Environmental protection depends not only on having strong laws, but also on informed citizens, accountable institutions, meaningful public participation, and effective enforcement.

This collection explains how the Philippine government and legal system work, the responsibilities of national agencies and local governments, and the laws and processes that guide environmental decision-making. It covers good environmental governance, the three branches of government, checks and balances, public access to information, the Environmental Impact Statement System, and the rights and responsibilities involved in public advocacy.

These resources aim to help communities understand how decisions are made, identify which institutions are accountable, participate in government processes, and use the law to protect their rights and the environment.

Cyberlibel, Freedom of Information and the Right to Speak

Digital platforms allow citizens and communities to report concerns, question public officials, share information, and advocate for their rights. However, online expression also carries legal responsibilities, and cyberlibel complaints may sometimes be used to intimidate or silence community members and human rights defenders.

This resource explains the elements and penalties of cyberlibel, responsible online communication, and the importance of Freedom of Information in promoting transparency and public accountability.

The recent acquittal of Molbog youth leader Angelica Nasiron on two cyberlibel charges demonstrates why courts must carefully distinguish malicious defamation from good-faith advocacy on matters of public and community concern. The Palawan Regional Trial Court found that the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt and recognized her legitimate purpose in defending her community’s ancestral-domain claim. The ruling is an important victory for Nasiron and for community defenders who speak out in the public interest, although it does not resolve the separate questions concerning land ownership, the pending ancestral-domain claim, or the other cases faced by community members.

Knowing the law helps citizens exercise freedom of expression responsibly, seek public information, and continue advocating for their communities without surrendering their right to be heard.

Palawan’s forests, coastal ecosystems, watersheds and wildlife sustain communities, livelihoods and cultures while helping people withstand the worsening effects of climate change.

This collection examines the links among climate action, forest protection, biodiversity conservation and environmental justice. It includes resources on Palawan’s environmental challenges, COP30, forest laws and the impacts of destructive activities on ecosystems and communities.

These materials aim to help citizens understand emerging environmental threats, recognize the value of Indigenous and community knowledge, participate in climate and conservation initiatives, and advocate for development that protects Palawan’s natural heritage for present and future generations.

Environmental protection depends not only on strong laws, but also on transparent government processes, accountable institutions, meaningful public participation, and effective enforcement.

This resource explains how the Philippine government and legal system shape environmental decision-making. It also examines Special Tree Cutting and Earth-Balling Permits (STCEPs), which authorize the cutting, removal, or transplantation of trees and saplings within approved project areas. In Palawan, the issuance and implementation of these permits for mining operations have raised serious questions about forest protection, tree inventories, replacement requirements, the survival of transplanted trees, public access to monitoring reports, and the cumulative effects on biodiversity and communities.

On July 22, 2026, ELAC raised these concerns in a dialogue with DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna. DENR committed to greater transparency in selecting and representing civil society organizations in Multi-partite Monitoring Teams and considered conducting on-the-ground assessments. This was followed by an SPM–DENR PENRO Palawan dialogue on August 17, 2026, where DENR presented information on STCEPs and discussed tree-cutting permits and other impacts associated with mining and extractive activities.

These continuing engagements demonstrate how citizens and civil society organizations can use official records, dialogue, monitoring mechanisms, and legal processes to demand transparency and environmental accountability. They also emphasize the need for DENR and other responsible agencies to publicly disclose permit information, verify compliance, assess ecological impacts, and ensure that environmental safeguards are properly implemented.

Mining, quarrying and dredging can significantly affect forests, watersheds, agricultural lands, coastal areas, biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities. Understanding how these activities are approved and regulated is essential to meaningful public participation and environmental accountability.

This collection explains applicable permits, environmental requirements, regulatory processes and safeguards. It also examines mining and monocrop development, Palawan’s mining moratorium, quarrying and dredging regulations, the circular economy, and the environmental and social consequences of extractive activities.

These resources aim to help communities examine proposed and ongoing projects, request relevant documents, participate in consultations, monitor compliance, report possible violations, and demand appropriate action from companies and responsible government agencies.

Mining and large-scale monocrop plantations can transform forests, watersheds, agricultural lands and ancestral domains. While they may generate investment and employment, they can also affect water quality, food production, biodiversity, community livelihoods and Indigenous Peoples’ rights when environmental safeguards and public participation are inadequate.

Recent developments have intensified these concerns. On March 13, 2025, Palawan adopted Provincial Ordinance No. 3646, establishing a 50-year, extendable moratorium on provincial endorsements for new large- and small-scale mining applications. The measure reflects sustained advocacy by communities, Indigenous Peoples, civil society organizations and other sectors seeking stronger protection for Palawan’s environment.

At the same time, existing mining operations and proposed expansions continue to raise important questions. Ipilan Nickel Corporation has applied to increase its authorized annual production from 1.5 million to 3 million wet metric tons, prompting consultations and concerns about forest clearing, flooding, sedimentation, water resources, agricultural livelihoods and the cumulative effects of mining in southern Palawan. The growing national and international demand for nickel and other critical minerals for renewable energy, batteries and new technologies has added further pressure to develop mineral resources.

Large-scale monocrop plantations—including oil palm and other commercial tree crops—also require continued scrutiny because replacing diverse natural forests and traditional farms with a single crop can reduce biodiversity, affect soil and water systems, and increase communities’ dependence on one commodity. Updated maps, plantation records and environmental assessments are needed to determine their present extent and cumulative impacts in Palawan.

These resources help communities understand mining and plantation proposals, examine permits and environmental documents, participate in consultations, monitor compliance, protect ancestral domains and livelihoods, and advocate for development decisions that respect both human rights and ecological limits.