Philippines Rights of Nature Act

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, followed by a similar bill in the House of Representatives (No. 5603) filed by Representative Christopher Belmonte one month later. The 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 the bills have slightly different language, both recognize 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 July 2022, Senator Risa Hontiveros refiled the RoN Act in the Senate. Subsequently, in February 2023, the bill was submitted to the House of Representatives of the newly elected congress by Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda. The bill was referred to the committee on ecology where it remains pending.

Involved Organizations

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