SC identifies 117 environmental courts
By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:03:00 01/13/2008
MANILA, Philippines–The Supreme Court has designated 117 trial courts as “environmental courts” to hear cases involving violations of laws protecting the country’s natural resources and to speed up their resolution.
In a resolution, the tribunal approved the recommendation of the Philippine Judicial Academy to designate such courts “for improved environmental adjudication” in the country.
The resolution, dated Nov. 20, 2007, was received by the Supreme Court’s public information office only on Jan. 9, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).
Of the 117 environmental courts, 45 were earlier designated as forestry courts.
Forty-eight “first-level” courts and 24 “second-level” courts will handle all types of environmental cases, including violations of the Fisheries Code and the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, which establishes national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
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Climate change has been negatively affecting developing countries that relied on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and fishing..
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2007 along with former US Vice President Al Gore, has warned that rising temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions will cause widespread drought, floods, higher sea levels and worsening storms..
In the Philippines, between 1980 and 2002 alone, 19 severe tropical storms and typhoons each caused damage of more than P1 billion and deaths of at least 100 people, according to the Greenpeace report, “Crisis or opportunity: Climate change impact and the Philippines.”.
The report said another 10 storms during the period caused either more than 100 deaths or at least P1 billion in damage.
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—.Philippine Daily Inquirer. 13 January 2008. Philippine Daily Inquirer.net. .
