MALACAÑANG
M a n i l aPRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 979 August 18, 1976
PROVIDING FOR THE REVISION OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 600 GOVERNING MARINE POLLUTION
WHEREAS, the marine environment and the living organisms, which it supports are of vital importance to humanity, and all people have an interest in assuring that it is managed and protected, and its quality is not impaired;
WHEREAS, recognizing that the capacity of the sea to assimilate wastes and render them harmless, and its ability to regenerate natural resources is limited;
WHEREAS, knowing that marine pollution originates from many sources, such as dumping and discharging through the rivers, estuaries, brooks or springs;
WHEREAS, it is our responsibility to control public and private activities that cause damage to the marine environment by using the best practicable means and by developing improved disposal processes to minimize harmful wastes;
WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to prevent, mitigate or eliminate the increasing damages to marine resources as a result of pollution;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the...
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Presidential Decrees
Providing For The Revision Of Presidential Decree No. 600 Governing Marine Pollution
Presidential Decree No. 979
Title: Marine Pollution Decree of 1976 (Section 1)
Policy Statement: Prevent and control pollution of seas by dumping of wastes that create hazards to human health, harm marine life, damage amenities, or interfere with legitimate uses of the sea within Philippine territorial jurisdiction. (Section 2)
Definitions (Section 3):
- Discharge: Spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping, but excludes effluents from industrial or manufacturing establishments.
- Dumping: Deliberate disposal at sea and navigable waters of wastes from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures, excluding routine effluent discharge.
- Oil: Any kind of oil, including petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes.
- Navigable Waters: Waters of the Philippines, including territorial sea and inland waters used by watercraft.
- Vessel: Any watercraft or artificial contrivance used for transportation on water.
- Person: Any natural or juridical being subject to legal relations.
- Refuse: Garbage, waste, wood residues, sand, lime cinders ashes, offal, nightsoil, tar, dye stuffs, acids, chemicals and substances other than sewage and industrial wastes that may cause pollution.
Prohibited Acts (Section 4):
- Discharging, dumping or permitting discharge of oil, noxious gaseous and liquid substances, and other harmful substances from ships, vessels, barges, floating craft, or man-made structures into territorial and inland navigable waters, except in emergencies.
- Throwing, discharging, depositing or dumping refuse matter from ships, barges, floating craft, vessels, shore, wharf, manufacturing establishment, or mill into navigable waters.
- Depositing material on banks of navigable waters or tributaries where it may be washed into navigable waters, obstructing navigation or increasing pollution levels.
Responsibilities (Sections 5 and 6):
- National Pollution Control Commission: Promulgate national rules and policies governing marine pollution, including discharge of effluents from outfall structures, industrial and manufacturing establishments.
- Philippine Coast Guard: Promulgate rules and regulations for implementing and enforcing the decree, in accordance with national rules set by the Commission. Have primary responsibility for enforcement.
- Coordination and cooperation between the Commission and Coast Guard in enforcement, with assistance from other government agencies.
Penalties (Section 7):
- Fine of not less than 200 Pesos nor more than 10,000 Pesos, or imprisonment of 30 days to 1 year, or both, for each offense.
- Vessels discharging oil or harmful substances are liable for the fine, and clearance from Philippine ports may be withheld until the fine is paid.
- The Coast Guard shall provide reasonable administrative penalties in its rules and regulations.
Containment and Recovery System (Section 8):
- The Coast Guard shall develop capability for containment and recovery of spilled oil for inland waters and high seas.
- An initial amount of 5 million Pesos is appropriated for procuring necessary equipment.
- Subsequent appropriations shall be included in the Coast Guard's portion of the General Appropriation Decree.
Repealing Clause and Effectivity (Sections 9 and 10):
- All inconsistent laws, rules and regulations are repealed or modified.
- The decree takes effect immediately.
Policy Statement: Prevent and control pollution of seas by dumping of wastes that create hazards to human health, harm marine life, damage amenities, or interfere with legitimate uses of the sea within Philippine territorial jurisdiction. (Section 2)
Definitions (Section 3):
- Discharge: Spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping, but excludes effluents from industrial or manufacturing establishments.
- Dumping: Deliberate disposal at sea and navigable waters of wastes from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures, excluding routine effluent discharge.
- Oil: Any kind of oil, including petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes.
- Navigable Waters: Waters of the Philippines, including territorial sea and inland waters used by watercraft.
- Vessel: Any watercraft or artificial contrivance used for transportation on water.
- Person: Any natural or juridical being subject to legal relations.
- Refuse: Garbage, waste, wood residues, sand, lime cinders ashes, offal, nightsoil, tar, dye stuffs, acids, chemicals and substances other than sewage and industrial wastes that may cause pollution.
Prohibited Acts (Section 4):
- Discharging, dumping or permitting discharge of oil, noxious gaseous and liquid substances, and other harmful substances from ships, vessels, barges, floating craft, or man-made structures into territorial and inland navigable waters, except in emergencies.
- Throwing, discharging, depositing or dumping refuse matter from ships, barges, floating craft, vessels, shore, wharf, manufacturing establishment, or mill into navigable waters.
- Depositing material on banks of navigable waters or tributaries where it may be washed into navigable waters, obstructing navigation or increasing pollution levels.
Responsibilities (Sections 5 and 6):
- National Pollution Control Commission: Promulgate national rules and policies governing marine pollution, including discharge of effluents from outfall structures, industrial and manufacturing establishments.
- Philippine Coast Guard: Promulgate rules and regulations for implementing and enforcing the decree, in accordance with national rules set by the Commission. Have primary responsibility for enforcement.
- Coordination and cooperation between the Commission and Coast Guard in enforcement, with assistance from other government agencies.
Penalties (Section 7):
- Fine of not less than 200 Pesos nor more than 10,000 Pesos, or imprisonment of 30 days to 1 year, or both, for each offense.
- Vessels discharging oil or harmful substances are liable for the fine, and clearance from Philippine ports may be withheld until the fine is paid.
- The Coast Guard shall provide reasonable administrative penalties in its rules and regulations.
Containment and Recovery System (Section 8):
- The Coast Guard shall develop capability for containment and recovery of spilled oil for inland waters and high seas.
- An initial amount of 5 million Pesos is appropriated for procuring necessary equipment.
- Subsequent appropriations shall be included in the Coast Guard's portion of the General Appropriation Decree.
Repealing Clause and Effectivity (Sections 9 and 10):
- All inconsistent laws, rules and regulations are repealed or modified.
- The decree takes effect immediately.