Philippine Environmental Law
The 1987 Constitution introduced new concepts not found in the previous Constitutions of the Philippines.
Section 16, Article 2
"The state shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and beautiful ecology in accord with a rhythm and harmony of nature."
According to Commissioner Blas Ople of the 1986 Constitutional Commission,
It [ section 16 ] speaks of a balanced and beautiful ecological environment in accord with a singular demand of nature for rhythm and harmony. I believe this is far from being a meaningless or a hollow statement. It conveys a powerful sense of the very real problems that we face. Having violated the rhythm and harmony of nature with the rape of our forests and lakes, we have to take seriously the admonitions of many experts that if nothing drastic is done by the government and the people in 50 years, we can be a desert...
Through the right to a beautiful environment is a unique provision in the Constitution, several Phiilppine statutes had already been enacted that recognized such right.
