Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9512)
Republic Act No. 9512 is known as the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008.
The State aims to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology, promoting national awareness on the role of natural resources in economic growth and environmental conservation towards sustained national development.
The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and other relevant agencies.
Environmental education must be integrated at all levels, including public and private schools, barangay daycare, preschool, non-formal, technical vocational, professional level, indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth courses or programs.
It should cover environmental concepts and principles, environmental laws, local and international environmental conditions, threats of environmental degradation, citizen responsibility, conservation, protection, rehabilitation of natural resources, coupled with practical activities like tree planting, waste management, freshwater and marine conservation, forest management, livelihood opportunities and economic benefits related to environmental protection.
CHED and TESDA are required to include environmental education and awareness programs and activities in the NSTP under RA No. 9163, particularly as part of the Civic Welfare Training Service component for all baccalaureate degree and vocational courses of at least two years.
The month of November of every year is declared as Environmental Awareness Month throughout the Philippines.
The DENR has the primary responsibility to periodically inform all concerned agencies on current environmental updates, identify priority environmental education issues for national action, and provide strategic advice on environmental education activities.
The DOST is mandated to create programs ensuring students receive science-based quality information on environmental issues and to encourage development of environment-friendly solutions, devices, equipment, and facilities.
They must undertake nationwide trainings, seminars, workshops on environmental education, develop and produce environmental education materials, conduct teacher-education courses, and related livelihood programs.