The Philippine government seeks to strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws across the country with the establishment of Green Justice Zones.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Usec. Lord Villanueva stressed on on Wednesday, November 8, that the Philippines has "very developed environmental laws".
These laws include Republic Act No. 6969, also known as the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act; RA 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act; RA 8749, also known as the Philippine Clean Air Act; and RA 9275, also known as the Philippine Clean Water Act.
"These laws have very significant penalties. Kung may paglabag sa environmental laws, meron kaakibat iyon na kaso na pwedeng ma-file," Villanueva said during DILG sa DZRH Breaktime.
Villanueva mentioned that RA 9275 penalizes violators with up to 12 years of imprisonment if they commit irreversible contaimination of surface, ground, coastal and marine water.
Meanwhile, individuals who violate the RA 8749 could face up to six years of imprisonment based on the damage done to the environment.
"Gustong palakasin ng DILG at ng Justice Sector Coordinating Council ang enforcement nito para mas ma-protect ang ating government," Villanueva said.
The first-ever Green Justice Zone of the Philippines rose on Friday, November 10 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
"It will be the very first Green Justice Zone not only in the Philippines but in the entire Asia-Pacific Region," said Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh on Wednesday.
Singh explained that the government chose Puerto Princesa due to the underground river, as well as the large collection of marine flora, fauna, and coral reefs in the area.
"Napakahalaga na pangunahan ng Puerto Princesa itong efforts na ito towards climate justice and climate preservation," she added.
Singh also stressed that barangays in Puerto Princesa will have an important task in ensuring the enforcement of environmental laws
"Napakalawak ng forest areas, protected areas natin pero ilan lang ang ating forest rangers. Hindi nila ma-cover, practically hindi nila ma-monitor yung lahat ng nangyayari," the Supreme Court Justice said.
"With the barangays, with our community leaders, kayang-kaya natin gawin iyan. Kaya yung mga program natin sa ating Green Justice Zone, number one diyan ang ating community," she added.
Singh assured that the government will establish other Green Justice Zones across the Philippines.
"Gusto sana natin ang buong Pilipinas ay Green Justice Zone. Gusto natin maipagmalaki na ang buong country is a Green Zone, na talagang pinapangalagaan natin ang environment natin," Sing said.
However, Singh said that government will prioritze other tourist destinations.
"Iyan ang pinagmamalaki natin sa buong mundo, iyan ang nakakapagdala ng income sa ating bayan, sa ating mga tao, mga mamayan kaya gusto natin pagandahin at maging mas kaayaaya doon sa mga bibisita sa atin," she explained.
Singh revealed plans to expand the Green Justice Zone of Puerto Princesa City to cover the whole of Palawan by 2024.
She also hopes that the establishment of the Green Justice Zone will resolve the problem of wildlife trafficking, and illegal logging in the province of Palawan.
