Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, "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”. Further, Section 2, Article XII 
states that, “All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and 
other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, 
flora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State”. This bill 
ensures that these provisions in the Constitution are effectively enforced by the 
State by giving nature a legal entity. This bill ultimately ensures that the recognition 
of intergenerational responsibility and intergenerational justice are fully articulated 
into law. 
According to the Department of Science and Technology, human activities 
have resulted to observed increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The effects are felt 
gradually across the globe but have become increasingly destructive. For instance, 
there have been extreme trends in daily events such as temperature and rainfall in 
the Asia Pacific region. From the period of 1951 to 2010, there has been temperature 
anomalies observed indicating an increase of 0.648 degree Celsius. Further, 
according to the Global Peace Index 2019, the Philippines is the most susceptible 
country to climate hazards such as earthquakes, tsunami, floods, tropical cyclones 
and drought. 
Unless the State takes urgent action to protect its natural ecosystem, 
environmental degradation will continue to threaten the well-being and safety of 
future generations. Nature has borne the brunt of this systematic abuse for a long 
time, without any legal standing to contest it. Recently however, more and more 
countries, including several Latin American countries, are recognizing that nature 
has certain inalienable and inherent rights in and of itself By giving legal entity to 
nature, this bill urges all individual or collective member of the State to promote 
harmony with Nature in all areas of its relationship with other human communities 
and the rest of nature in ecosystems. 
In his first State of the Nation address, His Excellency, President Ferdinand 
Marcos, Jr. made this clear governmental mandate, “We all have the responsibility to 
preserve this Earth, for we are but custodians, and we will pass on this treasure to future 
February 20, 2023
12:03 pm
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generations. There is no question that the preservation of the environment IS the 
preservation of life.”   
 In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
EDGAR M. CHATTO 


 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
AN ACT  
TO PROMOTE THE RIGHTS OF NATURE IN THE PHILIPPINES 
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 "Rights of Nature Act." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
recognize and protect natural ecosystems and processes, or distinct and identifiable 
portions thereof, as legal entities possessing certain fundamental and inalienable 
rights. The State shall provide simple, effective and expeditious mechanisms for 
the protection and enforcement of these rights. Such rights shall be founded on the 
following: 
a.
Interconnectedness. Interrelatedness of all creation bound by a
common living source and all activities in the ecosystem-land, air,
water, and sea live and function according to their respective roles to
create and sustain the web life shall at all times be respected.
b.
Harmony. All human activities, within the framework of plurality
and diversity, should achieve a dynamic balance with the cycles and
processes inherent in Nature.
c.
Collective good. The interests of society shall be fulfilled consistent
with the rights of Nature and shall involve all human activities.
d.
Guarantee of the regeneration of Nature. The State, at its various
levels, and society, in harmony with the common interest, must
ensure the necessary conditions in order that Nature may regenerate,
recognizing that ecosystems are limited in their ability to regenerate,
and that humans are limited in their ability to undo their actions.
e.
Multiculturalism. The exercise of the rights of Nature requires the
recognition, recovery, respect, protection and dialogue of the diversity of
feelings, 
values, 
knowledge, 
skills, 
practices, 
transcendence,
transformation, science, technology and standards, of all cultures of the
world who seek to live in harmony with nature.
f.
Co-existence of Human Rights and Rights of Nature. All rights
guaranteed under the Constitution and international human rights
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treaties and laws, shall be exercised in harmony and consistent with the 
Rights of Nature. 
g. Promotion of ecologically-sound innovation. The promotion of 
ecologically-sound innovation shall be in line with the rights of Nature 
and shall be actively pursued by the State. 
 
 
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms are 
defined as follows: 
 
a. Nature refers to the physical world, which encompasses all the 
biotic and abiotic components and their interactions. It also refers to 
the meanings in which different groups attribute to the physical 
environment to make sense of the world. 
b. Natural 
Ecosystems 
refer 
to 
the 
complex 
and 
dynamic 
communities of plants, animals, microorganisms and other beings 
and their environment, both living and non-living, where human 
communities and the rest of nature interact as a functional unit under 
the influence of climatic, physiographic, and geological factors, as 
well as production practices, Filipino cultural diversity, and the 
worldviews of nations and indigenous peoples/indigenous cultural 
communities. 
c. Ecological renewal and restoration refers to the process that will 
enable the recovery of an ecosystem previously damaged by natural 
or anthropogenic causes. 
d. Ecological debt refers to what a country incurs when their 
ecological footprint exceeds their biocapacity. This means that the 
countries make use of resources of other countries to fulfill their 
consumption needs. 
 
 
Sec. 5. The Fundamental Rights of Nature. Natural ecosystems shall have the 
right to exist; to the maintenance of the vital cycles, functions and processes that 
ensure their continued sustainability and well-being; to the conditions necessary for 
their ecological renewal and restoration; and to 
adequate 
and effective 
representation vis-a-vis the protection and enforcement of these rights. These rights 
shall be in addition to, and shall not impair or limit, any other right or remedy 
available under existing law, administrative regulations or jurisprudence. A violation 
of any existing environmental law or regulation shall be deemed a prima facie violation 
of these rights. 
 
 
The State likewise recognizes that there are limits on the ability of natural 
ecosystems and processes to regenerate as well as on the ability of humanity to undo 
and reverse any damage it has caused to the environment. Thus, all development that 
affects or modifies natural ecosystems and processes must be sustainable, ensure the 
maintenance of critical ecosystem services, and respect intra- and intergenerational 
equity. 
 
 
Sec. 6. Legal Personality of Natural Ecosystems and Processes. The legal 
personality of natural ecosystems and processes, including all of their living and non-
living elements, as well as any distinct and identifiable portions, aggregations or 
components thereof, shall be recognized under law. In any action for the protection or 


 
  
enforcement of the rights recognized herein, the natural ecosystem or process involved 
shall be considered the real party-in-interest. 
 
 
Sec. 7. Obligations of the Government. The Government shall take all necessary 
actions to protect and enforce the rights recognized by this law including, but not 
limited to, the following: 
 
a. Develop and implement policies and regulations for prevention, early 
warning, protection, and precaution to prevent human activity from 
causing the extinction of living populations, the alteration of the cycles 
and processes that ensure life, and the destruction of livelihoods and 
cultural systems that are intertwined with natural ecosystems and 
processes; 
b. Promote balanced forms of production and patterns of consumption 
that, while satisfying the needs of the Filipino people, safe-guard the 
regenerative capacity and integrity of natural ecosystems and processes; 
c. Protect natural ecosystems and processes from the exploitation of its 
components, the commodification of living systems or the processes 
that support them, and the structural causes and effects of global 
climate change; 
d. Ensure long-term energy sovereignty, increased efficiency  and the 
gradual incorporation of clean and renewable alternative sources into 
the energy matrix; 
e. Demand international recognition of ecological debt trough the financing 
and transfer of clean technology compatible with the rights recognized in 
this Act; 
f. 
Promote peace and the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction; 
and 
g. Promote the recognition of the rights and natural ecosystems and 
processes in multilateral, regional and bilateral international relations. 
 
 
Sec. 8. Obligations of Juridical Persons. All juridical persons shall take all 
necessary actions to protect and enforce the rights recognized by this law including, but 
not limited to, the following: 
 
a. Embed the Right of Nature policy in their by-laws and organizational 
processes upon submission of their application for registration to the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); 
b. Undertake a regular reporting to the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR) of their impacts on specific ecosystem where 
they are conducting their business operations; 
c. Conduct environmental and human rights assessment prior to 
conducting their operations or whenever there is major change in their 
operations such as merger or closure of business; Provided, that such 
assessment shall be a prerequisite for the issuance of the Environmental 
Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the DENR. 
 
Sec. 9. Representation and Standing. Any Philippine resident may file an action 
to enforce the rights or obligations recognized under this Act. Upon the filing of any such 
action, the Court shall issue an order which shall contain a brief description of the cause 


 
  
of action and the reliefs prayed for, requiring all interested parties to manifest their 
interest to intervene in the case within a reasonable amount of time from notice thereof. 
 
Sec. 10. Reliefs. If warranted, the court shall issue a judgment in favor of the 
natural process or ecosystem on whose behalf an action for the protection and enforcement 
of the rights recognized herein was filed, which shall include measures for its 
protection, preservation, ecological renewal and restoration, as well as the payment of 
attorney's fees, costs of suit and other litigation expenses. Monetary damages to be 
awarded shall be the amount necessary to rectify or repair the damage done to natural 
ecosystems and processes by the defendant. 
 
Sec. 11. Trust Fund. Any monetary award that may be awarded by any Court in 
defense of the rights of Nature shall not accrue to the benefit of the representative 
but it will be deposited to a Trust Fund, Provided, however, that any expenses 
incurred by the representative shall constitute a lien to the monetary award. 
 
All monetary award shall be deposited in the Trust Fund under the 
administration of the Conservation Committee provided for in this Act, which shall 
be used to implement the measures for protection, preservation, ecological 
restoration, or renewal ordered by the court. 
 
Sec. 12. Appointment of Conservation Committee. To administer the trust 
fund and implement the measures necessary for protection, preservation, or 
ecological renewal and restoration of the natural ecosystem or process on whose 
behalf an action pursuant to this Act was filed, the Court shall appoint a conservation 
committed from the stakeholders concerned. 
 
The Court shall give preference to indigenous cultural communities from 
the same area, people's organization, non-governmental organization, or any public 
interest group accredited by or registered with any government agency. Under no 
circumstances shall a person or entity responsible for a violation of the rights 
recognized herein be appointed to a conservation committee. 
 
Sec. 13. Designation of Courts and Promulgation of Procedural Rules. The 
Supreme Court shall designate the court or courts that will hear and resolve cases 
brought under this Act and shall promulgate the rules of pleading, practice and 
procedure to govern the proceedings brought under this Act. 
 
Sec. 14. Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation. A Strategic Lawsuit 
against Public Participation (SLAPP) is any action filed to harass, vex or exert undue 
pressure against any person or legal entity that has taken legal action or made a 
public communication of any kind in connection with the enforcement or protection 
of the rights recognized herein or any other environmental law or regulation. The 
defendant in a SLAPP may file a special motion to dismiss at any point of the 
proceedings alleging that the case is a SLAPP. This special motion to dismiss shall be 
resolved within thirty (30) days after it is heard. If the court dismisses the SLAPP, it 
shall award damages, attorney's fees and costs of suit. The dismissal shall be with 
prejudice. 
 


 
  
Sec. 15. Education. The Department of Education and the Commission on 
Higher Education shall integrate into the curriculum of all levels the respect for and 
recognition of the inherent and inalienable rights of natural ecosystems. 
 
Sec. 
16. 
Implementing 
Rules 
and 
Regulations. 
The 
Secretary 
of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the Commission 
on Human Rights (CHR), the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform 
(DAR), National Commission on Indigenous  Peoples (NCIP), Climate  Change  
Commission (CCC), 
 
and 
 
associations 
 
or 
organizations representing 
environmental advocates shall issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations 
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity thereof. 
 
Sec. 
17. 
Appropriations. 
The 
amount 
necessary 
for 
the 
initial 
implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current 
year's appropriations of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 
 
Sec. 18. Penalties. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act 
or its Implementing Rules and Regulations shall, upon conviction by final judgment, 
be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than two (2) 
years or a fine of not less than Five Million pesos (PhP5,000,000), nor more than 
Ten Million pesos (PhP10,000,000), or both, at the discretion of the court. If the 
violation is committed by a juridical person, the officer responsible therefor shall 
serve the imprisonment when imposed. If violation is committed by an alien, he 
or she shall be immediately deported after service of sentence, without need of 
further proceedings. 
 
Sec. 19. 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. 20. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
 
Sec. 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,