117 Environmental Courts
January 15th, 2008 at 8:09 pm (Environment, General)
The Supreme Court has declared 117 trial courts as “environmental courts” that will be dedicated to cases that involve violations of laws protecting natural resources. The designation of these courts are aimed at speeding up the resolution of environmental cases. Moreover, the personnel of these courts and the appellate courts will undergo training to handle these cases.
Some of the laws that will be concerns of these courts are the Fisheries Code, the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the Coconut Preservation Act, and the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno asserts:
“Happily, it is now beyond argument that environmental protection is indispensable to support and sustain some of the most fundamental of human rights, such as the rights to life, to health and to well being….”
Undeniably, this move to hasten the trial of environmental cases is laudable. It is imperative, however, that special attention be given to these courts so that we are sure that they are incorruptible and effective in dispensing justice for the environment and the Filipino people. Hopefully, it will pave the way for more environmentally-friendly policies and actions from the government.
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