University of San Jose Recoletos

School of Law
COURSE OUTLINE: ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
Objective:
At the end of the course, students will be able to internalize environmental
principles, survey and learn the myriad of Philippine environmental laws,
rules and regulations as well as Philippine jurisprudence on cases related to
the environment.
PART I. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW PRINCIPLES
1. RIO PRINCIPLES (Rio Declaration on Environment & Development of 1992)
2. CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES & THEORIES
a. Carrying Capacity
b. Biophilia
c. Doctrine of Hard Look
d. Theory on Standstill or Non-Regression
3. OTHER ECOLOGY PRINCIPLES
4. Major International Environmental Laws and Jurisprudence
PART II. MAJOR PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
1. Forestry Code of the Philippines (PD 705 as amended)
2. Water Code of the Philippines (PD 1067 as amended)
3. Fisheries Code (RA 8550)
4. Clean Air Act (RA 8749)
5. Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003)
6. Clean Water Act (RA 9275)
7. NIPAS (RA 7586)
8. Wildlife Law (RA 9174)
9. Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485)
10.Environmental Impact Assessment Law & Rules (PD 1586)
11.Energy Laws (Renewable Energy Act, EPIRA, Biofuels Act)
PART III. RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CASES (AM 09-6-8-SC)
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Rationale of the Rules

Ordinary Environmental Civil Action
Citizens Suit
Special Civil Action on Writ of Kalikasan
Special Civil Action on Writ of Continuing Mandamus
Provisional Remedies
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP)
Environmental Criminal Procedure
Environmental Rules of Evidence (Precautionary Principle)

PART IV. LAW ON NATURAL RESOURCES

1. General Concepts

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Constitutional Limitations on Jura Regalia

Public Land Act (C.A. 141)
Miscellaneous Sales Patent (RA 730 as amended)
Free Patents to Residential Lands (RA 10023)
Philippine Mining Laws & Rules (RA 7942, RA 7076)
Coal & Petroleum Laws (PD 972, PD 387 as amended by PD 87)
Reclamation Laws
Cases and Jurisprudence

PART V. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW JURISPRUDENCE

1. La Bugal-Blaan Tribal Assn v. Ramos, G.R. 127882, Jan. 27, 2004 & Feb. 1,
2005
2. Lepanto Consolidated Mining v. Dumyung, G.R. Nos. L-31666-68, Apr. 30,
1979
3. Miners Association of the Phil v. Factoran, 240 SCRA 100
4. Tano v. Socrates, G.R. No. 110249, Aug. 21, 1997
5. Tatel v. Mun. of Virac, G.R. No. 40243, March 11, 1992
6. Technology Developers v. CA, 193 SCRA 147
7. Ysmael Jr. & Co. v. Dep. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 79538, Oct. 18,
1990
8. Maddumba v. GSIS, G.R. No. 61293, Feb. 15, 1990
9. Metro Manila Development Authority, et al. v. Concerned Residents of
Cavite, G.R. No. 171947, Dec. 18, 2008
10.Africa v. Caltex, GR No. 12986, March 31, 1996
11.Army and Navy Club v. CA, GR 110223, April 8, 1997
12.Assn of Small Landowners v. Secretary, 175 SCRA 343
13.Cruz, et. al. v. Secretary, GR No. 135385, Dec. 6, 2000
14.Daywalt v. Recoletos, GR No. 13505, Feb. 4, 1919
15.De Guzman v. Escalona, 97 SCRA 619 (May 16, 1980)
16.Filinvest Credit Corp. v. IAC, 166 SCRA 15 (Sept. 30, 1988)
17.Garcia v. Corona, GR No. 132451, Dec. 17, 1999
18.Hizon v. CA, 265 SCRA 517 (Dec. 13, 1996)
19.Joya, et. al. v. PCGG, GR No. 96541, Aug. 24, 1993
20.LLDA v. CA, GR No. 110120, Dec. 7, 1995
21.Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS, G.R. No. 122156, Feb. 3, 1997
22.Manosca v. CA, GR No. 106440, Jan. 29, 1996
23.Mead v. Argel, 115 SCRA 256
24.Nuclear Free Philippines Coalition v. NPC, GR No. L-68474, Feb. 11, 1986
25.Mustang Lumber v. CA, GR No. 104988, June 18, 1996
26.Oposa v. Factoran, 224 SCRA 792 (July 10, 1993)
27.Pollution Adjudication Board v. CA, 195 SCRA 112
28.Sangalang v. IAC, 168 SCRA 634
29.Santulan v. Executive Secretary, GR No. L-28021, Dec. 15, 1997
30.La Bugal-Blaan Tribal Assn v. Ramos, G.R. 127882, Jan. 27, 2004 & Feb. 1,
2005
31.Lepanto Consolidated Mining v. Dumyung, G.R. Nos. L-31666-68, Apr. 30,
1979
32.Miners Association of the Phil v. Factoran, 240 SCRA 100
33.Tano v. Socrates, G.R. No. 110249, Aug. 21, 1997
34.Tatel v. Mun. of Virac, G.R. No. 40243, March 11, 1992
35.Technology Developers v. CA, 193 SCRA 147

36.Ysmael Jr. & Co. v. Dep. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 79538, Oct. 18,
1990
37.Maddumba v. GSIS, G.R. No. 61293, Feb. 15, 1990
38.Province of Rizal v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 129546, Dec. 13, 2005
39.Prof. Magallona v. Ermita, G.R No. 187167, August 16, 2011
40.Henares v. LTFRB, G.R. No. 158290, October 23, 2006
41.Heirs of Atty. Reyes v. Republic, G.R. No. 150862, August 3, 2006
42.Boracay Foundation v. Province of Aklan, G.R. No. 196870, June 26, 2012
43.Shell v. Jalos, G.R. No. 179918, September 8, 2010
44.Alvarez v. PICOP, G.R. No. 162243, December 3, 2009
Methodologies:
Problem-based class discussion, oral recitation, written reports, lecturesynthesis, video presentation, site immersion-field trip and actual environmental
advocacy work.
References:
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A Legal Arsenal for the Philippine Environment by A. Oposa

Annotated Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases
Sourcebook on Environmental Rights & Legal Remedies (UNDP)
Law on Natural Resources by Pena.