Policy and purpose
- Section 2 affirms the State’s policy to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
- Section 2 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 directs the State to promote national awareness on the role of natural resources in economic growth and the importance of environmental conservation and ecological balance for sustained national development.
Environmental education in curricula
- Section 3 directs the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with DENR, DOST, and other relevant agencies, to integrate environmental education in school curricula at all levels, whether public or private.
- Section 3 covers integration in barangay daycare, preschool, non-formal learning, technical vocational, professional level, indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth courses or programs.
- Section 3 requires environmental education to encompass environmental concepts and principles, environmental laws, and the state of international and local environment.
- Section 3 requires inclusion of local environmental best practices, threats of environmental degradation and its impact on human well-being, the responsibility of the citizenry to the environment, and the value of conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of natural resources and the environment in the context of sustainable development.
- Section 3 requires both theoretical and practicum modules that include activities, projects, programs, including tree planting; waste minimization, segregation, recycling and composting; freshwater and marine conservation; forest management and conservation; relevant livelihood opportunities and economic benefits; and other programs and undertakings supporting environmental protection law implementation.
National service training integration
- Section 4 requires CHED and TESDA to include environmental education and awareness programs and activities in the National Service Training Program under Republic Act No. 9163.
- Section 4 treats environmental education within the National Service Training Program as part of the Civic Welfare Training Service component.
- Section 4 makes this Civic Welfare Training Service component required for all baccalaureate degree courses and vocational courses with a curriculum of at least two (2) years.
Environmental Awareness Month
- Section 5 declares that the month of November of every year shall be known as the “Environmental Awareness Month” throughout the Philippines.
Interagency and multi-sectoral effort
- Section 6 mandates DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR, DOST, and other relevant agencies, in consultation with experts on the environment and the academe, to lead public education and awareness programs on environmental protection and conservation through collaborative interagency and multi-sectoral efforts at all levels.
- Section 6 assigns DENR the primary responsibility of periodically informing all agencies concerned on current environmental updates.
- Section 6 requires DENR, within those periodic updates, to identify priority environmental education issues for national action and provide strategic advice on environmental education activities.
- Section 6 requires DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR, DOST, DSWD, and barangay units to ensure dissemination of DENR’s information to the subject students.
- Section 6 mandates DOST to create programs that ensure students receive science-based quality information on environmental issues to encourage environment-friendly solutions, devices, equipment, and facilities.
Capacity-building and environmental materials
- Section 7 requires DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, in coordination with DENR and other relevant agencies, to undertake capacity-building programs nationwide.
- Section 7 identifies capacity-building activities to include trainings, seminars, workshops on environmental education, development, and production of environmental education materials.
- Section 7 requires inclusion of teacher-education courses and related livelihood programs.
Separability; repeal; effect of inconsistency
- Section 8 provides a separability rule: if any part, section, or provision is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions are not affected.
- Section 9 provides a repealing rule: all other acts, laws, executive orders, presidential issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with Republic Act No. 9512 are repealed or modified accordingly.
Integration references and consolidation
- Section 4 expressly ties environmental education integration into the National Service Training Program to Republic Act No. 9163.
- The Act states it is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1699 and House Bill No. 4381, and that it was finally passed on October 8, 2008.