UNIVERSITY OF CEBU

SCHOOL OF LAW
BANILAD, CEBU CITY 6000
PHILIPPINES

JD 217 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

1st Semester, SY 2019-2020
Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio

I. International Environmental Law

A. International Environmental Commitments [Article II (Sections 2 and 7), Article VII
(Section 21), Article VIII (Section 5)]
B. Principle 21, Stockholm Declaration and Principle 2, Rio Declaration
C. Key International Environmental Principles: Rio Declaration
1. Intergenerational and Intra-Generational Equity
2. Sustainable Development (Brundtland Report/Our Common Future, Chap.2,
par.2; Sustainable Development Goals)
3. Obligation not to Cause Transboundary Harm
4. Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (Principle 7)
5. Precautionary Principle (Principle 15)
6. Polluter Pays Principles (Principle 16)
7. Access and Benefit Sharing regarding Natural Resources
8. Common Heritage and Common Concern of Humankind
D. Jurisprudence (Selected International Court of Justice Cases)
 Trail Smelter Arbitration (United States v. Canada), Arbitral Trib. 3 U.N. Rep. Int’l
Arb. Awards 1905 (1941)
 Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros Project (Hungary v. Slovakia), 1997 I.C.J. 7
 Southern Bluefin Tuna cases (New Zealand v. Japan; Australia v. Japan), Cases
Nos. 3 and 4 ITLOS (1999)
 MOX Plant Case (Ireland v. United Kingdom), ITLOS Case No 10, ICGJ 343
(ITLOS 2001), 3rd December 2001, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
[ITLOS]
 Case Concerning Pulp Mills on the River Uruguay (Argentina v. Uruguay), 2010
I.C.J. 14
 Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan; New Zealand intervening),
Judgment, ICJ GL No 148, ICGJ 471 (ICJ 2014), 31st March 2014
 Republic of the Philippines v. PRC, Permanent Court of Arbitration Case No.
2013-19 (12 Jul 2016)
E. Class Project: UC-KAS International Environmental Law Moot Court (Sept 24/5)

II. Definitions and Principles

A. Environment
1. Understanding the Concept of Environment
2. PD 1151 (Philippine Environmental Policy)
3. PD 1152 (Philippine Environment Code)
B. Climate change (Watch the video: Before the Flood, National Geographic
Documentary)
1. Introduction to Climate Change
2. Key Concepts: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
3. Addressing Climate Change thru existing environmental statutes
a. Climate Change Act (RA 9729)
b. People’s Survival Fund Act (RA 10174)
c. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(“UNFCCC”)
d. Hyogo Framework for Action
e. Paris Agreement and Philippines’ NDC

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 f.IPCC 2018 Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.50 –
Summary for Policymakers. Retrieved from < https://report.ipcc.ch/
sr15/pdf/sr15_spm_final.pdf>.
g. Inter-American Court of Human Rights -- Advisory Opinion (OC-
23/17)
h. Case Study: Greenpeace, et al. v Exxon, et al. (CHR-NI-2016-
0001) - Petition requesting for investigation of the responsibility of the
Carbon Majors for human rights violations or threats of violations
resulting from the impacts of climate change
C. Natural Resources
1. Article 1 (National Territory)
2. Article XII (National Economy and Patrimony)
a. Regalian Doctrine (Section 2)
b. Classification of Lands of the Public Domain (Section 3)
3. Jurisprudence
 Cariño v. Insular Government, 7 Phil 132 & 212 US 449 (possession
since time immemorial)
 Director of LMB v. CA, 324 SCRA 757 (open, continuous, exclusive,
notorious possession)
 Republic v. Lee, 197 SCRA 13 (state ownership of lands)
 CMU v. Executive Secretary, 631 SCRA 30 (Presidential Proclamation)
 Magallona v. Ermita, GR 187167, 16 July 2011 (PP)
 Secretary of DENR v. Mayor Yap, GR 167707, 8 October 2008 (PP)
 Pineda v. CA, 183 SCRA 602
 Republic v. IAC, 186 SCRA 88
 Director of Forestry v. Villareal, GR No. 32266, February 27, 1989
 Manalo v. IAC, 172 SCRA 795

III. Sources and Foundations of Environmental Law

A. 1987 Constitution
a. Substantive - Right to a Healthy Environment [Articles II (Sections 15 and
16)];
Jurisprudence
 Oposa v. Factoran, et al., 224 SCRA 792, G.R. No. 101083 July 30, 1993
 MMDA, et al v. Residents of Manila Bay, GR Nos 171947-48, 18 Dec
2008
 Resident Dolphins and Mammals of Tanon Strait v. Reyes, GR 180771,
April 21, 2015
b. Procedural Rights - access to information [Art III (Section 7)], public
participation [XIII (Section 16)]
Jurisprudence
 Chavez v. PCGG, G.R. No. 130716, 9 December 1998
 Chavez v. PEA, GR 133250, 9 July 2002
 Senate of the Philippines v. Ermita, G.R. Nos. 169777, 169659, 169660,
169667, 169834, and 171246, 20 April 2006
 US v. Reynolds, 345 U.S. 1 , 73 S. Ct. 528, 97 L.Ed. 727, 32 A.L.R.2d
382 (1953)
 Neri vs. Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and
Investigations, G.R. No. 180643, 4 September 2008
 Akbayan Citizens Action Party vs. Aquino, G.R. No. 170516, 16 July
2008
 Garcia v. Board of Investments, G.R. No. 88637, 7 September 1989
 Valmonte vs. Belmonte, G.R. No. 74930, 13 February 1989
 Legaspi v, CSC, G.R. No. L-721119, 29 May 1987
 Gonzales v. Narvasa, G.R. No. 140835, 14 August 2000

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  Baldoza v. Dimaano, A.M. No. 1120-MJ, 5 May 1976
 Air Philippines Corporation v. Penswell, G.R. No. 172835, 13 December
2007

IV. Environmental Monitoring and Management

A. Environmental Governance
a. Department of Environment and Natural Resources - EO 192 (Creation of DENR)
b. Local Government Units - RA 7160 (Local Government Code)
c. Accountability of Public Officials
- Ombudsman Act – RA 6770; Environmental Ombudsman

B. Environmental Impact Assessment

a. PD 1151 (Philippine Environmental Policy)
b. PD 1586 (Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System)
c. Proclamation 2146 (Environmentally Critical Areas and Projects)
d. DENR AO 2003-30 (EIS Law IRR)
e. DENR MC 2010-14
f. DENR AO 2017-15
Jurisprudence
 Bangus Fry Fisherfolk, et al v. Hon. Lanzanas, et al., GR 131442, July 10, 2003,
405 SCRA 530
 Republic v. City of Davao, GR 148622, 12 September 2002
 Resident Mammals & Dolphins of Tañon Strait (supra.)
 Boracay v. Aklan, GR 196870, 26 June 2012
 Paje v. Casiño, GR 207275, 3 February 2015

C. Case Study: Reclamation

Jurisprudence
 Timoner v. People and CA, 125 SCRA 830
 Calma v. CA and Pleasantville Development Corp., 176 SCRA 555
 Chavez v. PEA-AMARI, 415 SCRA 403

V. Special Laws and International Conventions involving Different Ecosystems

A. LAND – Understanding the Ecosystems and the Laws
a. Protected Areas and Species
1. International Conventions - Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), 1973-03-03;
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992-06-05
2. Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act
(RA 7586, as amended by RA 11038)
Jurisprudence:
 Arigo v. Swift, GR 206510, 16 September 2014
 Resident Mammals & Dolphins (supra.)
3. Wildlife Protection Act (RA 9147)
4. Forestry Reform Code (PD 705)
5. Sustainable Forest Management (EO, dated 9 June 2004)
6. Community-Based Forest Management (DENR AO 96-29)
7. Integrated Forest Management Agreement (DENR AO 99-53)
8. Mangroves (DENR AO 15-90)
Jurisprudence
 RP v. Pagadian City Timber, 565 SCRA 260
 Merida v. People of the Philippines, GR 158182, June 12, 2008, 554
SCRA 366
 Momongan v. Judge Omipon, AM MTJ-93-874, March 14, 1995, 242
SCRA 332
 Provident Tree Farms v. Honorable Batario, GR 92285, March 28,
1994, 231 SCRA 463

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  People v. CFI of Quezon, Branch VII, GR L-46772, February 13,
1992, 206 SCRA 187
 Lagua, et al. v. Cusi, et al., GR L-44649, April 15, 1988, 160 SCRA
260
 Aquino v. People, GR 165448, July 27, 2009, 594 SCRA 50
 Mustang Lumber, Inc. v. CA, GR 104988, June 18, 1996, 257 SCRA
430
 Taopa v. People, GR 184098, November 25, 2008, 571 SCRA 610
 Dagudag v. Paderanga, AM RTJ-06-2017, June 19, 2008, 555 SCRA
217
 Paat v. CA, GR 111107, January 10, 1997, 266 SCRA 197
 Alvarez v. PICOP, GR 162243, November 29, 2006, 508 SCRA 498
 Alvarez v. PICOP, GR 162243, December 3, 2009, 606 SCRA 444
(a) Chainsaw Act (RA 9175)
(b) National Caves Act (RA 9072)
(c) IPRA Law (RA 8371); NCIP AO 01 s. 2006; Constitutional Provisions
(Art. 2, Sec. 22, Art. XII, Sec. 5; Art. XIII, Secs. 1 and 6; Art. XIV, Sec.
17; and Art. XVI, Sec. 12)
Jurisprudence
 Cruz and Europa v. Secretary of Environment and Natural
Resources, G.R. No. 135385, December 6, 2001
 DESAMA v. Gozun, 485 SCRA 586
 Province of North Cotabato v. GRP Peace Panel, GR 183591,
October 14, 2008, 568 SCRA 402
 Alcantara v. DENR,560 SCRA 753
 Lamsis V. Dong-e, GR 173021, October 20, 2010
 City Government of Baguio City v. Masweng, GR 180206, February
4, 2009, 578 SCRA 88
 Unduran, et al. v. Aberasturi, et al., G.R. No. 181284, October 20,
2015
2. Solid Waste Management
(a) Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act (RA 9003, Secs. 1-
47)
(b) Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act (RA
6969, Secs. 2-4)
Jurisprudence
 Province of Rizal, et al. v. Executive Secretary, et al., GR 129546,
December 13, 2005, 477 SCRA 436
 Writ of Kalikasan (CA Special 19th Division, December 15, 2016 –
Inayawan Landfill)
(c) Class Output: Petition for No-Single Use Plastics

3. Minerals
(a) Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942)
(b) Large Scale Mining (DENR AO 2010-21)
(c) Small-Scale Mining (RA 7076)
Jurisprudence
 Miners Association of the Philippines, Inc. v. Factoran (240 SCRA
100, January 16, 1995)
 Asaphil v. Tuason, GR 134030, April 25, 2006, 488 SCRA 126
 Didipio Earthsaver’s Multipurpose Assoc., Inc. v. Environmental
Secretary, GR No. 157882, 30 March 2006
 Republic v. Rosemoor, GR149927, March 30, 2004, 426 SCRA 517
 La Bugal-B’Laan Tribal Association, Inc. v. Victor Ramos, GR No.
127882, January 27, 2004, 421 SCRA 148

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  La Bugal-B’Laan Tribal Association, Inc. v. Victor Ramos, GR No.
127882, December 1, 2004, 445 SCRA 1
 Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company v. WMC Resources, GR
162331, 507 SCRA 315
 Benguet Corp v. DENR, GR163101, February 13, 2008, 545 SCRA
196
 Diamond Drilling Corporation v. Newmont Philippines, Inc., GR
183576, May 30, 2011
 PICOP Resources v. Base Metals, GR 163509, December 6, 2006,
510 SCRA 400

b. AIR
1. Clean Air Act – RA 8749
Jurisprudence
 MMDA v. JANCOM, G.R. No. 147465, January 30, 2002
 Henares v. LTFRB and DOTC, GR 158290, October 23, 2006, 505
SCRA 104
 Mead v. Argel, 115 SCRA 256,G.R. No. L-41958 July 20, 1982
 Pollution Adjudication Board v. CA, 195 SCRA 112, G.R. No. 93891
March 11, 1991
 Technology Developers, Inc. v. CA, 193 SCRA 147, G.R. No. 94759
January 21, 1991) (201 SCRA xi, July 31, 1991
 Rodriguez vs. IAC, GR No. 74816, March 17, 1987
3. Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513)
4. Biofuels Act (RA 9367)

c. WATER
1. Freshwater
(a) Clean Water Act (RA 9275)
(b) DENR AO 2005-10 (IRR of CWA)
(c) Water Code of the Philippines (PD 1067)
(d) Watershed and Ecosystem Management (DENR AO 99-01)
Jurisprudence
 Metro Iloilo Water District v. CA, GR 122855, March 31, 2005,
454 SCRA 249
 BF Northwest Homeowner’s Association v. IAC, GR 72370, May
29, 1987, 234 SCRA 537
 Amistoso v. Ong, GR L-60219, June 29, 1984, 130 SCRA 228
 Loney, et al., v. People of the Philippines, GR 152644, February
10, 2006, 482 SCRA 194
(c) Code of Sanitation (PD 856)
(d) Laguna Lake Development Authority (RA 4850)
Jurisprudence
 Universal Robina Corp. v. LLDA, GR 191427, 30 May 2011
 Public Hearing Committee of LLDA v. SM Prime Holdings, GR
170599, September 22, 2010
 Pacific Steam Laundry v. LLDA, GR 165299, December 18,
2009, 608 SCRA 442
 The Alexandra Condominium Corporation v. LLDA, GR 169228,
September 11, 2009, 599 SCRA 452
 LLDA v. CA, GR 110120, March 16, 1994, 231 SCRA 292
 LLDA v. CA, GR 120865-71, December 7, 1995, 251 SCRA 42

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 2. Oceans and Seas
(a) National Laws
1. Marine Pollution Decree – PD 979
2. Philippine Fisheries Code – RA 8550, as amended by RA 10654
Jurisprudence
 Taño v. Socrates, 278 SCRA 154
 Sea Lion Fishing Corp. v. People, GR 172678, 23 March 2011
 De Guzman v. Escalona, 97 SCRA 619, May 16, 1980
 Republic v. Casino, 5 SCRA 103, May 26, 1962
 Hizon v. CA, 265 SCRA 517, December 13, 1996
 People v. Anito, 95 Phil 865, September 28, 1954
 People v. Cubelo, 106 Phil 496, November 20, 1959
 People v. Lim, G.R. No. L-14432, July 26, 1960
 People v. Vergara, SCRA 624, April 2, 1997
 Roldan v. Arca, 65 SCRA 336 July 25, 1975
 US v. Hernandez, 31 Phil 343 August 26, 1915

VI. Resolving Environmental Issues

A. Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases, A.M. No. 09-6-8-SC, April 13, 2010
B. Remedies from Quasi-Judicial Bodies - Pollution Adjudication Board
Jurisprudence
 Shell Philippines Exploration, B.V., et al. v. Jalos, et al., GR 179918, September
8, 2010
C. Doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies
Jurisprudence
 Universal Robina Corporation v. LLDA, supra.
 Republic v. Lacap, GR No. 158253, March 2, 2007, 517 SCRA 255
d. Criminal Procedure
e. Civil Procedure
a. Citizen’s Suit – RA 8749 (Clean Air Act); RA 9003 (ESWM Act)
b. Legal Standing to Sue
Jurisprudence
 Oposa v. Factoran, supra.
 Didipio Earthsaver’s Multipurpose Assoc., Inc. v. Environmental
Secretary, supra.
 Shell Phils Exploration v. Efren Jalos, et al, GR No. 179918, 8 Sept 2010
 Social Justice Society, et al v. Chevron Phils, et al, GR No. 156052, 7
March 2009
 Francisco Chavez v. NHA, et al, GR No. 164527, 15 Aug 2007
 Hilario Henares, et al v. LTFRB, et al, GR No. 158290, 23 Aug 2006
 MMDA, et al v. Residents of Manila Bay, supra.
 Resident Mammals v Reyes, supra.
f. Special Remedies
a. Writ of Kalikasan and Continuing Mandamus
Jurisprudence
 MMDA vs. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, supra.
 West Tower Condominium Corp. v. FPIC, GR 194239, 16 June 2015
 Hernandez vs. NAPOCOR, GR No. 145328, March 23, 2006
 Arigo v. Swift, supra.
 Dolot v. Paje, GR 199199, 27 August 2013
 Boracay Foundation, Inc. vs. Province of Aklan, supra.
 International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, Inc.
v. Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Philippines), GR 209271, July 26, 2016

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 b. Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO)
Jurisprudence
 West Tower Condominium Corp. vs. First Phil Industrial Corp., supra.

c. Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP)

Schedule of Classes and Reading Assignments

Tuesday Class

Date Topic
8/6 HOLIDAY
8/13 I. International Environmental Law (principles & cases)
8/20 II.A. Definitions and Principles
8/27 II.B. to II.C Definitions and Principles – Natural Resources
9/3 PRELIMS; III.A. Sources and Foundations of Environmental Law – Substantive
Rights
9/10 III.B. Sources and Foundations of Environmental Law – Procedural Rights
9/17 IV. Environmental Monitoring and Management
9/24-25 UC-KAS IELMCC
10/1 MIDTERMS
10/8 V.A.1. Protected areas
10/15 V.A.2. Solid waste management
10/22 V.A.3. Minerals
10/29 V.B. Air
11/5 PREFINALS; V.C.1. Freshwaters
11/12 V.C.2. Oceans and Seas
11/19 VI.A. Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases
11/26 VI.B.-E. Remedies from Quasi-Judicial Agencies t-Civil Procedure
12/3 VI.F. Special Remedies
12/7 FINALS

Saturday Class

Date Topic
8/10 I.A-C. International Environmental Law (principles)
8/17 I.D. International Environmental Law (cases) - II.A. Definitions and Principles
8/24 II.B. to II.C Definitions and Principles – Natural Resources
8/31 III.A. Sources and Foundations of Environmental Law – Substantive Rights
9/7 PRELIM; III.B. Sources and Foundations of Environmental Law – Procedural
Rights
9/14 IV. Environmental Monitoring and Management
9/21 V.A.1. Protected areas
9/24-25 UC-KAS IELMCC
9/28 V.A.2. Solid waste management
10/5 MIDTERMS
10/12 V.A.3. Minerals
10/19 V.B. Air
10/26 V.C.1-2. Freshwaters - Oceans and Seas
11/2 NATIONAL HOLIDAY
11/9 PREFINALS; VI.A. Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases
11/16 VI.B-E. Remedies from Quasi-Judicial Agencies -. Civil Procedure
11/23 VI.F. Special Remedies
11/30 NATIONAL HOLIDAY
12/7 FINALS

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