a RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines 20 JUL 2018

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1778

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. NANCY A. CATAMCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Protection and conservation of the environment is, needless to say, of utmost importance to a
country which prides itself as an archipelago abundant with pristine natural resources. During
this period of unrestrained environmental degradation and rampant violations of
environmental laws, it is rather unfortunate that there is no sufficient and palpable
implementation of numerous environmental laws. Even with the constitutional mandate of
protecting and advancing the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature, governmental effort is still severely missing.

According to the Philippine Agenda 21 (PA 21), which is our own national agenda for
sustainable development, one of its five goal elements is Ecological Integrity. It states that “the
path towards enhancing the integrity of the country’s ecological domain will have to involve
heightened and sustained implementation of environmental laws, as well as the continued
pursuit of resource conservation, and environmental restoration/enhancement programs.”

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) may be adequately empowered
to conserve, manage, and develop the country’s environment and natural resources, but it still
lacks the driving force in pursuing sustainable development. Requests for assistance may have
been issued and Memoranda of Agreement may have been entered into with regard to
campaigns against illegal activities, but most of them have not gained permanency or genuine
effectiveness.

Moreover, countless lives of foresters, environment and natural resources officers, and even
private individuals in areas with mining or illegal logging activities have been sacrificed. It is
apparent that what emboldens those who transgress environmental laws or cause senseless
deaths is the lack of teeth in the enforcement of laws.

Heust. OF REPRESENTATIVES



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
1778

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. NANCY A. CATAMCO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICE UNIT,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 35 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1990,
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 “Philippine Environmental
Police Act.”

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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.

The State shall promote and protect the global environment and prevent to the greatest extent
practicable, injury and/or damage to it in order to attain sustainable development of the
country.

Towards this end, there is hereby established the Philippine National Police - Environmental
Police Unit (PNP-EPU), which shall commit itself to the protection of the environment through
effective enforcement of all Philippine environmental laws and shall serve as an effective
deterrent to the destruction of the environment.

SEC. 3. Section 35 of Republic Act 6975 is hereby amended to read as follows:


It is therefore high time to enhance the enforcement capabilities of the DENR by providing it
with adequate and permanent deputies from the country’s primary law enforcement agency.
For the most effective implementation of environmental laws, it is consequently crucial that a
special police unit focusing its resources entirely in the protection and conservation of our

environment.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly and urgently requested.

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“Section 35. Support Units - The PNP shall be supported by administrative and
operational support units. The administrative support units shall consist of the
Crime Laboratory, Logistic Unit, Communications Unit, Computer Center, Finance
Center and Civil Security Unit. The operational support units shall be composed
of the Maritime Police Unit, Police Intelligence Unit, Police Security Unit,
Criminal Investigation Unit, Special Action Force, Narcotics units, Aviation
Security Unit, Traffic Management Unit, the Medical and Dental Centers, the Civil
Relations Unit, and the ENVIRONMENTAL POLICE UNIT. To enhance police
operational efficiency and effectiveness, the Chief of the PNP may constitute
such other support units as may be necessary subject to the approval of the
Commission: Provided, That no support unit headed by a chief superintendent or
a higher rank can be created unless provided by law.”

SEC. 4. Section 35 (b) of the same act is hereby amended to read as follows:
“(b) OPERATIONAL SUPPORT UNITS.

(11) ENVIRONMENTAL POLICE UNIT. — HEADED BY A DIRECTOR WITH THE RANK
OF CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICE UNIT SHALL
PERFORM ALL POLICE FUNCTIONS OVER ALL PHILIPPINE TERRESTRIAL, FLUVIAL,
AND AERIAL DOMAINS IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF ALL PHILIPPINE
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, AND WHOSE OFFICERS ARE AUTOMATICALLY
DEPUTIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL
RESOURCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING LAWS.”

SEC. 5. Mandate. — The PNP-EPU is hereby mandated to provide full support to the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the enforcement of all Philippine
environmental laws and regulations. The PNP-EPU is further charged with protecting the health,
safety, and individual rights of natural persons through the enforcement of environmental
conservation and related laws and through public education.

SEC. 6. Establishment. - A PNP-EPU office shall be established in every city, province,
and local government unit with an area proclaimed, designated or set aside, pursuant to a law,
presidential decree, presidential proclamation or executive order as national park, game refuge,
bird and wildlife sanctuary, wilderness area, strict nature reserve, watershed, mangrove
reserve, fish sanctuary, natural and historical landmark, protected and managed
landscape/seascape as well as identified virgin forests before and after the effectivity of this
Act.

SEC. 7 Rules and Regulations. - The Department of the Interior and Local Government
and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in coordination with the Philippine
National Police, the Department of Justice, and the Commission on Human Rights shall
promulgate rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


SEC. 8. Appropriations - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the DILG and the DENR. Thereafter,
the amount necessary for the continued operation of the unit shall he included in the Annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain

valid and subsisting.

SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect immediately after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,