PROCLAMATION NO. 615 DECLARING THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE AS THE - TopicsExpress



          

PROCLAMATION NO. 615 DECLARING THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE AS THE NATIONAL BIRD OF THE PHILIPPINES WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to conserve and develop our patrimony and to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful environment in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature; WHEREAS, the Philippine Eagle is the best biological indicator of the quality of our forest ecosystems and is the flagship species in the conservation of Philippine wildlife; WHEREAS, the Philippine Eagle, scientifically known as the Pithecophaga jafferyi, is a natural treasure found only in the Philippines and as such has become a source of national pride; WHEREAS, the Philippine Eagle, whose uniqueness, strength, power, and love for freedom, exemplifies the Filipino people; WHEREAS, the Philippine Eagle offers immense ecological, aesthetic, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the Philippines and the Filipino people; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, hereby proclaim and declare the Philippine Eagle as the National Bird of the Philippines. Pursuant hereto, all government offices, agencies, and instrumentalities are hereby enjoined to ensure the proper conservation, protection, preservation, and management of the Philippine Eagle. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is hereby directed to secure the viability of the existing Philippine Eagle population by: 1. Establishing sanctuaries in areas where the Philippine Eagle is known to exist; 2. Promoting the participation of local communities in the management of the Philippine Eagle’s habitat through stewardship agreements or providing them access to the DENR’s community based programs; 3. Accelerating and expanding field research and monitoring activities on the Philippine Eagle; and 4. Promoting public awareness and education on the Philippine Eagle. IN WITNESS HEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed. DONE in the City of Manila, this 4th day of July, in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Five. PROCLAMATION NO. 1030 DECLARING THE PHILIPPINE TARSIER (TARSIUS SYRICHTA) AS A SPECIALLY PROTECTED FAUNAL SPECIES OF THE PHILIPPINES WHEREAS, the Tarsius syrichta, commonly known as the Philippine Tarsier, is an endemic species found in the southeastern part of the Philippine archipelago, particularly on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao; WHEREAS, the Philippine Tarsier offers immense ecological, aesthetic, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the country and to the Filipino people; WHEREAS, the preservation of the Philippine Tarsier is a matter of national concern since it forms part of the Philippines’ heritage; WHEREAS, the Philippine Tarsier is vanishing due to unabated destructive activities within its known habitats; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, do hereby proclaim and declare the Philippine Tarsier as a Specially Protected Faunal Species of the Philippines. In pursuit thereof, the hunting, killing, wounding, taking away or possession of the Philippine Tarsier and the conduct of activities destructive of its habitats are hereby prohibited. However, the possession of the Philippine Tarsier for educational, scientific or conservation-centered research purposes may be allowed upon certification by the DENR Secretary. To ensure the effective enforcement of this prohibition, the DENR is hereby directed to spearhead the undertaking of all activities leading to the establishment of appropriate sanctuaries to preserve and protect the species, as prescribed under the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1991. The DENR is also tasked to collaborate with other concerned government agencies, NGOs, local government units and local communities in the conduct of accelerated and expanded field researches and to avail of financial support and technical cooperation from local and international entities, as may be deemed necessary to implement the provisions of this Proclamation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed. DONE in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven. DAO No. 381 Philippines laws have declared the tarsier as a specially protected animal species by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1030 and Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order (DAO) No.381 This small mammal is considered as highly vulnerable species that is threatened by habitat destruction and/ or hunting. The Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc. has established a conservation program in Bohol that has set up a tarsier sanctuary to protect, study, and breed this animal and to educate the young and tourists about the need to conserve and protect natural habitats. Republic Act No. 8749 June 23, 1999 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL POLICY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:: Chapter 1 General Provisions Article One Basic Air Quality Policies Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. Section 2. Declaration of Principles. - The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State shall promote and protect the global environment to attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems. The State recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based. The State also recognizes the principle that polluters must pay. Finally, the State recognizes that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should, therefore, be the concern of all. Section 3. Declaration of Policies. - The State shall pursue a policy of balancing development and environmental protection. To achieve this end, the frame work for sustainable development shall be pursued. It shall be the policy of the State to: (a) Formulate a holistic national program of air pollution management that shall be implemented by the government through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities; (b) Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries through the application of market-based instruments; (c) Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on control and provide for a comprehensive management program for air pollution; (d) Promote public information and education and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in air quality planning and monitoring; and (e) Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project, program or activity. This shall include the setting up of a funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and environmental rehabilitation and compensation for personal damages. Section 4. Recognition of Rights. - Pursuant to the above-declared principles, the following rights of citizens are hereby sought to be recognized and the State shall seek to guarantee their enjoyment: (a) The right to breathe clean air; (b) The right to utilize and enjoy all natural resources according to the principles of sustainable development; (c) The right to participate in the formulation, planning, implementation and monitoring of environmental policies and programs and in the decision-making process; (d) The right to participate in the decision-making process concerning development policies, plans and programs projects or activities that may have adverse impact on the environment and public health; (e) The right to be informed of the nature and extent of the potential hazard of any activity, undertaking or project and to be served timely notice of any significant rise in the level of pollution and the accidental or deliberate release into the atmosphere of harmful or hazardous substances; (f) The right of access to public records which a citizen may need to exercise his or her rights effectively under this Act; (g) The right to bring action in court or quasi-judicial bodies to enjoin all activities in violation of environmental laws and regulations, to compel the rehabilitation and cleanup of affected area, and to seek the imposition of penal sanctions against violators of environmental laws; and (h) The right to bring action in court for compensation of personal damages resulting from the adverse environmental and public health impact of a project or activity. Article Two Definition of Terms Section 5. Definitions. - As used in this Act: a) Air pollutant means any matter found in the atmosphere other than oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and the inert gases in their natural or normal concentrations, that is detrimental to health or the environment, which includes but not limited to smoke, dust, soot, cinders, fly ash, solid particles of any kind, gases, fumes, chemical mists, steam and radio-active substances; b) Air pollution means any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmospheric air, or any discharge thereto of any liquid, gaseous or solid substances that will or is likely to create or to render the air resources of the country harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety or welfare or which will adversely affect their utilization for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate purposes; c) Ambient air quality guideline values mean the concentration of air over specified periods classified as short-term and long-term which are intended to serve as goals or objectives for the protection of health and/or public welfare. These values shall be used for air quality management purposes such as determining time trends, evaluating stages of deterioration or enhancement of the air quality, and in general, used as basis for taking positive action in preventing, controlling, or abating air pollution; d) Ambient air quality means the general amount of pollution present in a broad area; and refers to the atmospheres average purity as distinguished from discharge measurements taken at the source of pollution; e) Certificate of Conformity means a certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to a vehicle manufacturer/assembler or importer certifying that a particular new vehicle or vehicle type meets the requirements provided under this Act and its rules and regulations; f) Department means the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; g) Eco-profile means the geographic-based instrument for planners and decision-makers which present an evaluation of the environmental quality and carrying capacity of an area. It is the result of the integration of primary and secondary data and information on natural resources and anthropogenic activities on the land which are evaluated by various environmental risk assessment and forecasting methodologies that enable the Department to anticipate the type of development control necessary in the planning area; h) Emission means any air contaminant, pollutant, gas stream or unwanted sound from a known source which is passed into the atmosphere; i) Greenhouse gases mean those gases that can potentially or can reasonably be expected to induce global warming, which include carbon dioxide, methane, oxides of nitrogen, chlorofluorocarbons, and the like; j) Hazardous substances mean those substances which present either: (1) short-term acute hazards such as acute toxicity by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption, corrosivity or other skin or eye contact hazard or the risk of fire explosion; or (2) longterm toxicity upon repeated exposure, carcinogenicity (which in some cases result in acute exposure but with a long latent period), resistance to detoxification process such as biodegradation, the potential to pollute underground or surface waters; k) Infectious waste means that portion of medical waste that could transmit an infectious disease; l) Medical waste means the materials generated as a result of patient diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals; m) Mobile source means any vehicle propelled by or through combustion of carbon-based or other fuel, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property goods; n) Motor vehicle means any vehicle propelled by a gasoline or diesel engine or by any means other than human or animal power, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property or goods in a public highway or street open to public use; o) Municipal waste means the waste materials generated from communities within a specific locality; p) New vehicle means a vehicle constructed entirely from new parts that has never been sold or registered with the DOTC or with the appropriate agency or authority, and operated on the highways of the Philippines, any foreign state or country; q) Octane Rating or the Anti-Knock Index(AKI) means the rating of the anti-knock characteristics of a grade or type of automotive gasoline as determined by dividing by two (2) the sum of the Research Octane Number (RON), plus the Motor Octane Number (MON); the octane requirement, with respect to automotive gasoline for use in a motor vehicle or a class thereof, whether imported, manufactured, or assembled by a manufacturer, shall refer to the minimum octane rating of such automotive gasoline which such manufacturer recommends for the efficient operation of such motor vehicle, or a substantial portion of such class, without knocking; r) Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) means those substances that significantly deplete or otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely to result in adverse effects of human health and the environment such as, but not limited to, chloroflourocarbons, halons and the like; s) Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) means the organic compounds that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. These compounds resist photolytic, chemical and biological degradation, which shall include but not be limited to dioxin, furan, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, such as aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, hexachlorobenzene, lindane, toxaphere and chlordane; t) Poisonous and toxic fumes means any emissions and fumes which are beyond internationally - accepted standards, including but not limited to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values; u) Pollution control device means any device or apparatus used to prevent, control or abate the pollution of air caused by emissions from identified pollution sources at levels within the air pollution control standards established by the Department; v) Pollution control technology means the pollution control devices, production process, fuel combustion processes or other means that effectively prevent or reduce emissions or effluent; w) Standard of performance means a standard for emissions of air pollutant which reflects the degree of emission limitation achievable through the application of the best system of emission reduction, taking into account the cost of achieving such reduction and any non-air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirement which the Department determines, and adequately demonstrates; and x) Stationary source means any building or immobile structure, facility or installation which emits or may emit any air pollutant. Chapter 2 Air Quality Management System Article One General Provisions Section 6. Air Quality Monitoring and Information Network. - The Department shall prepare an annual National Air Quality Status Report which shall be used as the basis in formulating the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework, as provided for in Sec. 7. The said report shall include, but shall not be limited to the following: a) Extent of pollution in the country, per type of pollutant and per type of source, based on reports of the Department’s monitoring stations; b) Analysis and evaluation of the current state, trends and projections of air pollution at the various levels provided herein; c) Identification of critical areas, activities, or projects which will need closer monitoring or regulation; d) Recommendations for necessary executive and legislative action; and e) Other pertinent qualitative and quantitative information concerning the extent of air pollution and the air quality performance rating of industries in the country. The Department, in cooperation with the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), shall design and develop an information network for data storage, retrieval and exchange. The Department shall serve as the central depository of all data and information related to air quality. Section 7. Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework. - The Department shall within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, establish, with the participation of LGUs, NGOs, POs, the academe and other concerned entities from the private sector, formulate and implement the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework for a comprehensive air pollution management and control program. The framework shall, among others, prescribe the emission reduction goals using permissible standards, control strategies and control measures to undertaken within a specified time period, including cost-effective use of economic incentives, management strategies, collective actions, and environmental education and information. The Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework shall be adopted as the official blueprint with which all government agencies must comply with to attain and maintain ambient air quality standards. Section 8. Air Quality Control Action Plan. - Within six (6) months after the formulation of the framework, the Department shall, with public participation, formulate and implement an air quality control action plan consistent with Sec. 7 of this Act. The action plan shall: a) Include enforceable emission limitations and other control measures, means or techniques, as well as schedules and time tables for compliance, as may be necessary or appropriate to meet the applicable requirements of this Act; b) Provide for the establishment and operation of appropriate devices, methods, systems and procedures necessary to monitor, compile and analyze data on ambient air quality; c) Include a program to provide for the following: (1) enforcement of the measures described in subparagraph [a]; (2) regulation of the modification and construction of any stationary source within the areas covered by the plan, in accordance with land use policy to ensure that ambient air quality standards are achieved; d) Contain adequate provisions, consistent with the provisions of this Act, prohibiting any source or other types of emissions activity within the country from emitting any air pollutant in amounts which will significantly contribute to the non-attainment or will interfere with the maintenance by the Department of any such ambient air quality standard required to be included in the implementation plan to prevent significant deterioration of air quality or to protect visibility; e) Include control strategies and control measures to be undertaken within a specified time period, including cost effective use of economic incentives, management strategies, collection action and environmental education and information; f) Designate airsheds; and g) All other measures necessary for the effective control and abatement of air pollution. The adoption of the plan shall clarify the legal effects on the financial, manpower and budgetary resources of the affected government agencies, and on the alignment of their programs with the plans. In addition to direct regulations, the plan shall be characterized by a participatory approach to the pollution problem. The involvement of private entities in the monitoring and testing of emissions from mobile and/or stationary sources shall be considered. Likewise, the LGU’s, with the assistance from the Department, shall prepare and develop an action plan consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework to attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards within their respective airsheds as provided in Sec. 9 hereof. The local government units shall develop and submit to the Department a procedure for carrying out the action plan for their jurisdiction. The Department, however, shall maintain its authority to independently inspect the enforcement procedure adopted. The Department shall have the power to closely supervise all or parts of the air quality action plan until such time the local government unit concerned can assume the function to enforce the standards set by the Department. A multi-sectoral monitoring team with broad public representation shall be convened by the Department for each LGU to conduct periodic inspections of air pollution sources to assess compliance with emission limitations contained in their permits. Section 9. Airsheds. - Pursuant to Sec. 8 of this Act, the designation of airsheds shall be on the basis of, but not limited to, areas with similar climate, meteorology and topology which affect the interchange and diffusion of pollutants in the atmosphere, or areas which share common interest or face similar development programs, prospects or problems. For a more effective air quality management, a system of planning and coordination shall be established and a common action plan shall be formulated for each airshed. To effectively carry out the formulated action plans, a Governing Board is hereby created, hereinafter referred to as the Board. The Board shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as chairman. The members shall be as follows: a) Provincial Governors from areas belonging to the airshed; b) City/Municipal Mayors from areas belonging to the airshed; c) A representative from each concerned government agency; d) Representatives from people’s organizations; e) Representatives from non-government organizations; and f) Representatives from the private sector. The Board shall perform the following functions: a) Formulation of policies; b) Preparation of a common action plan; c) Coordination of functions among its members; and d) Submission and publication of an annual Air Quality Status Report for each airshed. Upon consultation with appropriate local government authorities, the Department shall, from time to time, revise the designation of airsheds utilizing eco-profiling techniques and undertaking scientific studies. Emissions trading may be allowed among pollution sources within an airshed. Section 10. Management of Non-attainment Areas. - The Department shall designate areas where specific pollutants have already exceeded ambient standards as non-attainment areas. The Department shall prepare and implement a program that will prohibit new sources of exceeded air pollutant without a corresponding reduction in existing resources. In coordination with other appropriate government agencies, the LGUs shall prepare and implement a program and other measures including relocation, whenever necessary, to protect the health and welfare of residents in the area. For those designated as nonattainment areas, the Department, after consultation with local government authorities, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and concerned sectors may revise the designation of such areas and expand its coverage to cover larger areas depending on the condition of the areas. Section 11. Air Quality Control Techniques. - Simultaneous with the issuance of the guideline values and standards, the Department, through the research and development program contained in this Act and upon consultation with appropriate advisory committees, government agencies and LGUs, shall issue, and from time to time, revise information on air pollution control techniques. Such information shall include: (a) Best available technology and alternative methods of prevention, management and control of air pollution; (b) Best available technology economically achievable which shall refer to the technological basis/standards for emission limits applicable to existing, direct industrial emitters of nonconventional and toxic pollutants; and (c) Alternative fuels, processes and operating methods which will result in the eliminator or significant reduction of emissions. Such information may also include data relating to the cost of installation and operation, energy requirements, emission reduction benefits, and environmental impact or the emission control technology. The issuance of air quality guideline values, standards and information on air quality control techniques shall be made available to the general public: Provided, That the issuance of information on air quality control techniques shall not be construed as requiring the purchase of certain pollution control devices by the public. Section 12. Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values and Standards. - The Department, in coordination with other concerned agencies, shall review and or revise and publish annually a list of hazardous air pollutants with corresponding ambient guideline values and/or standard necessary to protect health and safety, and general welfare. The initial list and values of the hazardous air pollutants shall be as follows: Republic Act No. 9275 March 22, 2004 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE 1 DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall pursue a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent with the protection, preservation and revival of the quality of our fresh, brackish and marine waters. To achieve this end, the framework for sustainable development shall be pursued. As such, it shall be the policy of the State: a) To streamline processes and procedures in the prevention, control and abatement of pollution of the countrys water resources; b) To promote environmental strategies, use of appropriate economic instruments and of control mechanisms for the protection of water resources; c) To formulate a holistic national program of water quality management that recognizes that water quality management issues cannot be separated from concerns about water sources and ecological protection, water supply, public health and quality of life; d) To formulate an integrated water quality management framework through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities; e) promote commercial and industrial processes and products that are environment friendly and energy efficient; f) To encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries through the application of incentives and market-based instruments and to promote the role of private industrial enterprises in shaping its regulatory profile within the acceptable boundaries of public health and environment; g) To provide for a comprehensive management program for water pollution focusing on pollution prevention; h) To promote public information and education and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in water quality management and monitoring; i) To formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project, program or activity; and j) To encourage civil society and other sectors, particularly labor, the academe and business undertaking environment-related activities in their efforts to organize, educate and motivate the people in addressing pertinent environmental issues and problems at the local and national levels. SECTION 3. Coverage of the Act. - This Act shall apply to water quality management in all water bodies: Provided, That it shall primarily apply to the abatement and control of pollution from land based sources: Provided, further, That the water quality standards and regulations and the civil liability and penal provisions under this Act shall be enforced irrespective of sources of pollution. ARTICLE 2 DEFINITION OF TERMS SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: a) Aquifer - means a layer of water-bearing rock located underground that transmits water in sufficient quantity to supply pumping wells or natural springs. b) Aquatic life - means all organisms living in freshwater, brackish and marine environment. c) Beneficial use - means the use of the environment or any element or segment thereof conducive to public or private welfare, safety and health; and shall include, but not be limited to, the use of water for domestic, municipal, irrigation, power generation, fisheries, livestock raising, industrial, recreational and other purposes. 1. Use of water for domestic purposes - means the utilization of water for drinking, washing, bathing, cooking or other household needs, home gardens and watering of lawns or domestic animals; 2. Use of water for municipal purposes - means the utilization of water for supplying water requirements of the community; 3. Use of water for irrigation - means the utilization of water for producing agricultural crops; 4. Use of water for power generation - means the utilization of water for producing electrical or mechanical power; 5. Use of water for fisheries - means the utilization of water for the propagation of culture of fish as a commercial enterprise; 6. Use of water for livestock raising - means the utilization of water for large herds or flocks of animals raised as a commercial enterprise; 7. Use of water for industrial purposes - means the utilization of water in factories, industrial plants and mines, including the use of water as an ingredient of a finished product; and 8. Use of water for recreational purposes - means the utilization of water for swimming pools, bath houses, boating, water skiing, golf courses and other similar facilities in resorts and other places of recreation. d) Classification/Reclassification of Philippine Waters - means the categorization of all water bodies taking into account, among others, the following: (1) existing quality of the body of water; (2) size, depth, surface area covered, volume, direction, rate of flow and gradient of stream; (3) most beneficial existing and future use of said bodies of water and lands bordering them, such as for residential, agricultural, aquacultural, commercial, industrial, navigational, recreational, wildlife conservation and aesthetic purposes; and (4) vulnerability of surface and groundwater to contamination from pollutive and hazardous wastes, agricultural chemicals and underground storage tanks of petroleum products. e) Civil Society - means non-government organizations (NGOs) and peoples organizations (POs). f) Cleaner Production - means the application of an integrated, preventive environmental strategy to processes, products, services to increase efficiency and reduce risk to humans and the environment; g) Clean-up operations - means activities involving the removal of pollutants discharged or spilled into a water body and its surrounding areas, and the restoration of the affected areas to their former physical, chemical and biological state or conditions. h) Contamination - means the production of substances not found in the natural composition of water that make the water less desirable or unfit desirable or unfit for intended use. i) Department - means the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. j) Discharge includes, but is not limited to, the act of spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, releasing or dumping of any material into a water body or onto land from which it might flow or drain into said water. k) Drinking water- means water intended for human consumption or for use in food preparation. l) Dumping - means any unauthorized or illegal disposal into any body of water or land of wastes or toxic or hazardous material: Provided, That it does not mean a release of effluent coming from commercial, industrial, and domestic sources which are within the effluent standards. m) Effluent - means discharge from known sources which is passed into a body of water or land, or wastewater flowing out of a manufacturing plant, industrial plant including domestic, commercial and recreational facilities. n) Effluent standard - means any legal restriction or limitation on quantities, rates, and/or concentrations or any combination thereof, of physical, chemical or biological parameters of effluent which a person or point source is allowed to discharge into a body of water or land. o) Environmental management - means the entire system which includes, but is not limited to, conservation, regulation and minimization of pollution, clean production, waste management, environmental law and policy, environmental education and information, study and mitigation of the environmental impacts of human activity, and environmental research. p) Environmental management system - means the part of the overall management system that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environment policy. q) Freshwater - means water containing less than 500 ppm dissolved common salt, sodium chloride, such as that in groundwater, rivers, ponds and lakes. r) Groundwater - means a subsurface water that occurs beneath a water table in soils and rocks, or in geological formations. s) Groundwater vulnerability - means relative ease with which a contaminant located at or near the land surface can migrate to the aquifer or deep well. t) Groundwater vulnerability map - means the identified areas of the land surface where groundwater quality is most at risk from human activities and shall reflect the different degrees of groundwater vulnerability based on a range of soil properties and hydro geological criteria to serve as guide in the protection of the groundwater from contamination. u) Hazardous waste - means any waste or combination of wastes of solid liquid, contained gaseous, or semi-solid form which cause, of contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness, taking into account toxicity of such waste, its persistence and degradability in nature, its potential for accumulation or concentration in tissue, and other factors that may otherwise cause or contribute to adverse acute or chronic effects on the health of persons or organism. v) Industrial waste - means any solid, semi-solid or liquid waste material with no commercial value released by a manufacturing or processing plant other than excluded material. w) Integrated Water Quality Management Framework - means the policy guideline integrating all the existing frameworks prepared by all government agencies contain the following; water quality goals and targets; (b) period of compliance; (c) water pollution control strategies and techniques; (d) water quality information and education program; (e) human resources development program. x) Margin - means a landward and outer limiting edge adjacent to the border of any water bodies or a limit beyond where beyond where saturation zone ceases to exist. y) National Water Quality Status Report - means a report to be prepared by the Department indicating: a) the location of water bodies, their quality, taking into account seasonal, tidal and others variations, existing and potential uses and sources of pollution per specific pollutant and pollution load assessment; b) water quality management areas pursuant to Section 5 of this Act; c) and water classification. z) Non-point source - means any source of pollution not identifiable as point source to include, but not be limited to, runoff from irrigation or rainwater, which picks up pollutants from farms and urban areas. aa) Point source - means any identifiable source of pollution with specific point of discharge into a particular water body. bb) Pollutant- shall refer to any substance, whether solid, liquid, gaseous or radioactive, which directly or indirectly: (i) alters the quality of any segment of the receiving water body to affect or tend to affect adversely any beneficial use thereof; (ii) is hazardous or potential hazardous to health; (iii) imparts objectionable odor, temperature change, or physical, chemical or biological change to any segment of the water body; or (iv) is in excess of the allowable limits, concentrations, or quality standards specified, or in contravention of the condition, limitation or restriction prescribed in this Act. cc) Pollution control technology- means pollution control devices or apparatus, processes, or other means that effectively prevent control or reduce pollution of water caused by effluents and other discharges, from any point source at levels within the water pollution standards. dd) Potentially infectious medical waste- include isolation wastes, infectious agents, human blood and blood products, pathological wastes, sharps, body parts, contaminated bedding, surgical wastes, and other disposable medical equipment and material that may pose a risk to the public health, welfare or the marine environment. ee) Secretary - means the Secretary of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR). ff) Septage - means the sludge produced on individual onsite wastewater disposal systems, principally septic tanks and cesspools. gg) Sewage - means water-borne human or animal wastes, excluding oil or oil wastes, removed from residences, building, institutions, industrial and commercial establishments together with such groundwater, surface water and storm water as maybe present including such waste from vessels, offshore structures, other receptacles intended to receive or retain waste or other places or the combination thereof. hh) Sewerage - includes, but is not limited to, any system or network of pipelines, ditches, channels, or conduits including pumping stations, lift stations and force mains, service connections including other constructions, devices, and appliances appurtenant thereto, which includes the collection, transport, pumping and treatment of sewage to a point of disposal. ii) Sludge - means any solid, semi-solid or liquid waste or residue generated from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or water control pollution facility, or any other such waste having similar characteristics and effects. jj) Surface water - means all water, which is open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff. kk) Treatment - means any method, technique, or process designed to alter the physical, chemical or biological and radiological character or composition of any waste or wastewater to reduce or prevent pollution. ll) Toxic amount - means the lowest amount of concentration of toxic pollutants, which may cause chronic or long-term acute or lethal conditions or effects to the aquatic life, or health of persons or which may adversely affect designated water uses. mm) Waste - means any material either solid, liquid, semisolid, contained gas or other forms resulting industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural operations, or from community and household activities that is devoid of usage and discarded. nn) Wastewater - means waste in liquid state containing pollutants. oo) Water body - means both natural and man-made bodies of fresh, brackish, and saline waters, and includes, but is not limited to, aquifers, groundwater, springs, creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, lagoons, water reservoirs, lakes, bays, estuarine, coastal and marine waters. Water bodies do not refer to those constructed, developed and used purposely as water treatment facilities and / or water storage for recycling and re-use which are integral to process industry or manufacturing. pp) Water Pollution - means any alteration of the physical, chemical, biological, or radiological properties of a water body resulting in the impairment of its purity or quality. qq) Water Quality - means the characteristics of water, which define its use in characteristics by terms of physical, chemical, biological, bacteriological or radiological characteristics by which the acceptability of water is evaluated. rr) Water quality guidelines - means the level for a water constituent or numerical values of physical, chemical, biological and bacteriological or radiological parameters which are used to classify water resources and their use, which does not result in significant health risk and which are not intended for direct enforcement but only for water quality management purposes, such as determining time trends, evaluating stages of deterioration or enhancement of the water quality, and as basis for taking positive action in preventing, controlling or abating water pollution. ss) Water Quality Management Area Action Plan - includes, but not be limited to, the following: (a) goals and targets including sewerage or septage program, (b) schedule of compliance to meet the applicable requirements of this Act; (c) water pollution control strategies or techniques; (d) water quality information and education program; e) resource requirement and possible sources; f) enforcement procedures of the plan and (g) rewards and incentives under Chapter 4 of this Act.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:51:40 +0000

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