
Information Technology Officer
ENRE Officer IV
SG 19
Analyst ill
ENKE Officer 111
SG 16
Analyst II
ENRE Officer II
SG 13
Analyst I
Sec. V h.rnnrn-Hti'iiorifnl 
r _
ENRE Officer I
SG 11
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 enforcement training courses, and 
continuing skills enhancement of all Bureau enforcers and personnel.
The Academy shall provide other Philippine law enforcement agencies and 
institutions with high-quality standardized trainings on environmental law 
enforcement including local govermnents.
Sec. 10. Pmvers 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 power;


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c. Develop a system and allocate funds for informant's rewards and 
whistle blower 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 of 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 division/units and positions witliin 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 
of the approval of the Secretary; and
Perform other acts that are necessary, proper, or incidental to the 
performance of his/her duties and responsibilities as may be 
assigned by the Secretary.
Sec. 11. Poivers and Functions of Bureau Ojficers and Enforcers. - The members of 
the Bureau shall be peace officers, and as law enforcers, shall have the following 
additional powers and functions:
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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 size and initiate confiscation proceedings for proliibited items 
mcludmg objects, implements, and conveyances used in the 
violation of environmental laws, 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
regulation 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.
Sec. 12. Benefits and Privileges. - The Bureau, shall provide its personnel with the 
following benefits:
a. Healthcare 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 legal assistance and support fund.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 14. Stakeholder's Engagement/People's Participation. - Active and direct 
participation of national goverranent agencies (NGAs), local government units 
(LGUs), academe, media, people's organizations (Pos), non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs), including the citizenry, shall be encouraged. The Bureau shall
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take measures to ensure responsiveness and feedback mechanisms for maximum 
participation, engagement, and transparency.
Sec. 15. Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) in the Enforcement 
of this Act. - 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 investigations and relevant 
admimstrative cases. The Bureau shall provide sufficient assistance for those 
enforcers, deputies, complainants, and witnesses charged with SLAPP suits.
The Rules of Procedure for Enviromnental Cases shall govern the procedure in 
civil, criminal, and special civil actions involving the enforcement of violations of this 
Act, including actions treated as a SLAPP as provided in this section.
Sec. 16. Prohibition on the Issuance of Temporary Restraining Orders, Preliminary 
Injunctions, and Preliminary Mandatory Injunctions. - No court, other than the Supreme 
Court, shall issue an injunction or restraining order against the Department and 
Bureau in the lawful enforcement of environmental and natural resources laws.
Sec. 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 intimidate 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 person assaulting the 
environment and natural resources enforcement officer or his deputy in the 
enforcement of his or her duties.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 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 orders, and summarily eject any
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and/or .ss„e ataman, OTder, rem„,al, 
or ckmoa<>a of
gal ,d„n„r.s from a P,„hiblted ar.a, wifton, „ 
ofjMIcia,
lovided, that in cases of emerp:enrv
^ . 
lergency, the Bureau may order the immediate exit
or departure of the offender from the prohibited area The r 
enforcement • 
. 
P 0mDlted area-The Bureau may call on other
c gencies to asstst m executing the order to vactite.
Sec. 20. Authority of the Director-General of the Bureau or the Duly Authorized
' 1UeS and re8ulatlonsa the Director-General or his duly
order the rePreSentatlVe' may' ” aPProPriate cases, issue notices of violation and 
seizure of any property subject of the offense, including conveyances 
P ements, tools, and equipment used in the commission of the offense
shall Ttl1'Tr0TlonS. ' The fUndS reqUlred fOT the ^-P^-entation of this Act 
shall be taken from the General Appropriations Act fC A AI ,r
from the following: 
( 
} and may be aU«mented
a. Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF);
b. Environmental Users Fees;
c. EPIRA;
d. Road users" Tax; and
e. Administrative fines and penalties.
to. Wffl rdedn“'"'a1'fUndS 
P“1"‘,08elher “ ■ “"S1'
that will cover all operational expenses.
Sec. 22. Transitory Provisions. - All unexpected appropriations, real and 
personal properties, documents, records and other papers related to enforcement 
w ic are kept and/or managed by enforcement divisions, sections, and units of the 
epartment and attached Agencies shall be transferred to the Bureau.
the reZ,nTmTt 0mCiah an<i PerSOmieI CUrrent'y aSSigned and/°r desi8nated a‘ 
g enforcement divisions, PENR enforcement sections, or CENR
29 enforcement units who have undergone the mandatory training on enforcement as
provided under th.s Act may continue to serve as an officer or enforcer of the Bureau
^ ^ or c oose to be reassigned in non-enforcement offices or Bureaus of the Department.'
32 n h mCU ent enforc™ officials, enforcers, and persomtel of the 
epar nent. Bureaus, and attached Agencies who have undergone the mandatory
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training on enforcement as provided under this Act may serve as officers or enforcers
of the Bureau, or choose to be reassigned to non-enforcement 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.
Sec. 23. Implementing Rules md Regulations. - The Department, in consultation 
with concerned government agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the
unplementing rules and regulations of this Act within six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 26. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation or in the 
Official Gazette.
Approved,
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