OPOSA VS FACTORAN

G.R. No. 101083 July 30 1993

FACTS:
Forty-four children, through their parents, sought to make the DENR Secretary stop issuing
licenses to cut timber, invoking their right to a healthful environment (Secs. 16, 15 Article II,
1987 Constitution). The petitioners further asserted that they "represent their generation as well
as generations yet unborn." They further claimed that the Secretary committed grave abuse of
discretion in granting Timber License Agreements to cover more areas for logging than what is
available.

ISSUE:
Whether the petitioners have a cause of action to file the case.

RULING:
YES. Petitioner-minors assert that they represent their generation as well as generations to come.
The Supreme Court ruled that they can, for themselves, for others of their generation,
and for the succeeding generation, file a class suit.

ANALYSIS:
Petitioner-minors assert that they represent their generation as well as generations to come.
The Supreme Court ruled that they can, for themselves, for others of their generation,
and for the
succeeding generation, file a class suit. Their personality to sue in behalf of succeeding
generations is
based on the concept of intergenerational responsibility insofar as the right to a balanced and
healthful
ecology is concerned. Such a right considers the “rhythm and harmony of nature” which
indispensably
include, inter alia, the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and
conservation of the
country’s forest, mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, offshore areas and other natural
resources to the
end that their exploration, development, and utilization be equitably accessible to the present as
well as the
future generations.

Needless to say, every generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve that rhythm and
harmony for
the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology. Put a little differently, the minor’s
assertion of their
right to a sound environment constitutes at the same time, the performance of their obligation to
ensure the
protection of that right for the generations to come.
Petitioner-minors assert that they represent their generation as well as generations to come.
The Supreme Court ruled that they can, for themselves, for others of their generation,
and for the
succeeding generation, file a class suit. Their personality to sue in behalf of succeeding
generations is
based on the concept of intergenerational responsibility insofar as the right to a balanced and
healthful
ecology is concerned. Such a right considers the “rhythm and harmony of nature” which
indispensably
include, inter alia, the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and
conservation of the
country’s forest, mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, offshore areas and other natural
resources to the
end that their exploration, development, and utilization be equitably accessible to the present as
well as the
future generations.

Needless to say, every generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve that rhythm and
harmony for
the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology. Put a little differently, the minor’s
assertion of their
right to a sound environment constitutes at the same time, the performance of their obligation to
ensure the
protection of that right for the generations to come.
Petitioner-minors assert that they represent their generation as well as generations to come.
The Supreme Court ruled that they can, for themselves, for others of their generation,
and for the
succeeding generation, file a class suit. Their personality to sue in behalf of succeeding
generations is
based on the concept of intergenerational responsibility insofar as the right to a balanced and
healthful
ecology is concerned. Such a right considers the “rhythm and harmony of nature” which
indispensably
include, inter alia, the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and
conservation of the
country’s forest, mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, offshore areas and other natural
resources to the
end that their exploration, development, and utilization be equitably accessible to the present as
well as the
future generations.

Needless to say, every generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve that rhythm and
harmony for
the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology. Put a little differently, the minor’s
assertion of their
right to a sound environment constitutes at the same time, the performance of their obligation to
ensure the
protection of that right for the generations to come.
Petitioner-minors assert that they represent their generation as well as generations to come.
The Supreme Court ruled that they can, for themselves, for others of their generation,
and for the
succeeding generation, file a class suit. Their personality to sue in behalf of succeeding
generations is
based on the concept of intergenerational responsibility insofar as the right to a balanced and
healthful
ecology is concerned. Such a right considers the “rhythm and harmony of nature” which
indispensably
include, inter alia, the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and
conservation of the
country’s forest, mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, offshore areas and other natural
resources to the
end that their exploration, development, and utilization be equitably accessible to the present as
well as the
future generations.

Needless to say, every generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve that rhythm and
harmony for
the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology. Put a little differently, the minor’s
assertion of their
right to a sound environment constitutes at the same time, the performance of their obligation to
ensure the
protection of that right for the generations to come.
he complaint focuses on one specific fundamental legal right — the right to a balanced and
healthful
ecology which, for the first time in our nation's constitutional history, is solemnly
incorporated in the
fundamental law. Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution explicitly provides:

Sec. 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
Their personality to sue in behalf of succeeding generations is based on the concept of
intergenerational responsibility insofar as the right to a balanced and healthful ecology is
concerned. Such a right considers the “rhythm and harmony of nature” which indispensably
include, inter alia, the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and
conservation of the country’s forest, mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, offshore areas and
other natural resources to the end that their exploration, development, and utilization be
equitably accessible to the present as well as the future generations.
CONCLUSION:
The instant petition is granted, and the challenged order of respondent Judge is set aside. The
petitioners may therefore amend their complaint to implead as defendants the holders or grantees
of the questioned timber license agreements.