Summary
In July 2019 several organizations convened a Rights of Nature People’s Congress in Quezon City. The participants created a coalition called Rights of Nature PH and mapped out a plan for drafting and passing a rights of nature bill. They issued a call to President Rodrigo Duterte to take decisive political action in protecting the environment through the recognition of rights of nature. That year, the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines adopted the rights of nature concept by integrating it into their July 16, 2019 pastoral letter.
In October 2019, a bill titled the ‘Rights of Nature Act’ was filed in the Senate (No. 1097) by Senator Risa Hontiveros, and in November 2019, a similar House Bill (No. 5603) was filed by Representative Kit Belmonte. The house bill states, “It is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize and protect natural ecosystems and processes, or distinct and identifiable portions thereof as legal entities possessing certain fundamental and inalienable rights.” The bills also empower the Filipino people themselves to act on behalf of nature and protects their individual right to defend nature. Although through slightly different language, the senate bill also recognizes rights of nature as legal entities. Both bills’ progression in the legislature was stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, Rights of Nature PH has continued to promote the bills.
In February 2023, the bill was re-submitted in the House of Representatives of the new congress by Representative Joey Sarte Salceda. The Bill has been referred to committee on ecology where it remains pending.