Syllabus

THE LAW ON NATURAL RESOURCES

BIT COLLEGE OF LAW

Instructor: Judge Joy Angelica P. Santos Doctor

Delegate, COP CBD and its other meetings (SBSTTA,
MOP-Cartagena Protocol) 2012 to 2013
Delegate, GB of the ITPGRFA (2013 and 2017)
Former Policy Officer, SEARICE 2003 to 2011

Contact:
Dariusyoja@gmail.com; angeldoc09@yahoo.com
09186328404 (text and calls)/09176857316 (calls only)
MTCC Branch 4, 2/F Old City Hall Bldg
Poblacion Dos, Tagbilaran City

Class Time and Location:

Course Description: This subject provides an overview of the law on

natural resources in the Philippines. Particularly, it shall orient
students with the major principles behind the various Philippine
laws that cover natural resources. The subject is also named
Environmental Law.

The course also looks into legal remedies to enforce environmental

rights, with emphasis on the Rules of Procedure for Environmental
Cases.

Throughout the discussion, students will likewise be analysing

Supreme Court decisions regarding environmental laws and the
Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases

Outline of Topics:
1. Introduction
2. Basic Principles on the Right to the Environment
a. Sovereignty over Natural Resources (and the Obligation Not
to Cause Harm)
b. Principle of Prevention
c. Precautionary Principle
d. Sustainable Development
e. Inter-generational Equity
f. Public Trust Doctrine
g. Environmental Rights as Human Rights
3. Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases
4. Case Analysis
 a. Situationer
b. Regulatory Framework
c. Implementation
d. SWOT Analysis
e. Conclusion and Recommendations

5. Reaction Papers (4)

Major Concepts or Methodologies:

This course uses lectures, classroom discussions of readings, and

assignments to teach students:

Course Objectives: After completing this course, students will be able

to:
1. Explain the major principles in environmental law;
2. Increase awareness on the various environmental laws of the
Philippines
3. Use a flowchart in outlining the rules of procedure for
environmental cases
4. Recite case digests of various Supreme Court decisions in
environmental law.

Prerequisites: The course is usually taken by law students on their

second year.

Course Structure: The course is divided into four sections:

1. Introduction (Situationer and a rundown of the various
environmental laws)
2. General Principles in Environmental Law
3. Procedure in Enforcing Environmental Rights with focus on the
rules of procedure in environmental cases
4. Case Analysis of Various Environmental Laws

Required Reading:
a. Access to Environmental Justice: A Sourcebook on
Environmental Rights and Legal Remedies
(http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-
content/uploads/2013/02/4_A-Sourcebook.-on-Envi-Rights-
and-Legal-Remedies-FINAL-B.pdf )
b. UNEP Training Manual on International Environmental Law
(https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/20
599/UNEP_Training_Manual_Int_Env_Law.pdf?sequence=1&a
mp%3BisAllowed= )
c. A modular textbook to be prepared by the instructor (TBA)
E-Mail Requirement: All students are required to have an email
account and to check the facebook chat group regularly for class
announcements.

Student Grades will be calculated based upon on the following:

1. Two in-class examinations worth 100 points
2. Reaction Papers worth 100 points
3. Case Analysis worth 200 points

This will arrive at 500 points which will be divided into five to obtain
the final grade. The passing rate for this subject is 50.

Prepared by:

JOY ANGELICA P. SANTOS DOCTOR

Instructor