Amid ongoing environmental decline, Ateneo de Davao University College of Law (AdDU Law) pushed for a balanced development and eco-welfare, transforming legal tools into practical instruments in handling environmental cases in the region.

Climate Justice Capacity Initiative representative Atty. Jennifer Ramos cited how power imbalances silence communities, aiming to equip advocates with legal recourse.

“Not only is it costly, kalaban mo mga ‘big time’ so kailangan mo ng resources; affected communities [object] to file petitions,” Atty. Ramos stated.

She then underscored how environmental cases still struggle to reach legal jurisdiction because of the lack of evidence to support such petitions.

“In the Philippines, we lack scientific resources to back petitions. Unlike in Australia, which has lots of scientific evidence, we lack expertise to back our petitions.”

Ramos also highlighted the possible legal remedies for the public to combat attempts at environmental degradation, such as the Writ of Kalikasan that stops projects that cause large-scale damage and the Writ of Continuing Mandamus that requires government agencies to force action.

“Both writs are liberalized, can be filed at the Court of Appeals, and are exempt from payment of docket fees to enhance environmental justice,” she added.

AdDU Law Professor Atty. William Ruyeras affirmed that these environmental laws seek sustainable development and do not oppose progress.

“Earth is sufficient for everyone’s need, but not for every man’s greed,”  he emphasized. 

CA rejects TEPO petition on DVO-SML bridge

Atty. Ramos cited the implications regarding the Court of Appeals’ (CA) denial of the Temporary Environmental Protection Orders (TEPO) after the petition for a Writ of Kalikasan against the Samal Island-Davao City Bridge.

“Dili sya dismissal sa total case, dismissal lang sya sa provisional remedy,” she clarified in an interview with Davao Today. 

While the construction has not been halted, she highlighted that the legal case is still ongoing and the defendant must file a return of the petition justifying why it will not affect the enumerated areas of concern.

“…Effective ang writ gihapon. Pasabot, within 15 days dapat musubmit ug return ang DENR [ug] DPWH, pero padayon gihapon ang construction kay wala may TEPO.” 

The Continuing Legal Environmental Education forum was held at the F213 Multipurpose Room, Finster Hall, Ateneo de Davao University, on July 16.