Republic Act No. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
Republic Act No. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
Albert P. Aquino and Aleta Belissa D. Correa
Introduction
As an archipelago, the Philippines is surrounded with water. It ranks fourth with the longest coastline in the world measuring 36,289 km (22,559 miles) while its water area covers 1,830 sq km (The World Factbook). The country’s water resources have played a significant role in its development. However, some development efforts, combined with the rising demands of the ever-increasing population, have caused damage to these water resources. In response, a law was signed to “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” (Section 2).
Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9275 titled “An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Water Quality Management and for Other Purposes”, also known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (CWA), was signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 22, 2004. It took effect on May 6, 2004, with its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) contained in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 2005-10.
Coverage
The law applies to water quality management in all water bodies. It primarily applies to the abatement and control of pollution from land-based sources. The water quality standards and regulations and the civil liability and penal provisions under the law shall be enforced irrespective of sources of pollution (Section 3).
In addition to regulating pollution of water bodies, DENR shall formulate and apply standards for the transport and disposal of effluent, sewage and septage offsite, whether offshore or on land as well as disposal of individual wastewater on land. The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall develop guidelines for re-use of wastewater for irrigation purposes or as soil conditioner or fertilizer (Rule 3.1).
Institutional mechanism
Albert P. Aquino and Aleta Belissa D. Correa
Introduction
As an archipelago, the Philippines is surrounded with water. It ranks fourth with the longest coastline in the world measuring 36,289 km (22,559 miles) while its water area covers 1,830 sq km (The World Factbook). The country’s water resources have played a significant role in its development. However, some development efforts, combined with the rising demands of the ever-increasing population, have caused damage to these water resources. In response, a law was signed to “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” (Section 2).
Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9275 titled “An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Water Quality Management and for Other Purposes”, also known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (CWA), was signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 22, 2004. It took effect on May 6, 2004, with its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) contained in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 2005-10.
Coverage
The law applies to water quality management in all water bodies. It primarily applies to the abatement and control of pollution from land-based sources. The water quality standards and regulations and the civil liability and penal provisions under the law shall be enforced irrespective of sources of pollution (Section 3).
In addition to regulating pollution of water bodies, DENR shall formulate and apply standards for the transport and disposal of effluent, sewage and septage offsite, whether offshore or on land as well as disposal of individual wastewater on land. The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall develop guidelines for re-use of wastewater for irrigation purposes or as soil conditioner or fertilizer (Rule 3.1).
Institutional mechanism