Following is an overview of Philippine environmental laws, rules and regulations that concerns hog raising establishments operating in the Laguna de Bay Region.

Relevant Environmental Laws

• Clean Water Act of 2004 or Republic Act 9275. An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Water Quality Management and for Other Purposes which, among other provisions, declares:
  
  
  • The establishment of water quality management areas;
  • that appropriate water quality management framework and standards be established, and
  • collection of wastewater pollution permits, charges and fees shall be enforced in such areas
• Presidential Decree 1586. Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System Including Other Environmental Management Related Measures and For Other Purposes

• Republic Act 4850 - An Act Creating the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) Prescribing Its Powers, Functions and Duties, Providing Funds Thereof, and For Other Purposes

• Executive Order No. 927 (1983) Further Defines Certain Functions and Powers of the LLDA

• Presidential Decree 984: Pollution Control Law of the Philippines

Regulations and Guidelines

• DA Administrative Order 2007-26: Guidelines on the Procedures and Technical Requirements for the Issuance of a Certification Allowing the Safe Re-use of Wastewater for Purposes of Irrigation and Other Agricultural Uses. This certification becomes one of several requirements for livestock raisers in applying for a discharge permit.

• DENR Administrative Order 2005-10 - Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004[1] which, among other provisions, declares areas within LLDA jurisdiction as a water quality management area under LLDA administration;

• DENR Administrative Order 2004-61 authorizes the "General Manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority to Grant or Deny the Issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate/ Certificate of Non-Coverage (ECC/CNC) for Projects Located in Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs) within the Laguna de Bay Region".

• LLDA Resolution 2001-169 provides specific environment-related guidelines on the operation of backyard / small-scale hog farms in the Laguna de Bay Region. (Some provisions apply to commercial hog farms as well.)

LLDA Clearance and Discharge Permit

• LLDA Resolution 1996-33 prescribes the rules and regulations for implement the environmental user fee (EUF) system in the Laguna de Bay Region.  It describes:
  
  
  • The Discharge Permit (DP) and User Fees
  • Processing of DP applications including requirements, approval and issuance
  • User fees: assessment, surcharges and credits, payment schemes
  • Grounds for revocation / suspension and its implications and penalties

• LLDA Resolution 1997-42 - Approving the Administrative Fines for Violations of LLDA Rules and Regulations

• LLDA Resolution  2006-286 - Adopting the Reckoning Period for Imposition of Administrative Fine for Operating Without
  Valid LLDA Clearance and Discharge Permit

• LLDA Resolution  2007-322 provides for the modification of  "Certain Provisions of the Environmental User Fee System (Wastewater Charge System) in the Laguna de Bay Region", in particular:
  • Requiring all establishments that discharge wastewater into the Lake to secure an LLDA discharge permit
  • Detailed description of discharge permit fees and charges

Standards

• DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2007- 10 contains the 2006 updated list and classification of water bodies. (This updates the 2004 classification per DENR Memo Circular 2005-06.)

• LLDA Resolution No. 41 Series of 1997 defines the kinds of development activities[2] required to secure LLDA clearance, particularly:
  
  
  • Agro-industrial projects including piggery, poultry and similar animal-raising farms are included in the list of activities required to secure LLDA clearance except those exempted under Section 2 (Sec. 1)
  • Section 2 exempts "backyard animal farms with a population of not more than 100 heads or sow level of not more than 20 (for pigs)
  • Agro-industrial projects including piggery, poultry and similar animal-raising farms are included in the list of activities required to secure LLDA clearance except those exempted under Section 2 (Sec. 1).
  • However, "backyard animal farms with a population of not more than 100 heads or sow level of not more than 20 (for pigs) are exempt (Section 2)

• LLDA Resolution 2004-223 further defines the kinds of development activities required to secure LLDA clearance. This amends certain provisions of Board Resolution No. 41, Series of 1997, in particular:
  
  
  • Animal farms with a population of not more than one hundred 100 heads or sow level of not more than ten (10) for pigs are exempt from LLDA clearance requirement (Section 2)

[1] Republic Act 9275

[2] Adoption of the Definition of Development Activities per DENR Administrative Order No. 96-37 and Integration of Said Definition in the LLDA Rules and Regulations Thereby Clarifying Further the Development Activities Required to Secure LLDA Clearance