![]() SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.” SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles. - 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 to attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems. The State recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based. The State also recognizes the principle that “polluters must pay”. Finally, the State recognizes that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should, therefore, be the concern of all. SEC. 3. Declaration of Policies. - The State shall pursue a policy of balancing development and environmental protection. To achieve this end, the frame work for sustainable development shall be pursued. It shall be the policy of the State to:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
[b] Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries through the application of market-based instruments; [c] Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on control and provide for a comprehensive management program for air pollution; [d] Promote public information and education and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in air quality planning and monitoring; and [e] Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project, program or activity. This shall include the setting up of a funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and environmental rehabilitation and compensation for personal damages.
SEC. 4. Recognition of Rights.
- Pursuant to the above-declared principles, the following rights of
citizens
are hereby sought to be
recognized
and the State shall seek to guarantee their enjoyment:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
[b] The right to utilize and enjoy all natural resources according to the principles of sustainable development; [c] The right to participate in the formulation, planning, implementation and monitoring of environmental policies and programs and in the decision-making process; [d] The right to participate in the decision-making process concerning development policies, plans and programs projects or activities that may have adverse impact on the environment and public health;
[e] The right to be
informed
of the nature and extent of the potential hazard of any activity,
undertaking
or project
and
to be served timely notice of any significant rise in the level of
pollution
and the accidental or deliberate
[f] The right of access to public records which a citizen may need to exercise his or her rights effectively under this Act; [g] The right to bring action in court or quasi-judicial bodies to enjoin all activities in violation of environmental laws and regulations, to compel the rehabilitation and cleanup of affected area, and to seek the imposition of penal sanctions against violators of environmental laws; and [h] The right to bring action in court for compensation of personal damages resulting from the adverse environmental and public health impact of a project or activity. SEC. 5. Definitions.- As used in this Act:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) “Air pollution” means any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmospheric air, or any discharge thereto of any liquid, gaseous or solid substances that will or is likely to create or to render the air resources of the country harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety or welfare or which will adversely affect their utilization for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate purposes; c) “Ambient air quality guideline values” means the concentration of air over specified periods classified as short-term and long-term which are intended to serve as goals or objectives for the protection of health and/or public welfare. These values shall be used for air quality management purposes such as determining time trends, evaluating stages of deterioration or enhancement of the air quality, and in general, used as basis for taking positive action in preventing, controlling, or abating air pollution; d) “Ambient air quality” means the general amount of pollution present in a broad area; and refers to the atmosphere’s average purity as distinguished from discharge measurements taken at the source of pollution; e) “Certificate of Conformity” means a certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to a vehicle manufacturer / assembler or importer certifying that a particular new vehicle or vehicle type meets the requirements provided under this Act and its rules and regulations; f) “Department” means the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; g)“Eco-profile” means the geographic-based instrument for planners and decision makers which present an evaluation of the environment quality and carrying capacity of an area. It is the result of the integration of primary data and information on natural resources and antropogenic activities on the land which were evaluated by various environmental risk assessment and forecasting methodologies that enable the Department to anticipate the type of development control necessary in the planning area. h)“Emission” means any air contaminant, pollutant, gas stream or unwanted sound from a known source which is passed into the atmosphere; i) “Greenhouse gases” means those gases that can potentially or can reasonably be expected to induce global warming, which include carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, chloroflourocarbons, and the like; j) “Hazardous substances” means those substances which present either: (1) short-term acute hazards such as acute toxicity by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption, corrosivity or other skin or eye contact hazard or the risk of fire explosion; or (2) long-term toxicity upon repeated exposure, carcinogecity (which in some cases result in acute exposure but with a long latent period), resistance to detoxification process such as biodegradation, the potential to pollute underground or surface waters; k) “Infectious waste” means that portion of medical waste that could transmit an infectious disease; l) “Medical waste” means the materials generated as a result of patient diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals; m) “Mobile source” means any vehicle propelled by or through combustion of carbon-based or other fuel, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property goods; n) “Motor vehicle” means any vehicle propelled by a gasoline or diesel engine or by any means other than human or animal power, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property or goods in a public highway or street open to public use; o) “Municipal waste” means the waste materials generated from communities within a specific locality; p) "New vehicle” means a vehicle constructed entirely from new parts that has never been sold or registered with the DOTC or with the appropriate agency or authority, and operated on the highways of the Philippines, any foreign state or country; q) “Octane Rating or the Anti-Knock Index(AKI)” means the rating of the anti-knock characteristics of a grade or type of automotive gasoline as determined by dividing by two (2) the sum of the Research Octane Number (RON), plus the Motor Octane Number (MON); the octane requirement, with respect to automotive gasoline for use in a motor vehicle or a class thereof, whether imported, manufactured, or assembled by a manufacturer, shall refer to the minimum octane rating of such automotive gasoline which such manufacturer recommends for the efficient operation of such motor vehicle, or a substantial portion of such class, without knocking; r) “Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)” means those substances that significantly deplete or otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely to result in adverse effects of human health and the environment such as, but not limited to, chloroflourocarbons, halons and the like; s) “Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)” means the organic compounds that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. These compounds resist photolytic, chemical and biological degradation, which shall include but not be limited to dioxin, furan, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, such as aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, hexachlorobenzene, lindane, toxaphere and chlordane; t) “Poisonous and toxic fumes” means any emissions and fumes which are beyond internationally - accepted standards, including but not limited to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values;
u) “Pollution
control
device" means any device or apparatus used to prevent, control or
abate
the pollution of
air
caused by emissions from identified pollution sources at levels within
the air pollution control standards
v) “Pollution control technology” means the pollution control devices, production process, fuel combustion processes or other means that effectively prevent or reduce emissions or effluent; w) “Standard of performance" means a standard for emissions of air pollutant which reflects the degree of emission limitation achievable through the application of the best system of emission reduction, taking into account the cost of achieving such reduction and any non-air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirement which the Department determines, and adequately demonstrates; and x) “Stationary source” means any building or immobile structure, facility or installation which emits or may emit any air pollutant. SEC. 6. Air Quality Monitoring and Information Network.- The Department shall prepare an annual National Air Quality Status Report which shall be used as the basis in formulating the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework, as provided for in Sec. 7. The said report shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) Analysis and evaluation of the current state, trends and projections of air pollution at the various levels provided herein; c) Identification of critical areas, activities, or projects which will need closer monitoring or regulation; d) Recommendations for necessary executive and legislative action; and e) Other pertinent qualitative and quantitative information concerning the extent of air pollution and the air quality performance rating of industries in the country.
The Department, in cooperation
with the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), shall design
and
develop an information
network
for data storage, retrieval and exchange.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
The Department shall serve as the central depository of all data and information related to air quality. SEC. 7. Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework.- The Department shall within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, establish, with the participation of LGUs, NGOs, POs, the academe and other concerned entities from the private sector, formulate and implement the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework for a comprehensive air pollution management and control program. The framework shall, among others, prescribe the emission reduction goals using permissible standards, control strategies and control measures to undertaken within a specified time period, including cost-effective use of economic incentives, management strategies, collective actions, and environmental education and information. The Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework shall be adopted as the official blueprint with which all government agencies must comply with to attain and maintain ambient air quality standards. SEC. 8. Air Quality Control Action Plan.- Within six (6) months after the formulation of the framework, the Department shall, with public participation, formulate and implement an air quality control action plan consistent with Sec. 7 of this Act. The action plan shall:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) Provide for the establishment and operation of appropriate devices, methods, systems and procedures necessary to monitor, compile and analyze data on ambient air quality;
c) Include a
program to provide
for the following: (1) enforcement of the measures described in
subparagraph
[a]; (2) regulation of the modification and construction of any
stationary
source within the areas
covered
by the plan, in accordance with land use policy to ensure that ambient
air quality standards are
achieved;
The adoption of the plan shall
clarify the legal effects on the financial, manpower and budgetary
resources
of
the
affected government agencies, and on the alignment of their programs
with
the plans.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
In addition to direct regulations, the plan shall be characterized by a participatory approach to the pollution problem. The involvement of private entities in the monitoring and testing of emissions from mobile and/or stationary sources shall be considered. Likewise, the LGU’s, with the assistance from the Department, shall prepare and develop an action plan consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework to attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards within their respective airsheds as provided in Sec. 9 hereof. The local government units shall develop and submit to the Department a procedure for carrying out the action plan for their jurisdiction. The Department, however, shall maintain its authority to independently inspect the enforcement procedure adopted. The Department shall have the power to closely supervise all or parts of the air quality action plan until such time the local government unit concerned can assume the function to enforce the standards set by the Department. A multi-sectoral monitoring team with broad public representation shall be convened by the Department for each LGU to conduct periodic inspections of air pollution sources to assess compliance with emission limitations contained in their permits. SEC. 9. Airsheds.- Pursuant to Sec. 8 of this Act, the designation of airsheds shall be on the basis of, but not limited to, areas with similar climate, meteorology and topology which affect the interchange and diffusion of pollutants in the atmosphere, or areas which share common interest or face similar development programs, prospects or problems. For a more effective air quality management, a system of planning and coordination shall be established and a common action plan shall be formulated for each airshed. To effectively carry out the formulated action plans, a Governing Board is hereby created, hereinafter referred to as the Board. The Board shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as chairman. The members shall be as follows:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) City/Municipal Mayors from areas belonging to the airshed; c) A representative from each concerned government agency; d) Representatives from people’s organizations; e) Representatives from non-government organizations; and f) Representatives from the private sector.
The Board shall perform the
following functions:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) Preparation of a common action plan; c) Coordination of functions among its members; and d) Submission and publication of an annual Air Quality Status Report for each airshed.
Upon consultation with appropriate
local government authorities, the Department shall, from time to time,
revise
the
designation of airsheds utilizing eco-profiling techniques and
undertaking
scientific studies.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
Emissions trading may be allowed among pollution sources within an airshed.
SEC. 10. Management of
Non-attainment Areas.- The Department shall designate areas where
specific
In coordination with other
appropriate government agencies, the LGUs shall prepare and implement a
For those designated as nonattainment areas, the Department, after consultation with local government authorities, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and concerned sectors may revise the designation of such areas and expand its coverage to cover larger areas depending on the condition of the areas.
SEC. 11. Air Quality
Control Techniques.- Simultaneous with the issuance of the
guideline
values and
standards,
the Department, through the research and development program contained
in this Act and upon
consultation
with appropriate advisory committees, government agencies and LGUs,
shall
issue, and from time
to
time, revise information on air pollution control techniques.
b) Best available technology economically achievable which shall refer to the technological basis/standards for emission limits applicable to existing, direct industrial emitters of nonconventional and toxic pollutants; and c) Alternative fuels, processes and operating methods which will result in the eliminator or significant reduction of emissions.
Such information may also include
data relating to the cost of installation and operation, energy
requirements,
emission reduction
benefits,
and environmental impact or the emission control technology.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
The issuance of air quality guideline values, standards and information on air quality control techniques shall be made available to the general public: Provided, That the issuance of information on air quality control techniques shall not be construed as requiring the purchase of certain pollution control devices by the public.
SEC. 12. Ambient Air Quality
Guideline Values and Standards.- The Department, in coordination
with
a) For National Ambient Air
Quality Guideline for Criteria Pollutants:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b Arithmetic mean c SO2 and Suspended Particulate matter are sampled once every six days when using the manual methods. A minimum of twelve sampling days per quarter of forty-eight sampling days each year is required for these methods. Daily sampling may be done in the future once continuous analyzers are procured and become available. d Limits for Total Suspended Particulate Matter with mass median diameter less than 25-50 um. e Annual Geometric Mean f Provisional limits for Suspended Particulate Matter with mass median diameter less than 10 microns and below until sufficient monitoring data are gathered to base a proper guideline. g Evaluation of this guideline is carried out for 24-hour averaging time and averaged over three moving calendar months. The monitored average value for any three months shall not exceed the guideline value.
b) For National Ambient Air
Quality Standards for Source Specific Air Pollutants from:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
3 Other equivalent methods approved by the Department may be used.
The basis in setting up the
ambient air quality guideline values and standards shall reflect, among
others, the latest scientific knowledge including information on:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) The other types of air pollutants which may interact with such pollutant to produce an adverse effect on public health or welfare; and c) The kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be expected from presence of such pollutant in the ambient air, in varying quantities.
The Department shall base such
ambient air quality standards on World Health Organization (WHO)
standards,
but shall not be limited to nor be less stringent than such standards.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
SEC. 13. Emission Charge System.- The Department, in case of industrial dischargers, and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), in case of motor vehicle dischargers, shall, based on environmental techniques, design, impose on and collect regular emission fees from said dischargers as part of the emission permitting system or vehicle registration renewal system, as the case may be. The system shall encourage the industries and motor vehicles to abate, reduce, or prevent pollution. The basis of the fees include, but is not limited to, the volume and toxicity of any emitted pollutant. Industries, which shall install pollution control devices or retrofit their existing facilities with mechanisms that reduce pollution shall be entitled to tax incentives such as but not limited total credits and/or accelerated depreciation deductions.
SEC. 14. Air Quality Management
Fund.- An Air Quality Management Fund to be administered by the
The Fund shall be sourced from the fines imposed and damages awarded to the Republic of the Philippines by the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), proceeds of licenses and permits issued by the Department under this Act, emission fees and from donations, endowments and grants in the forms of contributions. Contributions to the Fund shall be exempted from donor taxes and all other taxes, charges or fees imposed by the Government. SEC. 15. Air Pollution Research and Development Program.- The Department, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), other agencies, the private sector, the academe, NGO’s and PO’s, shall establish a National Research and Development Program for the prevention and control of air pollution. The Department shall give special emphasis to research on and the development of improved methods having industry-wide application for the prevention and control of air pollution. Such a research and development program shall develop air quality guideline values and standards in addition to internationally-accepted standards. It shall also consider the socio-cultural, political and economic implications of air quality management and pollution control. SEC. 16. Permits.- Consistent with the provisions of this Act, the Department shall have the authority to issue permits as it may determine necessary for the prevention and abatement of air pollution. Said permits shall cover emission limitations for the regulated air pollutants to help attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards. These permits shall serve as management tools for the LGUs in the development of their action plan. SEC. 17. Emission Quotas.- The Department may allow each regional industrial center that is designated as special airshed to allocate emission quotas to pollution sources within its jurisdiction that qualify under an environmental impact assessment system programmatic compliance program pursuant to the implementing rules and regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1586.
SEC. 18. Financial Liability
for Environmental Rehabilitation.- As part of the environmental
management
plan
attached
to the environmental compliance certificate pursuant to Presidential
Decree
No. 1586 and rules and
regulations
set therefor, the Department shall require program and project
proponents
to put up financial
guarantee
mechanisms to finance the needs for emergency response, clean-up
rehabilitation
of areas that
Financial liability instruments may be in the form a trust fund, environmental insurance, surety bonds, letters of credit, as well as self-insurance. The choice of the guarantee instruments shall furnish the Department with evidence of availment of such instruments. SEC. 19. Pollution From Stationary Sources.- The Department shall, within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, and every two (2) years thereafter, review, or as the need therefore arises, revise and publish emission standards, to further improve the emission standards for stationary sources of air pollution. Such emission standards shall be based on mass rate of emission for all stationary source of air pollution based on internationally accepted standards, but not be limited to, nor be less stringent than such standards and with the standards set forth in this section. The standards, whichever is applicable, shall be the limit on the acceptable level of pollutants emitted from a stationary source for the protection of the public’s health and welfare.
With respect to any trade,
industry, process and fuel-burning equipment or industrial plant
emitting
air
pollutants,
the concentration at the point of emission shall not exceed the
following
limits:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b Atomic Absorption Specttrophotometry c All new geothermal power plants starting construction by 01 January 1995 shall control HsS emissions to not more than 150 g/GMW-Hr d All existing geothermal power plants shall control HsS emissions to not more than 200 g/GMW-Hr within 5 years from the date of effectivity of these revised regulations. e Best practicable control technology for air emissions and liquid discharges. Compliance with air and water quality standards is required. f Emission limit of Nickel Carbonyl shall not exceed 0.5 mg/Ncm. g Provisional Guideline
Provided, That the maximum limits
in mg/ncm particulates in said sources shall be:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
Provided, further, That the
maximum limits for sulfur oxides in said sources shall be:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
For stationary sources of pollution
not specifically included in the immediately preceding paragraph, the
following
emission standards shall not be exceeded in the exhaust gas:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
I. Daily And Half Hourly
Average Values
Pursuant to Sec. 8 of this Act, the Department shall prepare a detailed action plan setting the emission standards or standards of performance for any stationary source the procedure for testing emissions for each type of pollutant, and the procedure for enforcement of said standards. Existing industries, which are proven to exceed emission rates established by the Department in consultation with stakeholders, after a thorough, credible and transparent measurement process shall be allowed a grace period of eighteen (18) months for the establishment of an environmental management system and the installation of an appropriate air pollution control device : Provided, That an extension of not more than twelve (12) months may be allowed by the Department on meritorious grounds. SEC. 20. Ban on Incineration.- Incineration, hereby defined as the burning of municipal, biomedical and hazardous waste, which process emits poisonous and toxic fumes is hereby prohibited; Provided, however, That the prohibition shall not apply to traditional small-scale method of community/neighborhood sanitation “siga”, traditional, agricultural, cultural, health, and food preparation and crematoria; Provided, further, That existing incinerators dealing with a biomedical wastes shall be out within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act; Provided, finally, that in the interim, such units shall be limited to the burning of pathological and infectious wastes, and subject to close monitoring by the Department. Local government units are hereby mandated to promote, encourage and implement in their respective jurisdiction a comprehensive ecological waste management that includes waste segregation, recycling and composting. With due concern on the effects of climate change, the Department shall promote the use of state-of-the-art, environmentally-sound and safe non-burn technologies for the handling, treatment, thermal destruction, utilization, and disposal of sorted, unrecycled, uncomposted, biomedical and hazardous wastes. SEC. 21. Pollution from Motor Vehicles.- a) The DOTC shall implement the emission standards for motor vehicles set pursuant to and as provided in this Act. To further improve the emission standards, the Department shall review, revise and publish the standards every two (2) years, or as the need arises. It shall consider the maximum limits for all major pollutants to ensure substantial improvement in air quality for the health, safety and welfare of the general public. The following emission standards for type approval of motor vehicles shall be effective by the year 2003:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary a) For light duty vehicles, the exhaust emission limits for gaseous pollutants shall be:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) For light commercial vehicles,
the exhaust emission limit of gaseous pollutants as a function of the
given
reference mass shall be:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
c) For heavy duty vehicles,
the exhaust emission limits of gaseous pollutants shall be:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
Fuel evaporative emission for
spark-ignition engines shall not exceed 2.0 grams hydrocarbons per
test.
Likewise, it shall not allow any emission of gases from crankcase
ventilation
system into the atmosphere.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
b) The Department, in collaboration with the DOTC, DTI and LGUs, shall develop an action plan for the control and management of air pollution from motor vehicles consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Framework. The DOTC shall enforce compliance with the emission standards for motor vehicles set by the Department. The DOTC may deputize other law enforcement agencies and LGUs for this purpose. To this end, the DOTC shall have the power to:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
[2] Prohibit or enjoin the use of motor vehicles or a class of motor vehicles in any area or street at specified times; and [3] Authorize private testing emission testing centers duly accredited by the DTI.
c) The DOTC, together with the
DTI and the Department, shall establish the procedures for the
inspection
of
motor
vehicles and the testing of their emissions for the purpose of
determining
the concentration and/or rate of
pollutants
discharged by said sources.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
d) In order to ensure the
substantial reduction of emissions from motor vehicles, the Department
of Trade
and
Industry (DTI), together with the DOTC and the Department shall
formulate
and implement a national motor
vehicle
inspection and maintenance program that will promote efficient and safe
operation of all motor vehicles.
In
this regard, the DTI shall develop and implement standards and
procedures
for the certification of training
SEC. 22. Regulation of All Motor Vehicles and Engines.- Any imported new or locally-assembled new motor vehicle shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards set pursuant to this Act, as evidenced by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the Department.
Any imported new motor vehicle
engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it
Any imported used motor vehicle
or rebuilt motor vehicle using new or used engines, major parts or
In case of non-compliance, the importer or consignee may be allowed to modify or rebuild the vehicular engine so it will be in compliance with applicable emission standards. No motor vehicle registration (MVR) shall be issued unless such motor vehicle passes the emission testing requirement promulgated in accordance with this Act. Such testing shall be conducted by the DOTC or its authorized inspection centers within sixty (60) days prior to date of registration. The DTI shall promulgate the necessary regulations prescribing the useful life of vehicles and engines including devices in order to ensure that such vehicles will conform to the emissions which they were certified to meet. These regulations shall include provisions for ensuring the durability of emission devices. SEC. 23. Second-Hand Motor Vehicle Engines.- Any imported second-hand motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act. SEC. 24. Pollution from smoking.- Smoking inside a public building or an enclosed public place including public vehicles and other means of transport or in any enclosed area outside of one’s private residence, private place of work or any duly designated smoking area is hereby prohibited under this Act. This provision shall be implemented by the LGUs. SEC. 25. Pollution from other mobile sources.- The Department, in coordination with appropriate agencies, shall formulate and establish the necessary standards for all mobile sources other than those referred to in Sec. 21 of this Act. The imposition of the appropriate fines and penalties from these sources for any violation of emission standards shall be under the jurisdiction of the DOTC.
SEC. 26. Fuels and Additives.-
Pursuant to the Air Quality Framework to be established under Section 7
of this
Act,
the Department of Energy (DOE), co-chaired by the Department of
Environment
and Natural Resources
(DENR),
in consultation with the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the DTI,
the DOST, the representatives
of
the fuel and automotive industries, academe and the consumers shall set
the specifications for all types of
The DOE shall also specify the allowable content of additives in all types of fuels and fuel-related products. Such standards shall be based primarily on threshold levels of health and research studies. On the basis of such specifications, the DOE shall likewise limit the content or begin that phase-out of additives in all types of fuels and fuel-related products as it may deem necessary. Other agencies involved in the performance of this function shall be required to coordinate with the DOE and transfer all documents and information necessary for the implementation of this provision. Consistent with the provisions of the preceding paragraphs under this section, it is declared that:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply, offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce automotive diesel fuel which contains a concentration of sulfur in excess of 0.20% by weight with a cetane number of index of not less than forty-eight (48): Provided, That by year 2004, content of said sulfur shall be 0.05% by weight; and c) not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no Person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply, offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce industrial diesel fuel which contains a concentration of sulfur in excess of 0.30% (by weight).
Every two (2) years thereafter
or as the need arises, the specifications of unleaded gasoline and of
automotive
and industrial diesel
fuels
shall be reviewed and revised for further improvement in formulation
and
in
accordance
with the provisions of this Act.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
The fuels characterized above shall be commercially available. Likewise, the same shall be the reference fuels for emission and testing procedures to be established in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Any proposed additive shall not in any way increase emissions of any of the regulated gases which shall include, but not limited to carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, in order to be approved and certified by the Department.
SEC. 27. Regulation of
Fuels and Fuel Additives.- The DOE, in coordination with the
Department
and the BPS,
shall
regulate the use of any fuel or fuel additive. No manufacturer,
processor
or trader of any fuel or additive
may
import, sell, offer for sale, or introduce into commerce such fuel for
additive unless the same has been
b) Description of the analytical technique that can be used to detect and measure the additive in any fuel; c) Recommended range of concentration; and d) Purpose in the use of the fuel and additive.
SEC. 28. Misfueling.-
In order to prevent the disabling of any emission control device by
lead
contamination, no
person
shall introduce or cause or allow the introduction of leaded gasoline
into
any motor vehicle equipped
with
a gasoline tank filler inlet and labeled “unleaded gasoline only“.
This prohibition shall also apply to any
person
who knows or should know that such vehicle is designed solely for the
use
of unleaded gasoline.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
SEC. 29. Prohibition on Manufacture, Import and Sale of leaded Gasoline and of Engines and/or Components Requiring Leaded Gasoline.- Effective not later than eighteen (18) months after the enactment of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, offer for sale, introduce into commerce, convey or otherwise dispose of, in any manner, leaded gasoline and engines and components requiring the use of leaded gasoline. For existing vehicles, the DTI shall formulate standards and procedures that will allow non-conforming engines to comply with the use of unleaded fuel within five(5) years after the effectivity of this Act. SEC. 30. Ozone-Depleting Substances.- Consistent with the terms and conditions of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and other international agreements and protocols to which the Philippines is a signatory, the Department shall phase out ozone-depleting substances. Within sixty (60) days after the enactment of this Act, the Department shall publish a list of substances which are known to cause harmful effects on the stratospheric ozone layer.
SEC. 31. Greenhouse Gases.-
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service
The Department, together with concerned agencies and local government units, shall prepare and fully implement a national plan consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international agreements, conventions and protocols on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the country. SEC. 32. Persistent Organic Pollutants.- The Department shall, within a period of two (2) years after the enactment of this Act, establish an inventory list of all sources of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the country. The Department shall develop short-term and long-term national government programs on the reduction and elimination of POPs such as dioxins and furans. Such programs shall be formulated within a year after the establishment of the inventory list.
SEC. 33. Radioactive Emissions.-
All projects which will involve the use of atomic and/or nuclear
energy,
and
will
entail release and emission of radioactive substances into the
environment,
incident to the establishment or
possession
of nuclear energy facilities and radioactive materials, handling,
transport,
production, storage, and
use
of radioactive materials, shall be regulated in the interest of public
health and welfare by the Philippine
SEC. 34. Lead Agency.- The Department, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act. To be more effective in this regard, The Department’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) shall be converted from a staff bureau to a line bureau for a period of no more than two (2) years, unless a separate, comprehensive environmental management agency is created. SEC. 35. Linkage Mechanism.- The Department shall consult, participate, cooperate and enter into agreement with other government agencies, or with affected non-governmental (NGOs) or people’s organizations (POs),or private enterprises in the furtherance of the objectives of this Act. SEC. 36. Role of Local Government Units.- Local Government Units (LGUs) shall share the responsibility in the management and maintenance of air quality within their territorial jurisdiction. Consistent with Sections 7, 8 and 9 of this Act, LGUs shall implement air quality standards set by the Board in areas within their jurisdiction; Provided, however, That in case where the board has not been duly constituted and has not promulgated its standards, the standards set forth in this Act shall apply.
The Department shall provide
the LGUs with technical assistance, trainings and a continuing
SEC. 37. Environmental
and Natural Resources Office.- There may be established an
Environment
and Natural
Resources
Office in every province, city, or municipality which shall be headed
by
the environment and natural
resources
officer and shall be appointed by the Chief Executive of every
province,
city or municipality in
accordance
with the provisions of Section 484 of Republic Act No. 7160. Its powers
and duties, among others,
are:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) To provide technical assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities relative to air quality; c) To take the lead in all efforts concerning air quality protection and rehabilitation; d) To recommend to the Board air quality standards which shall not exceed the maximum permissible standards set by rational laws; e) To coordinate with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of measures to prevent and control air pollution; and f) Exercise such other powers and perform such duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance: Provided, however, That in provinces/cities/municipalities where there are no environment and natural resources officers, the local executive concerned may designate any of his official and/or chief of office preferably the provincial, city or municipal agriculturist, or any of his employee: Provided, finally, That in case an employee is designated as such, he must have sufficient experience in environmental and natural resources management, conservation and utilization.
SEC. 38. Record-keeping,
Inspection, Monitoring and Entry by the Department.- The Department
or its duly
accredited
entity shall, after proper consultation and notice, require any person
who owns or operates any
emissions
source or who is subject to any requirement of this Act to:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(b) make relevant reports; (c) install, use and maintain monitoring equipment or methods; (d) sample emission, in accordance with the methods, locations, intervals and manner prescribed by the Department; (e) keep records on control equipment parameters, production variables or other indirect data when direct monitoring of emissions is impractical; and (f) provide such other information as the Department may reasonably require.
Pursuant to this Act, the Department,
through its authorized representatives, shall have the right of:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(b) inspect any
pollution
or waste source, control device, monitoring equipment or method
required;
(c) test any emission.
Any record, report or information
obtained under this section shall be made available to the public,
except
upon a satisfactory
showing
to the Department by the entity concerned that the record, report or
information,
or
parts
thereof, if made public, would divulge secret methods or processes
entitled
to protection as intellectual
property.
Such record, report or information shall likewise be incorporated in
the
Department’s industrial rating
system.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
SEC. 39. Public Education and Information Campaign.- A continuing air quality information and education campaign shall promoted by the Department, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Consistent with Sec. 7 of this Act, such campaign shall encourage the participation of other government agencies and the private sector including NGOs, POs, the academe, environmental groups and other private entities in a multi-sectoral information campaign. SEC. 40. Administrative Action.- Without prejudice to the right of any affected person to file an administrative action, the Department shall, on its own instance or upon verified complaint by any person, institute administrative proceedings against any person who violates:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(b) Any order, rule or regulation issued by the Department with respect to such standard or limitation.
SEC. 41. Citizen Suits.-
For purposes of enforcing the provisions of this Act or its
implementing
rules and
regulations,
any citizen may file an appropriate civil, criminal or administrative
action
in the proper courts
against:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(b) The Department or other implementing agencies with respect to orders, rules and regulations issued inconsistent with this Act; and/or (c) Any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an act specifically enjoined as a duty by this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; or abuses his authority in the performance of his duty; or, in any manner, improperly performs his duties under this Act or its implementing rules and regulations:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Provided, however, That no suit can be filed until thirty-day (30) notice has been taken thereon.
The court shall exempt such
action from the payment of filing fees, except fees for actions not
capable
of
pecuniary
estimations, and shall likewise, upon prima facie showing of the
non-enforcement
or violation
complained
of, exempt the plaintiff from the filing of an injunction bond for the
issuance of a preliminary
injunction.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
Within thirty (30) days, the court shall make a determination if the compliant herein is malicious and/or baseless and shall accordingly dismiss the action and award attorney’s fees and damages. SEC. 42. Independence of Action.- The filing of an administrative suit against such person/entity does not preclude the right of any other person to file any criminal or civil action. Such civil action shall proceed independently. SEC. 43. Suits and Strategic Legal Actions Against Public Participation and the Enforcement of This Act.- Where a suit is brought against a person who filed an action as provided in Sec. 41 of this Act, or against any person, institution or government agency that implements this Act, it shall be the duty of the investigating prosecutor or the court, as the case may be, to immediately make a determination not exceeding thirty (30) days whether said legal action has been filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure or stifle such legal recourses of the person complaining of or enforcing the provisions of this Act. Upon determination thereof, evidence warranting the same, the court shall dismiss the case and award attorney’s fees and double damages. This provision shall also apply and benefit public officers who are sued for acts committed in their official capacity, their being no grave abuse of authority, and done in the course of enforcing this Act. SEC. 44. Lien Upon Personal and Immovable Properties of Violators.- Fines and penalties imposed pursuant to this Act shall be liens upon personal or immovable properties of the violator. Such lien shall, in case of insolvency of the respondent violator, enjoy preference to laborer’s wages under Articles 2241 and 2242 of Republic Act No. 386, otherwise known as the New Civil Code of the Philippines. SEC. 45. Violation of Standards for Stationary Sources.- For actual exceedance of any pollution or air quality standards under this Act or its rules and regulations, the Department, through the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), shall impose a fine of not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for every day of violation against the owner or operator of a stationary source until such time that the standards have been complied with.
For purposes of the application
of the fines, the PAB shall prepare a fine rating system to adjust the
maximum
fine
based on the violator’s ability to pay, degree of willfulness, degree
of
negligence, history of non-compliance
and
degree of recalcitrance: Provided, That in case of negligence, the
first
time offender’s ability to pay may
likewise
be considered by the Pollution Adjudication Board: Provided, further,
That
in the absence of any
extenuating
or aggravating circumstances, the amount of fine for negligence shall
be
equivalent to one-half of
The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by at least ten percent (10%), every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the deterrent function of such fines. In addition to the fines, the PAB shall order closure, suspension of development, construction, or operations of the stationary sources until such time that proper environmental safeguards are put in place: Provided, That an establishment liable for a third offense shall suffer permanent closure immediately. This paragraph shall be without prejudice to the immediate issuance of an ex parte order for such closure, suspension of development or construction, or cessation of operations during the pendency of the case upon prima facie evidence that their is imminent threat to life, public health, safety or general welfare, or to plant or animal life, or whenever there is an exceedance of the emission standards set by the Department and/or the Board and/or the appropriate LGU. SEC. 46. Violation of Standards for Motor Vehicles.- No motor vehicle shall be registered with the DOTC unless it meets the emission standards set by the Department as provided in Sec. 21 hereof.
Any vehicle suspected of
violation of emission standards through visual signs, such as, but not
limited to
smoke-belching,
shall be subjected to an emission test by a duly authorized emission
testing
center. For this
purpose,
the DOTC or its authorized testing center shall establish a roadside
inspection
system. Should it be
shown
that there was no violation of emission standards, the vehicle shall be
immediately released. Otherwise,
a
testing result indicating an exceedance of the emission standards would
warrant the continuing custody of
the
impounded vehicle unless the appropriate penalties are fully paid, and
the license plate is surrendered to
In addition, the driver and operator of the apprehended vehicle shall undergo a seminar on pollution control management conducted by the DOTC and shall also suffer the following penalties:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
b) Second Offense - a
fine
not less than Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00) and not to exceed Four
c) Third offense - one (1) year suspension of the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) and a fine of not less than Four Thousand Pesos (P4,000.00) and not more than Six thousand pesos (P6,000.00).
Any violation of the provisions
of Sec. 21 paragraph (d) with regard to national inspection and
maintenance
program, including
technicians
and facility compliance shall penalized with a fine of not less than
Thirty
Thousand Pesos
(P30,000.00)
or cancellation of license of both the technician and the center, or
both,
as
determined
by the DTI.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
All law enforcement officials and deputized agents accredited to conduct vehicle emissions testing and apprehensions shall undergo a mandatory training on emission standards and regulations. For this purpose, the Department, together with the DOTC, DTI, DOST, Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned agencies and private entities shall design a training program. SEC. 47. Fines and Penalties for Violations of Other Provisions in the Act.- For violations of all other provisions provided in this Act and of the rules and regulations thereof, a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) but not more than One Hundred thousand Pesos (P100,000) or six (6) months to six (6) years imprisonment or both shall be imposed. If the offender is a juridical person, the president, manager, directors, trustees, the pollution control officer or the officials directly in charge of the operations shall suffer the penalty herein provided. SEC. 48. Gross Violations.- In case of gross violation of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations, the PAB shall recommend to the proper government agencies to file the appropriate criminal charges against the violators. The PAB shall assist the public prosecutor in the litigation of the case. Gross violation shall mean:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
[b] three (3) or more
specific
offenses with
[c] blatant disregard of the orders of the PAB, such s but not limited to the breaking of seal, padlocks and other similar devices, or operation despite the existence of an order for closure, discontinuance or cessation of operation; and [d] irreparable or grave damage to the environment as a consequence of any violation of the provisions of this Act.
Offenders shall be punished
with imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than ten
(10) years
at
the discretion of the court. If the offender is a juridical person, the
president, manager, directors, trustees, the
pollution control officer
or
the officials directly in charge of the operations shall suffer the
penalty
herein
provided.cralaw.
SEC. 49. Potential Loss or Shifts of Employment.- The Secretary of Labor is hereby authorized to establish a compensation, retraining and relocation program to assist workers laid off due to a company’s compliance with the provisions of this Act. SEC. 50. Appropriations.- An amount of Seven Hundred Fifty Million Pesos (P750,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act, of which, the amount of Three Hundred Million Pesos (P300,000,000.00) shall be appropriated to the Department; Two Hundred Million Pesos (P200,000,000.00) to the DTI; One Hundred Fifty Million Pesos (P150,000,000.00) to the DOTC; and One Hundred Million Pesos (P100,000,000.00) to the DOE. Thereafter, the amount necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. SEC. 51. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The Department, in coordination with the Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively and other agencies, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for this Act, within one (1) year after the enactment of this Act: Provided, That rules and regulations issued by other government agencies and instrumentalities for the prevention and/or abatement of pollution not inconsistent with this Act shall supplement the rules and regulations issued by the Department pursuant to the provisions of this Act. SEC. 52. Report to Congress.- The Department shall report to Congress, not later than March 30 of every year following the approval of this Act, the progress of the pollution control efforts and make the necessary recommendations in areas where there is need for legislative action. SEC. 53. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.- There is hereby created a joint congressional oversight committee to monitor the implementation of this Act. The committee shall be composed of five (5) senators and five (5) representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, the oversight committee shall be co-chaired by a senator and a representative designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The mandate given to the joint congressional oversight committee under this Act shall be without prejudice to the performance of the duties and functions by the respective existing oversight committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives. SEC. 54. Separability of Provisions.- If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstances is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the application of such provision to other person or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration. SEC. 55. Repealing Clause.- Presidential Decree No. 1181 is hereby repealed. Presidential Decrees Nos. 1152, 1586 and Presidential Decree No. 984 are partly modified. All other laws, orders, issuance, rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 56. Effectivity.-
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its
publication
in the Official
Gazette
or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
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