A. Environmental Impact Assessment System1. The rationale of the EIA is creating a balance between economic growth and environmental protection. It establishes a system or a process where all agencies of the government including private corporations to predict the likely environmental consequences of every project they will undertake and provide for an appropriate preventive measures on how to alleviate these consequences as not to affect the quality of the environment and the well-being of the people.2. Legal framework of EIA in the Philippines PD 1586 Environmental Impact Assessment Law Sec 1 - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to attain and maintain a rational and orderly balance between socio-economic growth and environmental protection. IRR for the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System. DENR DAO 92-21 Devolution of the EIS to the EMB Regional Offices. DENR DAO 96-37 - Revising DAO 21 and Further Stregthen the EIS System. AO 300 - Further Strengthen the Philippine EIA System and Clarifying Authority to Grant/Deny ECC. AO 42 - Rationalizing the Implementation of the EIS System and Granting Authority to the EMB Director and Regional Directors DAO 03-30 - IRR of the Philippine EIS System. 3. Provisionsa. Section 2. Environmental Impact System. There is hereby established an Environmental Impact Statement System founded and based on the environmental impact statement required, under Section 4 of PD No. 1151, of all agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including GOCCs, as well as private corporations, firms and entities, for every proposed project and undertaking which significantly affect the quality of the environment.Section 4. Presidential Proclamation of Environmentally Critical Areas and Projects.The President of the Philippines may, on his own initiative or upon recommendation of the National Environmental Protection Council, by proclamation declare certain projects, undertakings or areas in the country as environmentally critical. No person, partnership or corporation shall undertake or operate any such declared environmentally critical project or area without first securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the President or his duly authorized representative. For the proper management of said critical project or area, the President may by his proclamation reorganize such government offices, agencies, institutions, corporations or instrumentalities including the re-alignment of government personnel, and their specific functions and responsibilities.For the same purpose as above, the Ministry of Human Settlements shall: (a) prepare the proper land or water use pattern for said critical project(s) or area (s); (b) establish ambient environmental quality standards; (c) develop a program of environmental enhancement or protective measures against calamitous factors such as earthquake, floods, water erosion and others, and (d) perform such other functions as may be directed by the President from time to time.b. The provisions show that in order to achieve the balance between socio-economic growth and environmental protection, each project should look into the possible environmental consequences and require the respective government agencies to develop programs of preventive measures and implement rules and regulations to pursue the project in one hand and protect the environment in the other, hence, establishing a sustainable development for the welfare of all the people.4. The level of social acceptability of the EIA system has been made possible through the conduct of public consultation, public hearings, alternative dispute and conflict resolution procedures, and posting or publishing public notices to disseminate project information. LGUs also play a big role in accordance with this policy to help in bringing together the whole community for public involvement. The government should exert more effort to achieve this strategy because its the welfare of the people who will be affected by the project.

B. Climate Change Act1. SECTION 11.Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change.The Commission shall, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a Framework Strategy on Climate Change. The Framework shall serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change.The Framework shall be formulated based on climate change vulnerabilities, specific adaptation needs, and mitigation potential, and in accordance with the international agreements.SECTION 12.Components of the Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change.The Framework shall include, but not limited to, the following components:(a) National priorities;(b) Impact, vulnerability and adaptation assessments;(c) Policy formulation;(d) Compliance with international commitments;(e) Research and development;(f) Database development and management;(g) Academic programs, capability building and mainstreaming;(h) Advocacy and information dissemination;(i) Monitoring and evaluation; and(j) Gender mainstreaming.SECTION 13.National Climate Change Action Plan. The Commission shall formulate a National Climate Change Action Plan in accordance with the Framework within one (1) year after the formulation of the latter.The National Climate Change Action Plan shall include, but not limited to, the following components:(a) Assessment of the national impact of climate change;(b) The identification of the most vulnerable communities/areas, including ecosystems to the impacts of climate change, variability and extremes;(c) The identification of differential impacts of climate change on men, women and children;(d) The assessment and management of risk and vulnerability;(e) The identification of GHG mitigation potentials; and(f) The identification of options, prioritization of appropriate adaptation measures for joint projects of national and local governments.SECTION 14.Local Climate Change Action Plan.The LGUs shall be the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas, consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Code, the Framework, and the National Climate Change Action Plan.Barangays shall be directly involved with municipal and city governments in prioritizing climate change issues and in identifying and implementing best practices and other solutions. Municipal and city governments shall consider climate change adaptation, as one of their regular functions. Provincial governments shall provide technical assistance, enforcement and information management in support of municipal and city climate change action plans. Inter-local government unit collaboration shall be maximized in the conduct of climate-related activities.LGUs shall regularly update their respective action plans to reflect changing social, economic, and environmental conditions and emerging issues. The LGUs shall furnish the Commission with copies of their action plans and all subsequent amendments, modifications and revisions thereof, within one (1) month from their adoption. The LGUs shall mobilize and allocate necessary personnel, resources and logistics to effectively implement their respective action plans.The local chief executive shall appoint the person responsible for the and implementation of the local action plan.It shall be the responsibility of the national government to extend technical and financial assistance to LGUs for the accomplishment of their Local Climate Change Action Plans.The LGU is hereby expressly authorized to appropriate and use the amount from its Internal Revenue Allotment necessary to implement said local plan effectively, any provision in the Local Government Code to the contrary notwithstanding.2. Local Climate Change Action Plana. Assessment of local impact on climate change.Butuan City sits below sea level and is vulnerable to flooding. All the water from Davao, Compostela Valley and Agusan del Sur empty into Butuan Bay through the Agusan River. Butuan City has a history of drastic floods due to typhoons and non-stop heavy rains and this has been continuing to happen each year. b. The identification of the most vulnerable communities/areas, including ecosystems to the impacts of climate change, variability and extremes.At present, there are still numerous households along the river banks of Agusan River and they are mostly the first areas that get affected during floods caused by the rapid rise of the water in the river. Part of the Agusan River sits in the middle of the city making some areas in downtown Butuan also vulnerable to flood when the water level of the river rises rapidly. There are also communities living near the areas of Butuan Bay which will make them vulnerable to storm surges due to extreme weather conditions such as extreme typhoons and tropical storms.c. The identification of differential impacts of climate change on men, women and children.Human security is one of the main purposes of creating a climate change action plan to reduce risks of men, women and children from disasters. During disasters such as floods, people in the areas affected are prone to acquiring disease and illnesses, especially children and the elderly. d. The assessment and management of risk and vulnerabilityIn the history of calamities in Butuan caused by floods, the major areas that were affected are the neighborhoods near the river and the areas in downtown. There must be an increase of resilience in these areas which are the most vulnerable during high floods. e. The identification of GHG mitigation potentials.The impact of the high emission of greenhouse gases influences the potential occurrence of higher temperature. In Butuan, although there are lesser factories and industries as compared to other neighboring big cities, we still need to prevent and reduce the build-up of greenhouse gas emissions which is one of the contributing factors to climate change. Tree-planting, improvement of eco-parks and anti-smoke belching ordinance are highly encouraged.f. The identification of options, prioritization of appropriate adaptation measures.For adaptation measures for floods caused by typhoons, there must be an improvement of the drainage systems, de-clogging of canals and drainage, proper waste disposals and improving solid waste collection. Tree planting in watershed and along the rivers and creeks is highly encouraged, too. For the protection of people in vulnerable areas, there must be a relocation of households to a safer resettlement sites.During these calamities, there must be a sufficient supply of clean water, foods, medicines and source of energy.C. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Acta. Policies in the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act Adopt a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, comprehensive, integrated, and proactive in lessening the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of disasters including climate change, and promote the involvement and participation of all sectors and all stakeholders concerned, at all levels, especially the local community; Develop, promote, and implement a comprehensive National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) that aims to strengthen the capacity of the national government and the local government units (LGUs), together with partner stakeholders, to build the disaster resilience of communities, and' to institutionalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks, including projected climate risks, and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels; Recognize and strengthen the capacities of LGUs and communities in mitigating and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact of disasters; Develop and strengthen the capacities of vulnerable and marginalized groups to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of disasters; Provide maximum care, assistance and services to individuals and families affected by disaster, implement emergency rehabilitation projects to lessen the impact of disaster, and facilitate resumption of normal social and economic activities.b. Institutions that have roles in risk reduction and management National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) One of the main responsibilities of NDRRMC among others is to develop n NDRRM Framework which shall provide for comprehensive, all-hazards, multi-sectoral, inter-agency and community-based approach to disaster risk reduction and management. Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Carry out coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring and evaluation functions covering Regional Council Member Agencies and the LDRRMC. The RDRRMC shall also be responsible in ensuring risk-sensitive regional development plans, and in case of emergencies, shall convene the different regional line agencies and concerned institutions and authorities. Office of the Civil Defense The OCD is entrusted to ensure the protection and public welfare during disasters or emergencies. It serves as the operating arm of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), supporting discharge of its functions. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC); Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC); and Local Disaster Coordinating Council (LDCC) It is the highest policy-making body on matters of disasters in the country. NDCC advises the President on efforts in disaster management undertaken by the government and the private sector, thereby serving as the highest policy-making body on disaster management. The NDCC is replicated at the regional and local levels, and these bodies function substantially like the NDCC, operating and utilizing resources at their respective levels. Sectoral Government Agencies (e.g. DPWH, DOTC, DOST, DA, DOE, DENR, etc.) Responsible for carrying out their respective tasks and responsibilities in disaster management including preparedness, mitigation, responseand rehabilitation. Philippine Institute for Development Studies; Klima/Manila Observatory; Bicol University; Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) Research (basic and applied) on disaster related issues. LGUs Implement disaster risk reduction and management projects at the ground DepEd The DepEd has put DRR topics as part of the curricula for primary and secondary public schools. PAGASA and PHIVOLCS PAGASA and PHIVOLCS are the countrys warning agencies under the DOST. Both are service institutes, as differentiated from purely research and development institutes. PHIVOLCS operates and maintains a system of monitoring for earthquake occurrences, tsunami detection, volcanic eruption while PAGASA has one for weather, hydrological phenomena, and climate variability. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) looks after the issuance of advisories on radioactive fallouts, contamination and radiation accidents to the public, as well as decontamination of areas impacted by radiation. DENR The countrys environmental impact assessment (EIA) system has been in place since 1970s. The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) oversees its implementation to ensure that hazards and risks are taken into account in siting development projects. DPWH The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) prepares and identifies evacuation sites during emergencies; provides warning on impending water releases from dams within its control; provides transportation and communication facilities for disaster operations, and heavy and light equipment for rescue and recovery operations. DILG Among the DRR functions of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is to oversee the organization and activation of the LDCCs in coordination with the OCD. DSWD The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has several functions that pertain mainly to relief and rehabilitation. DOH The Department of Health has an organized Health Emergency System (HEMS) for more responsive and integrated health response to disasters and emergencies. It also assists LGUs during emergencies in the areas of sanitation, public health concerns, prevention of epidemics, and other health hazards. DOF and DBM The Department of Finance issues rules and regulations jointly with the Department of Budget and Management on the preparation of local government budget and the utilization of the 5% reserve for disaster operations. DA The Department of Agriculture undertakes post-event agricultural surveys and maintains data on agricultural crops, livestock, and fisheries in disaster-prone areas to facilitate damage assessment. DOTC The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) coordinates the deployment of transport services during and after disaster occurrence from the national to the local DCC, mobilizes staff, transport and communication facilities of the DOTC Action Center in the disaster area, and initiates immediate restoration of destroyed infrastructure facilities for transportation and communication. National Defense The Department of National Defense (DND) provides the budget for activities to be undertaken by the NDCC Technical Working Group.