The Rights of Nature Bill (House Bill No.133 and Senate Bill No. 558, 20th Congress), initiated by the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) and filed by Oriental Mindoro 1st District Representative Cong. Arnan C. Panaligan, co-authored by several RON champions in the congress and Senator Risa Hontiveros, respectively, seeks to legally recognize natural ecosystems, populations, and processes as legal entities sui generis entitled to certain inherent and inalienable rights, including the right to exist, flourish, regenerate, and be restored. The bill transforms the way we relate to nature, no longer as property or resource, but as rights-bearing entity that deserves legal protection.

• This signature campaign aims to gather public support for the urgent passage of the bill. Your signature calls on lawmakers to take decisive action in defending the environment through legal reform that:
• Legally recognizes nature as a rights-bearing entity (Sec. 3 & 6);
  Empowers citizens to act as stewards and file legal actions for nature’s protection (Sec. 7–8);
• Imposes severe penalties for ecological destruction (Sec. 22);
  Establishes funds and restoration programs that benefit the ecosystem directly (Sec. 9–10);
• Protects biodiversity and intergenerational equity in the face of climate threats and exploitative development (Sec. 2–4, 17);
• Affirms the vital role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as stewards of “Territories of Life” and ensures Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in any development affecting ecosystems (Sec. 14–15); 
• Mandates education and awareness-raising across all levels to instill respect for the inherent rights of natural ecosystems (Sec. 19).
• Requires government and corporations to integrate Rights of Nature principles in policies, planning, and business practices—including environmental and human rights assessments as prerequisites for permits (Sec. 6–7, 18); and
• Shields defenders of nature and public participation by prohibiting Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) (Sec. 13).

✍️Why your signature matters

The Philippines ranks among the countries most at risk from climate change, consistently placing high in global risk indices due to its geographic location and exposure to extreme weather events. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021 by Germanwatch, the Philippines ranked 4th in the list of countries most affected by climate-related disasters from 2000 to 2019.

Source: Germanwatch (2021). Global Climate Risk Index 2021.

Despite this vulnerability, existing environmental laws in the Philippines still allow destructive activities like large-scale mining, reclamation, and deforestation. These laws tend to regulate the use of nature rather than recognize its intrinsic rights. For example, activities like open-pit mining are still legally permitted under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 despite widespread environmental opposition.

Source: La Viña, A., et al. (2020). "The Philippine Environmental Law Review." Ateneo School of Government.

Source: Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995

The Rights of Nature Bill (House Bill No.133) addresses this legal gap by proposing a paradigm shift: from viewing nature as property to treating it as a rights-bearing entity. It gives legal standing to ecosystems, empowering citizens to act as stewards and file legal actions on behalf of nature.

Let your voice count.

Stand for the rights of nature. Sign for nature.

Support our work by Donating: https://pmpi.org.ph/donate/