SC approves creation of 117 environmental courts

In a bid to improve the handling of cases related to violations of environmental laws, the Supreme Court has approved the creation of 117 environmental or “green courts.”

In a two-page resolution, the SC granted the recommendation of the Philippine Judicial Academy for the designation of environmental courts as one of the options to improve environmental adjudication in the country.

Lawyer Midas Marquez, SC spokesman, said the creation of the green courts was proposed during an international environmental conference held last year at the EDSA Shangri-La hotel sponsored by the Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN).

The SC has designated 45 lower courts as Forestry Courts. Forty-eight first level courts and 24 second level trial courts will handle cases involving violations of Republic Act 8550 (Fisheries Code) and Republic Act 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

“The Court further resolved to consider all single sala first and second level courts as special courts to hear and decide environmental cases, in addition to their regular duties,” the Court said.

First level courts are the Municipal Trial Courts (MTC), Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTC) and Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCC). Meanwhile, second level courts refer to Regional Trial Courts (RTCs).

Marquez said that there is a need to establish green courts because regular courts tend to prioritize criminal and civil cases over cases involving violations of environmental laws.

“The Court will soon be identifying these courts as we are still verifying the number of environmental cases still pending before our courts,” Marquez said.

In addition, the Court has also agreed to conduct capacity-building programs or trainings for the personnel of environmental courts and appellate courts after the formal designation of these environmental courts.

Data from the Philippine Judicial Academy show that 3120 cases are currently filed in the various lower courts in relation to violations of environmental laws.