Policy, purpose, and state goals
- Section 1 declares it a continuing policy of the State to: (a) create, develop, maintain, and improve conditions where man and nature thrive in productive and enjoyable harmony; (b) fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Filipinos; and (c) insure the attainment of environmental quality conducive to a life of dignity and well-being.
- Section 2 requires Government responsibility, in cooperation with concerned private organizations and entities, to use all practicable means consistent with other essential considerations of national policy to promote the general welfare.
- Section 2 directs the Nation to: (a) recognize, discharge, and fulfill each generation’s responsibilities as trustee and guardian of the environment for succeeding generations; (b) assure a safe, decent, healthful, productive and aesthetic environment; (c) encourage the widest exploitation of the environment without degrading it or endangering human life, health and safety or creating adverse conditions to agriculture, commerce, and industry; (d) preserve important historic and cultural aspects of Philippine heritage; (e) attain a rational and orderly balance between population and resource use; and (f) improve utilization of renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Section 3 recognizes the right of the people to a healthful environment and imposes on each individual a duty and responsibility to contribute to preservation and enhancement of the Philippine environment.
Scope of environmental impact statements
- Section 4 requires all agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, to prepare, file, and include environmental impact statements in covered actions, projects, or undertakings.
- Section 4 also covers private corporations, firms, and entities that undertake actions, projects, or undertakings that significantly affect the quality of the environment.
- Section 4 makes the environmental impact statement a “detailed statement” that must be prepared, filed, and included in every action, project or undertaking that significantly affects environmental quality.
- Section 4 conditions completion of the statement and agency processing on jurisdictional comments from other agencies having jurisdiction or special expertise.
Required content and substantive standards
- Section 4 requires each environmental impact statement to include a detailed statement on the environmental impact of the proposed action, project, or undertaking.
- Section 4 requires the statement to include any adverse environmental effect that cannot be avoided if the proposal is implemented.
- Section 4 requires inclusion of alternatives to the proposed action.
- Section 4 requires a determination that the short-term uses of environmental resources are consistent with maintaining and enhancing the long-term productivity of those resources.
- Section 4 requires that when a proposal involves the use of depletable or non-renewable resources, a finding must be made that the use and commitment are warranted.
Lead agency comments and submission timelines
- Section 4 requires that before an environmental impact statement is issued by the lead agency, all agencies having jurisdiction over or special expertise on the subject matter must comment on the draft environmental impact statement prepared by the lead agency.
- Section 4 sets a deadline for those comments: within thirty (30) days from receipt of the draft environmental impact statement.
- Section 4 requires the lead agency’s issuance of the environmental impact statement to occur after these comments are made by the concerned agencies within the set period.
Agency guidelines and implementation duties
- Section 5 directs the different agencies charged with environmental protection, as enumerated in Letter of Instruction No. 422, to submit implementation materials to the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC).
- Section 5 requires submission of each agency’s respective guidelines, rules and regulations to carry out Section 4 on environmental impact assessments and statements.
- Section 5 sets the deadline for submission: within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of Presidential Decree No. 1151.
- Section 5 ties the agencies’ compliance directly to operationalizing the environmental impact assessment and statement requirements under Section 4.
Repeal and effectivity
- Section 6 repeals, amends, or modifies all Acts, Presidential Decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with Presidential Decree No. 1151.
- Section 7 provides that Presidential Decree No. 1151 takes effect immediately.