Policy and purpose
- The State shall promote national awareness on the role of natural resources in economic growth and the importance of environmental conservation and ecological balance toward sustained national development (Section 2).
- The State’s policy is consistent with protecting and advancing the public right to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature (Section 2).
- The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and the role of education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development (Section 2).
Scope of environmental education
- DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and DSWD, in coordination with DENR, DOST, and other relevant agencies, shall integrate environmental education in school curricula at all levels in public or private schools (Section 3).
- Environmental education integration covers barangay daycare, preschool, non-formal, technical vocational, professional level, indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth courses or programs (Section 3).
- Environmental education shall encompass environmental concepts and principles, environmental laws, and the state of international and local environment (Section 3).
- Environmental education shall include local environment best practices, the threats of environmental degradation and its impact on human well-being, and the responsibility of the citizenry to the environment (Section 3).
- Environmental education shall include the value of conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of natural resources and the environment in the context of sustainable development (Section 3).
- Environmental education shall include both theoretical and practicum modules, including activities, projects, and programs such as tree planting; waste minimization, segregation, recycling and composting; freshwater and marine conservation; and forest management and conservation (Section 3).
- Environmental education shall also include relevant livelihood opportunities and economic benefits, and other programs and undertakings that aid implementation of different environmental protection laws (Section 3).
National service training inclusion
- CHED and TESDA shall include environmental education and awareness programs and activities in the National Service Training Program under Republic Act No. 9163 (Section 4).
- Environmental education and awareness under Section 4 shall be part of the Civic Welfare Training Service component required for all baccalaureate degree courses and vocational courses with a curriculum of at least two (2) years (Section 4).
Environmental Awareness Month
- The month of November of every year shall be known as the “Environmental Awareness Month” throughout the Philippines (Section 5).
Interagency and multi-sectoral effort
- The DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR, DOST, and other relevant agencies shall lead in implementing public education and awareness programs on environmental protection and conservation through collaborative interagency and multi-sectoral effort at all levels (Section 6).
- Implementation under Section 6 shall be done in consultation with experts on the environment and the academe (Section 6).
- DENR shall have the primary responsibility of periodically informing all agencies concerned on current environmental education issues for national action and providing strategic advice on environmental education activities (Section 6).
- DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR, DOST, DSWD, and barangay units shall ensure that DENR’s information is disseminated to the subject students (Section 6).
- DOST is mandated to create programs ensuring students receive science-based quality information on environmental issues to encourage the development of environment-friendly solutions, devices, equipment, and facilities (Section 6).
Capacity-building measures
- DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, in coordination with DENR and other relevant agencies, shall undertake capacity-building programs nationwide (Section 7).
- Capacity-building programs include trainings, seminars, workshops on environmental education, and development and production of environmental education materials (Section 7).
- Capacity-building includes teacher-education courses and related livelihood programs (Section 7).
Repeal and separability
- All laws, executive orders, presidential issuances, rules and regulations, and any parts thereof inconsistent with RA No. 9512 are repealed or modified accordingly (Section 8).
- All other acts, laws, executive orders, presidential issuances, rules and regulations, and any parts thereof inconsistent with RA No. 9512 are repealed or modified accordingly (Section 9).