Chapter 3: Introduction to Environmental and Occupational Health

Presentation of Contents
 Environmental and Occupational Health

Environmental Health
Encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental
factors that can potentially affect health.
Targeted towards preventing disease and creating health
supportive environment.
Addresses all the physical, mental, and biological factors external to
a person and all related factors impacting behaviour.

Concerns of Environmental health

Environmental Health addresses all human health related aspect of
both natural and built environment. Environmental health concerns include: ◦
Climate change and its effects on health
◦ Disaster preparedness and response
◦ Air quality and indoor and outdoor quality
◦ Body arts safety including tattooing, piercing and permanent cosmetics
Food safety including agriculture transportation and food processing
Hazardous material including hazardous waste contaminated sites
remediation and prevention of leaks from underground storage tanks and the
prevention of hazardous material releases to the environment and responses
to emergency situation resulting from such releases.

Occupational Health
Deals with all aspect of health and safety in the workplace and has a
strong focus on primary prevention of hazards.
The health of the workers has several determinants, including risks
factors at the workplace leading to cancers, accidents, musculoskeletal
disease, respiratory diseases, hearing loss, circulatory diseases, stress related
disorders and communicable diseases and others.
Employment and working conditions in the formal and informal economy
embrace other important determinants, including working hours, salary,
workplace policies concerning maternity leave, health promotion and protection
provisions.

Environmental and Occupational Health Programs under

DOH Water and Sanitation Program
Occupational Health
Environmental Health Risk Assessment concerning Toxic and
Hazardous Chemicals/Substances
Health Care Waste Management Program
Climate Change
SALINTUBIG Program
Water Safety Plan Project
Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage
National Search for Barangay with Best Sanitation Practices
 Sustainable Sanitation for East Asia Program-Philippines

Water and Sanitation Program

The Water and Sanitation Program is one of the main programs undertaken
by the Department. Provision of safe drinking water and clean sanitation facilities
and commonly includes the following: construction of water tanks; drilling of bore
wells; water management training; laying of water pipeline; construction and
renovation of toilets, bathrooms, drainage, septic tanks and garbage disposal;
provision of water filtration tanks and treatment plants like Reverse Osmosis plant
(RO), etc.

Occupational Health
The program addresses the incidence of occupational diseases and work
related diseases and injuries among workers through health promotion and
protection in all workplaces. It initially focuses on public health workers and
informal sectors workers including, but not limited to those in agriculture, transport
and small scale mining. It aims to improve workers’ access to basic occupational
health services at the local level.

Health Care Waste Management Program

Government and private hospitals, clinics, infirmaries and other healthcare
facilities being licensed by the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (BHFS)
are included in this program. The program coverage starts from waste generation,
segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and up to final disposal.

SALINTUBIG Program
The Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat Program (SALINTUBIG) is one of
the government’s main action in addressing the plight of Filipino households in
such areas.
The program aims to contribute to the attainment of the goal of providing
potable water to the entire country and the targets defined in the Philippine
Development Plan 2011-2016 Millennium Development Goals (MDG), and the
Philippine Water Supply Sector Roadmap and the Philippine Sustainable Sanitation
Roadmap.

Water Safety Plan Project

The water safety plan (WSP), according to WHO, is the most effective means of
maintaining a safe supply of drinking water for the citizenry. The plan analyzes
the risks of contamination, from the water source to the consumer. At any given
point of risk, appropriate control measures are then put in place.

Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage

Waste of protecting water from contamination during handling, transport and
storage:
always use clean water containers provided with cover
wash containers after every use
 clean and disinfect storage tanks at least every quarter
avoid hand contact with during transport
National Search for Barangay with Best Sanitation Practices Part of DOH’s
advocacy is the holding of annual event of NSBBSP o give recognition to the
local government units the barangay level that have demonstrated exemplary
contributions in obtaining our targets under the Millennium Development Goals in
Water and Sanitation for reduction of number of households without sanitary
toilets. It also gives recognition to barangays that have demonstrated good
practices on its programs and projects on environmental sanitation.
The search is aimed to raise awareness on the importance of sanitation;
encourage governments of promote and implement policies and actions to
meet sanitation target; and mobilize communities towards changing sanitation
and hygiene practices through sanitation-health-education campaigns.

Environmental Health Program

Environmental Sanitation
It is the prevention and control of diseases by eliminating or controlling the
environmental factors which may form links in disease transmission.
Components of Environmental Sanitation
Water Supply Sanitation
Solid Waste Management
Food Sanitation
Insect and Vermin Control
Excreta and Sewerage Disposal
Housing and Public Places Sanitation
Environmental Protection
Hospital Waste Management

Water Supply Sanitation (Based on PD856 of 1998):

Level I (Point Source) – protected well or developed spring with an outlet
but without a distribution system (15-25 HH; not more than 250 meters from the
farthest user; 40-140 liters per minute)
Level II (communal Faucet System or Stand-Post) – system composed of
reservoir, piped distribution network and communal faucets (located not more
than 25meters form the farthest house)
Level III (waterworks system or Individual House Connections)

Excreta and Sewage Disposal

Toilet Facilities
◦ Level I – non-water carriage toilet facility (pit latrines, cat-hole method); toilet
requiring small amount of water (pour-flush toilet and aqua privies) ◦ Level II –
on-site toile facilities of the water carriage type with water sealed or flush type with
septic tank disposal facilities
◦ Level III – water carriage types of toilet facilities connected to septic tank
and/or sewerage system to treatment plant
◦
Food Sanitation Program
 Inspection/approval of all food sources, containers and transport
vehicle Compliance to Sanitary Permit requirements for all food
establishments Provision of updated health certificate for food handlers
Destruction or banning of food unit for human consumption
Food Sanitation Program
Food Establishment shall be rated and classified as follows: ◦
Class A – Excellent
◦ Class B – Very satisfactory
◦ Class C – Satisfactory
Regulation of ambulant food vendors

Household food sanitation (through IEC activities)

Hospital Waste Management

All newly constructed/authorized and existing government and private
hospitals shall prepare and private hospitals shall prepare and implement
HWM Program as a requirement of registration/renewal of licenses
The use of appropriate technology and indigenous resources
Training of all hospitals personnel in HWM
Public information campaign on health hazards and nosocomial
infection Incinerators should not be used anymore (Clean Air Act)

Occupational Health Programs

Framework on the National Program on Chemical Safety Management and
National Action Plan (2012)
National action and Implementation Plan for the National Chemical Safety
Management Program (2013)
Posting in DOH Website Emergency Hotlines for Poisoning Cases/Incidents
Technical Assistance in the establishment of Poison Control and Information
Centers in DOH-retained and specially hospitals
Technical assistance and funding support on the following publication: ◦
Implementing Rules and Regulations on Chapter VII – Industrial Hygiene of the
Sanitation Code of the Philippines, Amending Administrative Order No. 111 s.
1991
◦ Standard Treatment Guidelines for Occupational Poisoning (1997) ◦
Occupational Toxicology Manual on the Management of Geothermal
Operations (1998)
◦ Occupational Toxicology Manual on the Management of Pesticide Poisoning
(1998)
◦ Policies and Guidelines in Effective and Proper Handling, Collection,
Transport, Treatment, Storage and Disposal of Health Care Wastes, Joint
Administrative Order No. 02 Series of 2005
◦ Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (2007)
◦ Manual of Technical Guidelines in the Management of Toxic Substance
Exposures at the Field Level (2009)
◦ Training Module on Occupational Health and Safety for Hospital workers
(2009)
 ◦ National Profile on Chemical Management (2011)
◦ Standard Treatment Guidelines and Algorithms in the Management of Metal
Intoxication (2012)
◦ National Asbestos Profile (2013)
◦ Lason sa Ginto (2015)
◦ Occupational Health and Safety Profile of the Philippines (2015)

Policies and Laws

1961, Administrative Order No. 63 “ Industrial Hygiene Code”
1975, Presidential Decree No. 856 Code on Sanitation of the Philippines
(Chapter 7 – Industrial Hygiene)
1987, Philippine Constitution of 1987 (Article 2, Section 15)
2008, Joint Administrative Order between DTI–DENR-DE-DOF-DOH-DILG
DOLE-DOTC No. 01 “The Adoption and Implementation of the Globally
Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)”
2012, DOH Administrative Order No. 2012-0020 “Guidelines Governing the
Occupational Health and Safety of Public Health Workers”
2013, DOH Administrative Order No.2013-0018 “ National Occupational
Health Policy for the Informal Mining, Transport and Agricultural Sectors” 2013,
DOH Administrative Order No.2013-0009 “National Chemical Safety
Management and Toxicology Policy”
2013, DOH Department Personnel Order No.2013-3584 “Designation of
Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries as Heads of Technical and
Operations Cluster for Kalusugang Pangkalahatan, the Occupational Health and
Safety Committee for the Department of Health and other attached agencies

REPUBLIC ACT No. 8749

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
POLICY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Article 1 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.
Section 3. Declaration of Policies. - The State shall pursue a policy of
balancing development and environmental protection. To achieve this end, the
framework for sustainable development shall be pursued.
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.

Chapter 2 Air Quality Management System

Article 1 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 Section 7.
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 be undertaken within a specified time period, including cost-effective
use of economic incentives, management strategies, collective action, and
environmental education and information.
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 Section 7
of this Act.
Section 9. Air-sheds. - Pursuant to Section 8 of this Act, the designation of
air-sheds 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.
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 sources.
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 the
appropriate advisory committees, government agencies and LGUs, shall issue,
and from time to time, revise information on air pollution control techniques.

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 public health and
safety, and general welfare.
Section 13. Emission Charge System. - The Department, in case of industrial
dischargers, and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC),
in case of motor vehicle dischargers, shall, based on environmental techniques,
design, impose on and collect regular emission fees from said dischargers as part
of the emission permitting system or vehicle registration renewal system, as the
case may be. The system shall encourage the industries, and motor vehicles to
abate, reduce, or prevent pollution. The basis of the fees include, but is not limited
to, the volume and toxicity of any emitted pollutant. Industries, which shall install
pollution control devices or retrofit their existing facilities with mechanisms that
reduce pollution shall be entitled to tax incentives such as but not limited to tax
credits and/or accelerated depreciation deductions.
Section 14. Air Quality Management Fund. - An Air Quality Management
Fund to be administered by the Department as a special account in the National
Treasury is hereby established to finance containment, removal, and clean-up
operations of the Government in air pollution cases, guarantee restoration of
ecosystems and rehabilitate areas affected by the acts of violators of this Act, to
support research, enforcement and monitoring activities and capabilities of the
relevant agencies, as well as to provide technical assistance to the relevant
agencies. Such fund may likewise be allocated per airshed for the undertakings
herein stated.
Section 15. Air Pollution Research and Development Program. - The
Department, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), other agencies, the private sector, the academe, NGOs and POs, shall
establish a National Research and Development Program for the prevention and
control of air pollution. The Department shall give special emphasis to research on
and the development of improved methods having industry-wide application for the
prevention and control of air pollution.

Article 2 Air Pollution Clearances And Permits For Stationary Sources

Section 16. Permits. - Consistent with the provisions of this Act, the
Department shall have the authority to issue permits as it may determine
necessary for the prevention and abatement of air pollution.
Said permits shall cover emission limitations for the regulated air pollutants to
help attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards. These permits shall
serve as management tools for the LGUs in the development of their action
plan.
Section 17. Emission Quotas. - The Department may allow each regional
industrial center that is designated as special airshed to allocate emission quotas
to pollution sources within its jurisdiction that qualify under an environmental impact
assessment system programmatic compliance program pursuant to the
implementing rules and regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1586.
Section 18. Financial Liability for Environmental Rehabilitation. - As part of
the environmental management plan attached to the environmental compliance
certificate pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1586 and rules and regulations set
therefor, the Department shall require program and project proponents to put up
financial guarantee mechanisms to finance the needs for emergency response,
clean-up or rehabilitation of areas that may be damaged during the program or
project's actual implementation. Liability for damages shall continue even after the
termination of a program or project, where such damages are clearly attributable to
that program or project and for a definite period to be determined by the
Department and incorporated into the environmental compliance certificate.

Article 3 Pollution From Stationary Sources

Section 19. Pollution From Stationary Sources. - The Department shall, within
two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, and every two (2) years thereafter,
review, or as the need therefor arises, revise and publish emission standards, to
further improve the emission standards for stationary sources of air pollution. Such
emission standards shall be based on mass rate of emission for all stationary
sources of air pollution based on internationally-accepted standards, but not be
limited to, nor be less stringent than such standards and with the standards set
forth in this section. The standards, whichever is applicable, shall be the limit on
the acceptable level of pollutants emitted from a stationary source for the
protection of the public's health and welfare.
Section 20. Ban on Incineration. - Incineration, hereby defined as the
burning of municipal, bio-medical and hazardous wastes, which process emits
poisonous and toxic fumes, is hereby prohibited: Provided, however, That the
prohibition shall not apply to traditional small-scale method of
community/neighborhood sanitation "siga", traditional, agricultural, cultural, health,
and food preparation and crematoria.

Article 4 Pollution From Motor Vehicles

Section 21. Pollution from Motor Vehicles. - The DOTC shall implement the
emission standards for motor vehicles set pursuant to and as provided in this Act.
To further improve the emission standards, the Department shall review, revise and
publish the standards every two (2) years, or as the need arises. It shall consider
the maximum limits for all major pollutants to ensure substantial improvement in air
quality for the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
Section 22. Regulation of All Motor Vehicles and Engines. - Any
imported new or locally-assembled new motor vehicle shall not be registered
unless it complies with the emission standards set pursuant to this Act, as
evidenced by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the Department.
Section 23. Second-Hand Motor Vehicle Engines. - Any imported
secondhand motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or
used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act. Article
5 Pollution From Other Sources
Section 24. Pollution from Smoking. - Smoking inside a public building or an
enclosed public place including public vehicles and other means of transport or in
any enclosed area outside of one's private residence, private place of work or any
duly designated smoking area is hereby prohibited under this Act. This provision
shall be implemented by the LGUs.
Section 25. Pollution from Other Mobile Sources: - The Department, in
coordination with appropriate agencies, shall formulate and establish the necessary
standards for all mobile sources other than those referred to in Section 21 of this
Act. The imposition of the appropriate fines and penalties from these sources for
any violation of emission standards shall be under the jurisdiction of the DOTC.

Chapter 3 Fuels, Additives, Substances And Pollutants

Article 1 Fuels, Additives And Substances
Section 26. Fuels and Additives. - Pursuant to the Air Quality Framework to be
established under Section 7 of this Act, this Department of Energy (DOE), co
chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in
consultation with the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the DTI, the DOST, the
representatives of the fuel and automotive industries, academe and the consumers
shall set specifications for all types of fuel and fuel-related products, to improve fuel
composition for increased efficiency and reduced emissions: Provided, however,
That the specifications for all types of fuel and fuelrelated products set-forth
pursuant to this section shall be adopted by the BPS as Philippine National
Standards (PNS).
Section 27. Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives. - The DOE, in
coordination with the Department and the BPS, shall regulate the use of any fuel or
fuel additive. No manufacturer, processor or trader of any fuel or additive may
import, sell, offer for sale, or introduce into commerce such fuel or additive unless
the same has been registered with the DOE.
Section 28. Misfuelling. - In order to prevent the disabling of any emission
control device by lead contamination, no person shall introduce or cause or allow
the introduction of leaded gasoline into any motor vehicle equipped with a
gasoline tank filler inlet and labeled "unleaded gasoline only". This prohibition shall
also apply to any person who knows or should know that such vehicle is designed
solely for the use of unleaded gasoline.
Section 29. Prohibition on Manufacture, Import and Sale of Leaded
Gasoline and of Engines and/or Components Requiring Leaded Gasoline. -
Effective not later than eighteen (18) months after the enactment of this Act, no
person shall manufacture, import, sell, offer for sale, introduce into commerce,
convey or otherwise dispose of, in any manner leaded gasoline and engines and
components requiring the use of leaded gasoline.

Article 2 Other Pollutants

Section 30. Ozone-Depleting Substances. - Consistent with the terms and
conditions of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
and other international agreements and protocols to which the Philippine is a
signatory, the Department shall phase out ozone-depleting substances.
Section 31. Greenhouse Gases. - The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical
and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) shall regularly monitor
meteorological factors affecting environmental conditions including ozone
depletion and greenhouse gases and coordinate with the Department in order to
effectively guide air pollution monitoring and standard-setting activities.
Section 32. Persistent Organic Pollutants. - The Department shall, within a
period of two (2) years after the enactment of this Act, establish an inventory list
of all sources of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the country. The
Department shall develop short-term and long-term national government
programs on the reduction and elimination of POPs such as dioxins and furans.
Such programs shall be formulated within a year after the establishment of the
inventory list.
Section 33. Radioactive Emissions. - All projects which will involve the use of
atomic and/or nuclear energy, and will entail release and emission of radioactive
substances into the environment, incident to the establishment or possession of
nuclear energy facilities and radioactive materials, handling, transport, production,
storage, and use of radioactive materials, shall be regulated in the interest of
public health and welfare by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), in
coordination with the Department and other appropriate government agencies.
Chapter 4 Institutional Mechanism
Section 34. Lead Agency. - The Department, unless otherwise provided herein,
shall be the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and
enforcement of this Act. To be more effective in this regard, the Department's
Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) shall be converted from a staff bureau
to a line bureau for a period of no more than two (2) years, unless a separate,
comprehensive environmental management agency is created.
Section 35. Linkage Mechanism. - The Department shall consult, participate,
cooperate and enter into agreement with other government agencies, or with
affected nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or people's organizations (POs),
or private enterprises in the furtherance of the objectives of this Act.
Section 36. Role of Local Government Units. - Local government units (LGUs)
shall share the responsibility in the management and maintenance of air quality
within their territorial jurisdiction. Consistent with Sections 7, 8 and 9 of this Act,
LGUs shall implement air quality standards set by the Board in areas within their
jurisdiction; Provided, however, That in case where the Board has not been
duly constituted and has not promulgated its standards, the standards set forth in
this Act shall apply.
Section 37. Environment and Natural Resources Office. - There may be
established an Environment and Natural Resources Office in every province, city,
or municipality which shall be headed by the environment and natural resources
officer and shall be appointed by the Chief Executive of every province, city or
municipality in accordance with the provisions of Section 484 of Republic Act No.
7160.
Section 38. Record-keeping, Inspection, Monitoring and Entry by the
Department. - The Department or its duly accredited entity shall, after proper
consultation and notice, require any person who owns or operates any emission
source or who is subject to any requirement of this Act to: (a) establish and
maintain relevant records; (b) make relevant reports; (c) install, use and maintain
monitoring equipment or methods; (d) sample emission, in accordance with the
methods, locations, intervals, and manner prescribed by the Department; (e) keep
records on control equipment parameters, production variables or other indirect
data when direct monitoring of emissions is impractical; and (f) provide such other
information as the Department may reasonably require.
Section 39. Public Education and Information Campaign. - A continuing air
quality information and education campaign shall be promoted by the Department,
the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Consistent with Section 7 of this Act, such
campaign shall encourage the participation of other government agencies and the
private sector including NGOs, POs, the academe, environmental groups and
other private entities in a multi-sectoral information campaign.

Chapter 5 Actions
Section 40. Administrative Action. - Without prejudice to the right of any
affected person to file an administrative action, the Department shall, on its own
instance or upon verified complaint by any person.
Section 42. Independence of Action. - The filing of an administrative suit
against such person/entity does not preclude the right of any other person to file
any criminal or civil action. Such civil action shall proceed independently.
 Section 43. Suits and Strategic Legal Actions Against Public Participation
and the Enforcement of this Act. - Where a suit is brought against a person who
filed an action as provided in Section 41 of this Act, or against any person,
institution or government agency that implements this Act, it shall be the duty of the
investigating prosecutor or the court, as the case may be, to immediately make a
determination not exceeding thirty (30) days whether said legal action has been
filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure or stifle such legal recourses of the
person complaining of or enforcing the provisions of this Act. Upon determination
thereof, evidence warranting the same, the court shall dismiss the case and award
attorney's fees and double damages.
Section 44. Lien Upon Personal and Immovable Properties of Violators. Fines
and penalties imposed pursuant to this Act shall be liens upon personal and
immovable properties of the violator. Such lien shall, in case of insolvency of the
respondent violator, enjoy preference subsequent to laborer's wages under Articles
2241 and 2242 of Republic Act No. 386, otherwise known as the New Civil Code of
the Philippines.

Chapter 6 Fines And Penalties

Section 45. Violation of Standards for Stationary Sources. - For actual
exceedance of any pollution or air quality standards under this Act or its rules and
regulations, the Department, through the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), shall
impose a fine of not more than One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) for
every day of violation against the owner or operator of a stationary source until
such time that the standards have been complied with.
Section 46. Violation of Standards for Motor Vehicles. - No motor vehicle
shall be registered with the DOTC unless it meets the emission standards set by
the Department as provided in Section 21 hereof.
Section 47. Fines and Penalties for Violations of Other Provisions in the Act.
- For violations of all other provisions provided in this Act and of the rules and
regulations thereof, a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (Php10,000.00) but
not more than One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) or six (6) months to
six (6) years imprisonment or both shall be imposed. If the offender is a juridical
person, the president, manager, directors, trustees, the pollution control officer or
the officials directly in charge of the operations shall suffer the penalty herein
provided.
Section 48. Gross Violations. - In case of gross violation of this Act or its
implementing rules and regulations, the PAB shall recommend to the proper
government agencies to file the appropriate criminal charges against the violators.
The PAB shall assist the public prosecutor in the litigation of the case. Gross
violation shall mean (a) three (3) or more specific offenses within a period of (1)
year, (b) three (3) or more specific offenses within three (3) consecutive years; (c)
blatant disregard of the orders of the PAB, such as but not limited to the breaking of
seal, padlocks and other similar devices, or operating despite the existence of an
order for closure, discontinuance or cessation of operation; and (d) irreparable or
grave damage to the environment as a consequence of any violation or omission of
the provisions of this Act.
 Chapter 7 Final Provisions
Section 49. Potential Loss or Shifts of Employment. - The Secretary of
Labor is hereby authorized to establish a compensation, retraining and relocation
program to assist workers laid off due to a company's compliance with the
provisions of this Act.
Section 50. Appropriations. - An amount of Seven hundred fifty million pesos
(Php750,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial implementation of this
Act, of which, the amount of Three hundred million pesos (Php300,000,000.00)
shall be appropriated to the Department; Two hundred million pesos
(Php200,000,000.00) to the DTI; One hundred fifty million pesos
(Php150,000,000.00) to the DOTC; and, One hundred million pesos
(Php100,000,000.00) to the DOE.
Section 51. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department in
coordination with the Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and
House of Representatives, respectively and other concerned agencies, shall
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for this Act, within one (1)
year after the enactment of this Act. Provided, That rules and regulations issued
by other government agencies and instrumentalities for the prevention and/or
abatement of pollution not inconsistent with this Act shall supplement the rules
and regulations issued by the Department, pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
Section 52. Report to Congress. - The Department shall report to Congress,
not later than March 30 of every year following the approval of this Act, the
progress of the pollution control efforts and make the necessary
recommendations in areas where there is need for legislative action.
Section 53. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby
created a joint congressional oversight committee to monitor the implementation
of this Act. The committee shall be composed of five (5) senators and five (5)
representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, respectively. The oversight committee shall be co
chaired by a senator and a representative designated by the Senate President
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.
Section 54. Separability of Provisions. - If any provision of this Act or the
application of such provision to any person or circumstances is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the application of such provision to
other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.
Section 55. Repealing Clause. - Presidential Decree No. 1181 is hereby
repealed Presidential Decree Nos. 1152, 1586, Presidential Decree No. 984 are
partly modified. All other laws, orders, issuance, rules and regulations
inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Application
1. Looking into your community, cite one environmental and one occupational
health programs. Discuss briefly how the program works by answering the
4Ws and 1H.