On April 2009, the Supreme Court of the Philippines convened civil society groups and environmental advocates in a Forum on Environmental Justice: Upholding the Right to a Balanced and Healthful Ecology. SALIGAN participated in the forum, along with our partner organizations. In 2010, the Supreme Court promulgated the Rules on Environmental Procedure, which introduced the concepts of the Writ of Kalikasan, Environmental Protection Order, and Writ of Continuing Mandamus. Moreover, it gave environmental advocates protection from harassment with its novel acknowledgement of Strategic Legal Action Against Public
Participation (SLAPP) suits.

SALIGAN has introduced environmental laws and rules among various advocates and communities in the entire country. Paralegals were capacitated and partnerships with local communities strengthened. This manual aims to complement SALIGAN’s legal education programs.