PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1151

PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

WHEREAS,the individual and, at times, conflicting, demands of population growth, urbanization,
rapid natural resources utilization and increasing technological advances have resulted in a piecemeal-
approach concept of environmental protection;
WHEREAS, such tunnel-vision concept is not conducive to the attainment of an ideal environmental
situation where man and nature can thrive in harmon with one another; and
WHEREAS, there is now an urgent need to formulate an intensive, integrated program of
environmental protection that will bring about a concerted effort towards the protection of the entire
spectrum of the environment through a re!uirement of environmental impact assessments and
statements"
#$W, %HERE&$RE,', &ER('#A#( E) *AR+$S, ,resident of the ,hilippines, b virtue of the
powers vested in me b the +onstitution, do hereb order and decree"
SECTION 1. ,olic)--- 't is hereb declared a continuing polic of the State
-a. to create, develop, maintain and improve conditions under which man and nature can thrive in
productive and en/oable harmon with each other,
-b. to fulfill the social,economic and other re!uirements of present and future generations of &ilipinos,
and
-c. to insure the attainment of an environmental !ualit that is conducive to a life of dignit and well-
being)
SEC. 2. 0oal)--- 'n pursuing this polic, it shall be the responsibilit of the 0overnment, in
cooperation with concerned private organizations and entities, to use all practicable means, consistent
with other essential considerations of national polic, in promoting the general welfare to the end that
the #ation ma
-a. recognize, discharge and fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee and guardian of the
environment for succeeding generations,
-b. assure the people of a safe, decent, healthful, productive and aesthetic environment,
-c. encourage the widest e1ploitation of the environment without degrading it, or endangering human
life,health and safet or creating conditions adverse to agriculture, commerce and industr,
-d. preserve important historic and cultural aspects of the ,hilippine heritage,
-e. attain rational and orderl balance between population and resource use, and
-f. improve the utilization of renewable and non-renewable resources)
SEC.3. Right to a Health Environment)--- 'n furtherance of these goals and policies, the 0overnment
recognizes the right of the people to a healthful environment) 't shall be the dut and responsibilit of
each individual to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the ,hilippine environment)
SEC. 4. Environmental 'mpact Statements)--- ,ursuant to the above enunciated policies and goals, all
agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or controlled
corporations, as well as private corporations firms and entities shall prepare, file and include in ever
action, pro/ect or underta2ing which significantl affects the !ualit of the environment a detailed
statement on---
-a. the environment impact of the proposed action, pro/ect and underta2ing)
-b. an adverse environmental effect which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented;
-c. alternative to the proposed action;
-d. a determination that the short-term uses of the resources of the environment are consistent with the
maintenance and enhancement of the long- term productivit of the same; and
-e. whenever a proposal involve the use of depletable or non-renewable resources, a finding must be
made that such use and commitment are warranted) 3efore an environmental impact statement is
issued b a lead agenc, all agencies having /urisdiction over,or special e1pertise on, the sub/ect matter
involved shall comment on the draft environmental impact statement made b the lead agenc within
thirt -45. das from receipt of the same)
SEC. 5. Agenc 0uidelines)--- %he different agencies charged with environmental protection as
enumerated in 6etter of 'nstruction #o) 788 shall, within si1t -95. das from the effectivit of this
(ecree, submit to the #ational Environmental ,rotection +ouncil -#E,+., their respective guidelines,
rules and regulations to carr out the provisions of Sec) 7 hereof on environmental impact assessment
and statements)
SEC. 6. Repealing +lause)--- All Acts, ,residential (ecree, e1ecutive orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this (ecree are hereb repealed, amended
or modified accordingl)
SEC. 7. Effectivit)--- %his (ecree shall ta2e effect immediatel)
(one in the cit of *anila this 9th da of :une in the ear of our 6ord, nineteen hundred and
sevent-seven)