Law and Policy Database

The Building Control Act of 1989 provides that the application for the approval of the plans of any building works must be made to the Commissioner of Building Control. Significantly, it contains a portion on environmental sustainability measures for buildings, including a system of Green Mark scores referring to the environmental sustainability of a building.

The 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution seeks to limit and gradually reduce and prevent air pollution including long-range transboundary air pollution. "Long-range transboundary air pollution" is defined as air pollution whose physical origin is situated wholly or in part within the area under the national jurisdiction of one State and which has adverse effects in the area under the jurisdiction of another State at such a distance that it is not generally possible to distinguish the contribution of individual emission sources or groups of sources.

The United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 43/53 (“Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind") endorsed the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and recognized that climate change is a priority issue. It called upon Governments and intergovernmental organizations to collaborate in making every effort to prevent detrimental effects on climate and activities which affect the ecological balance, and also call upon non-governmental organizations, industry and other productive sectors to play their due role.

The Act declared the State's policy of promoting a high standard of ethics in public service. Pursuant thereto, the Act sets out the code of conduct and ethical standards which public officials and employees are required to abide by.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (VCPOL). The protocol provides for the phasing out of the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances, with the objective of protecting the stratospheric ozone layer which protects the earth from harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

The Brundtland Commission, then known as the World Commission on Environment and Development, was established by the United Nations General Assembly. The commission focused on the pursuit of sustainable development which states should pursue in unity, while protecting and enhancing the environment. In its report, the commission discussed common concerns, common challenges and common endeavors of states.

The respondent contends that she was paid remuneration less than those paid to her male colleagues doing similar work. Ruling in favor of the respondent, the court cited the Convention Concerning Equal Remuneration for Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value to which India is a signatory.

The Constitution of the Philippines declares that the Philippines is a democratic and republican State and declares certain principles and state policies. The constitution also contains a bill of rights which recognizes certain fundamental rights and freedoms. It likewise defines the structure of government, citizenship, and suffrage, as well as contains articles on Natural Economy and Patrimony, and Social Justice and Human Rights.

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines was enacted under President Corazon C. Aquino's administration. Previous Constitutions that governed the country were the 1986 Freedom Constitution, 1973 Constitution, 935 Commonwealth Constitution, as well as Constitutions drafted and adopted under President Jose P. Laurel in 1943 and President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898.

Under the Convention for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment, the Parties undertake the obligation to take all appropriate measures in conformity with international law and in accordance with the Convention and the Protocols in force to which they are party to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the Convention Area. The Convention does not provide for detailed liabilities in case of non-compliance but instead invites the parties to cooperate in formulating procedures on liability and compensation resulting from pollution.