RA 9512 AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSESDiscussion:This Act is known as "National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008". It was created December 15 2008 and took effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Congress or in 2 newspapers of general circulation. This Act mandates the DepEd, TESDA, DSWD, DENR, DOST and other relevant agencies to integrate environmental education in curriculum of all types of schools whether private or public. The above stated agencies will lead the implementation of public education and awareness programs on environmental protection and conservation. It promotes environmental awareness and education to students in different educational institutions. This law also mandates the CHED and TESDA to include the environmental education and awareness programs and activities in the National Service Training Program (NSTP). DENR shall inform the concerned agencies of environmental updates. DOST shall create science based programs to concerning environmental issues for dissemination. The law declares the month of November as the Environmental Awareness month. Example:1. Eco-Savers Program of DENR 2. Climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction Education. 3. War on Waste program of DENR

RA 9003 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, CREATING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS AND INCENTIVES, DECLARING CERTAIN ACTS PROHIBITED AND PROVIDING PENALTIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Discussion: This Act is known as "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. It was created January 26, 2001 and took effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Congress or in 2 newspapers of general circulation. This law enjoins all Government agencies and institution as enumerated in Sec. 4 of the Act to ensure environmental protection, create environmentally sound methods of utilization of resources, waste segregation, waste management, research and develop programs on waste reduction, recycling, waste collection and recovery. This law includes the private sector in the waste management programs. It also mandates the integration of ecological solid waste management in the academic curricula of formal and non-formal education. The law is more comprehensive due to the powers vested to the different agencies and institutions as stated in Sec 5. The law creates the National Ecology Center which shall provide consulting, information, training, and networking services for the implementation of the provisions of this Act. The law gives the government agencies visitorial powers as provided in Sec. 9 as a form of police power of the state. The law also states penal provisions (Sec. 48) which in violation thereof shall constitute imprisonment and payment of fines upon conviction as provided in Sec. 49.Examples:1. Waste Segregation program of Local Government Units2. Lapu Lapu City Ordinance 484-73. Marikina City 10 year Environmental Compliance program

Distinction:RA 9512 is a law created to promote environmental education and information programs through government agencies and institutions while RA 9003 is a more comprehensive law specially that it has penal provisions. It empowers government agencies and institutions to act, punish, implement the provisions of this law.

Significance of both Laws:Both laws RA 9512 and 9003 are environmental laws which give rise to the protection of the environment. It mandates all the relevant government institutions and agencies to preserve and improve what is left in our environment. Furthermore, these laws were created for the future citizens of the Philippines and shall prevent environmental suits thrown at the Government.