Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries in the world, containing two-
thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and between 70% and 80% of the world’s plant and 
animal species. The Philippines ranks fifth in the number of plant species and 
maintains 5% of the world’s flora.1 Its biodiversity, composed of various flora and 
fauna, provides resources to meet basic needs for human survival, promotes 
economic development and offers environmental services. 
Unfortunately, our country is also a biodiversity hotspot. We continue to lose our 
forests to commercial exploitation and habitat destruction. Our waters are 
threatened by chemical pollution, fisheries operations, habitat alteration, and 
global climate change. 
This bill seeks to create an Environmental Protection and Enforcement Bureau (EPEB) 
under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to give more teeth to 
the Constitutional mandate to protect and advance the right of the people to a 
balanced and healthful ecology. It also seeks to strengthen the enforcement of 
environmental laws and regulations in order to truly preserve our incomparably rich 
biodiversity.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is most earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
1
https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=ph#:~:text=The%20Philippines%20is%20one%20of,5%
25%20of%20the%20world's%20flora. 
August 23, 2022
2:00 pm
3991


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
BUREAU (EPEB) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT 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 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 (EPEB) 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
3991


environmental crimes, including transnational/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.  
 
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 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 - 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 by 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 Philippines 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 of 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)  Execute 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 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 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, environment-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 
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 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  
SG7 
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 
Criminalistics  
Section Chief  
SG 22 
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. Environment 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 enforcement 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 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 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) 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 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,