1ST EXAM COVERAGE SPECIAL LAWS

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (Atty. Jeffrey Jefferson Coronel)1ST EXAM COVERAGE SPECIAL LAWS

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RA 7586SECTION 1. Title This Act shall be known and referred to as the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.SECTION 3. Categories The following categories of protected areas are hereby established:a. Strict nature reserve;b. Natural park;c. Natural monument;d. Wildlife sanctuary;e. Protected landscapes and seascapes;f. Resource reserve;g. Natural biotic areas; andh. Other categories established by law, conventions or international agreements which the Philippine Government is a signatory.SECTION 4. Definition of Terms For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows:1. National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) is the classification and administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent possible;2. Protected Area refers to identified portions of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation;3. Buffer zones are identified areas outside the boundaries of and immediately adjacent to designated protected areas pursuant to Section 8 that need special development control in order to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area;4. Indigenous cultural community refers to a group of people sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits and who have since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized a territory;5. National park refers to a forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness character which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation except in conformity with approved management plan and set aside as such exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these features in such areas;6. Natural monuments is a relatively small area focused on protection of small features to protect or preserve nationally significant natural features on account of their special interest or unique characteristics;7. Natural biotic area is an area set aside to allow the way of life of societies living in harmony with the environment to adapt to modern technology at their pace;8. Natural park is a relatively large area not materially altered by human activity where extractive resource uses are not allowed and maintained to protect outstanding natural and scenic areas of national or international significance for scientific, educational and recreational use;9. Protected landscapes/seascapes are areas of national significance which are characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through the recreation and tourism within the normal lifestyle and economic activity of these areas;10. Resource reserve is an extensive and relatively isolated and uninhabited area normally with difficult access designated as such to protect natural resources of the area for future use and prevent or contain development activities that could affect the resource pending the establishment of objectives which are based upon appropriate knowledge and planning;11. Strict nature reserve is an area possessing some outstanding ecosystem, features and/or species of flora and fauna of national scientific importance maintained to protect nature and maintain processes in an undisturbed state in order to have ecologically representative examples of the natural environment available for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state;12. Tenured migrant communities are communities within protected areas which have actually and continuously occupied such areas for five (5) years before the designation of the same as protected areas in accordance with this Act and are solely dependent therein for subsistence; and13. Wildlife sanctuary comprises an area which assures the natural conditions necessary to protect nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic communities or physical features of the environment where these may require specific human manipulations for their perpetuation.RA 9513Section 1.Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the"Renewable Energy Act of 2008". It shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Act".Section 4.Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act, the following terms are herein defined:(a) "Biomass energy systems" refer to energy systems which use biomass resources to produce heat, steam, mechanical power or electricity through either thermochemical, biochemical or physico-chemical processes, or through such other technologies which shall comply with prescribed environmental standards pursuant to this Act;(b) "Biomass resources" refer to non-fossilized, biodegradable organic material originating from naturally occurring or cultured plants, animals and micro-organisms, including agricultural products, by-products and residues such as, but not limited to, biofuels except corn, soya beans and rice but including sugarcane and coconut, rice hulls, rice straws, coconut husks and shells, corn cobs, corn stovers, bagasse, biodegradable organic fractions of industrial and municipal wastes that can be used in bioconversion process and other processes, as well as gases and liquids recovered from the decomposition and/or extraction of non-fossilized and biodegradable organic materials;(c) "Board of Investments" (BOI) refers to an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry created under Republic Act No. 5186, as amended;(d) "Co-generation systems" refer to facilities which produce electrical and/or mechanical energy and forms of useful thermal energy such as heat or steam which are used for industrial, commercial heating or cooling purposes through the sequential use of energy;(e) "Department of Energy" (DOE) refers to the government agency created pursuant to Republic Act No. 7638 whose functions are expanded in Republic Act No. 9136 and further expanded in this Act;(f) "Department of Environment and Natural Resources" (DENR) refers to the government agency created pursuant to Executive Order No. 192;(g) "Department of Finance" (DOF) refers to the government agency created pursuant to Executive Order No. 127, as amended;(h) "Department of Science and Technology" (DOST) refers to the government agency created pursuant to Executive Order No. 128;(i) "Department of Trade and Industry" (DTI) refers to the government agency created pursuant to Executive Order No. 133;(j) "Distributed generation" refers to a system of small generation entities supplying directly to the distribution grid, any one of which shall not exceed one hundred kilowatts (100 kW) in capacity;(k) "Distribution of Electricity" refers to the conveyance of electricity by a Distribution Utility through its distribution system pursuant to the provision of Republic Act No. 9136;(l) "Distribution Utility" (DU) refers to any electric cooperative, private corporation, government-owned utility or existing local government unit which has an exclusive franchise to operate a distribution system in accordance with its franchise and Republic Act No. 9136;(m) "Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001" or Republic Act No. 9136 refers to the law mandating the restructuring of the electric power sector and the privatization of the National Power Corporation;(n) "Energy Regulatory Commission" (ERC) refers to the independent quasi-judicial regulatory agency created pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136;(o) "Generation Company" refers to any person or entity authorized by the ERC to operate facilities used in the generation of electricity;(p) "Generation Facility" refers to a facility for the production of electricity and/or thermal energy such as, but not limited to, steam, hot or cold water;(q) "Geothermal energy" as used herein and in the context of this Act, shall be considered renewable and the provisions of this Act is therefore applicable thereto if geothermal energy, as a mineral resource, is produced through: (1) natural recharge, where the water is replenished by rainfall and the heat is continuously produced inside the earth; and/or (2) enhanced recharge, where hot water used in the geothermal process is re-injected into the ground to produce more steam as well as to provide additional recharge to the convection system;(r) "Geothermal Energy Systems" refer to machines or other equipment that converts geothermal energy into useful power;(s) "Geothermal Resources" refer to mineral resources, classified as renewable energy resource, in the form of: (i) all products of geothermal processes, embracing indigenous steam, hot water, and hot brines; (ii) steam and other gases, hot water, and hot brines resulting from water, gas, or other fluids artificially introduced into geothermal formations; (iii) heat or associated energy found in geothermal formations; and (iv) any by-product derived from them;(t) "Government Share" refers to the amount due the National Government and Local Government Units from the exploitation, development, and utilization of naturally-occurring renewable energy resources such as geothermal, wind, solar, ocean and hydro excluding biomass;(u) "Green Energy Option" refers to the mechanism to empower end-users to choose renewable energy in meeting their energy requirements;(v) "Grid" refers to the high voltage backbone system of interconnected transmission lines, substations, and related facilities, located in each of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, or as may otherwise be determined by the ERC in accordance with Republic Act No. 9136;(w) "Hybrid Systems" refer to any power or energy generation facility which makes use of two or more types of technologies utilizing both conventional and/or renewable fuel sources, such as, but not limited to, integrated solar/wind systems, biomass/fossil fuel systems, hydro/fossil fuel systems, integrated solar/biomass systems, integrated wind/fossil fuel systems, with a minimum of ten (10) megawatts or ten percent (10%) of the annual energy output provided by the RE component;(x) "Hydroelectric Power Systems" or "Hydropower Systems" refer to water-based energy systems which produce electricity by utilizing the kinetic energy of falling or running water to turn a turbine generator;(y) "Hydroelectric Power Development" or "Hydropower Development" refers to the construction and installation of a hydroelectric power-generating plant and its auxiliary facilities, such as diversion structure, headrace, penstock, substation, transmission, and machine shop, among others;(z) "Hydroelectric Power Resources" or "Hydropower Resources" refer to water resources found technically feasible for development of hydropower projects which include rivers, lakes, waterfalls, irrigation canals, springs, ponds, and other water bodies;(aa) "Local government share" refers to the amount due the LGUs from the exploitation, development and utilization of naturally-occurring renewable energy resources;(bb) "Micro-scale Project" refers to an RE project with capacity not exceeding one hundred (100) kilowatts;(cc) "Missionary Electrification" refers to the provision of basic electricity service in unviable areas with the aim of bringing the operations in these areas to viability levels;(dd) "National government share" refers to the amount due the national government from the exploitation, development and utilization of naturally-occurring renewable energy resources;(ee) "National Power Corporation" (NPC) refers to the government corporation created under Republic Act No. 6395, as amended by Republic Act No. 9136;(ff) "National Transmission Corporation" (TRANSCO) refers to the corporation created pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136 responsible for the planning, construction, and centralized operation and maintenance of high voltage transmission facilities, including grid interconnection and ancillary services;(gg) "Net Metering" refers to a system, appropriate for distributed generation, in which a distribution grid user has a two-way connection to the grid and is only charged for his net electricity consumption and is credited for any overall contribution to the electricity grid;(hh) "Non-power applications" refer to renewable energy systems or facilities that produce mechanical energy, combustible products such as methane gas, or forms of useful thermal energy such as heat or steam, that are not used for electricity generation, but for applications such as, but not limited to, industrial/commercial cooling, and fuel for cooking and transport;(ii) "Ocean Energy Systems" refer to energy systems which convert ocean or tidal current, ocean thermal gradient or wave energy into electrical or mechanical energy;(jj) "Off-Grid Systems" refer to electrical systems not connected to the wires and related facilities of the On-Grid Systems of the Philippines;(kk) "On-Grid System" refers to electrical systems composed of interconnected transmission lines, distribution lines, substations, and related facilities for the purpose of conveyance of bulk power on the grid of the Philippines;(ll) "Philippine Electricity Market Corporation" (PEMC) refers to the Corporation incorporated upon the initiative of the DOE composed of all Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) Members and whose Board of Directors will be the PEM Board;(mm) "Philippine National Oil Company" (PNOC) refers to the government agency created pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 334, as amended;(nn) "Power applications" refer to renewable energy systems or facilities that produce electricity;(oo) "Registered RE Developer" refers to a RE Developer duly registered with the DOE;(pp) "Renewable Energy (Systems) Developers" or "RE Developers" refer to individual/s or a group of individuals formed in accordance with existing Philippine Laws engaged in the exploration, development and utilization of RE resources and actual operation of RE systems/facilities;(qq) "Renewable Energy Market" (REM) refers to the market where the trading of the RE certificates equivalent to an amount of power generated from RE resources is made;(rr) "Renewable Energy Policy Framework" (REPF) refers to the long-term policy developed by the DOE which identifies among others, the goals and targets for the development and utilization of renewable energy in the country;(ss) "Renewable Portfolio Standards" refer to a market-based policy that requires electricity suppliers to source an agreed portion of their energy supply from eligible RE resources;(tt) "Renewable Energy Service (Operating) Contract (RE Contract) " refers to the service agreement between the Government, through the DOE, and RE Developer over a period in which the RE Developer has the exclusive right to a particular RE area for exploration and development. The RE Contract shall be divided into two (2) stages: the pre-development stage and the development/commercial stage. The preliminary assessment and feasibility study up to financial closing shall refer to the pre-development stage. The construction and installation of facilities up to operation phase shall refer to the development stage;(uu) "Renewable Energy Resources" (RE Resources) refer to energy resources that do not have an upper limit on the total quantity to be used. Such resources are renewable on a regular basis, and whose renewal rate is relatively rapid to consider availability over an indefinite period of time. These include, among others, biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, ocean energy, and hydropower conforming with internationally accepted norms and standards on dams, and other emerging renewable energy technologies;(vv) "Renewable Energy Systems" (RE Systems) refer to energy systems which convert RE resources into useful energy forms, like electrical, mechanical, etc.;(ww) "Rural Electrification" refers to the delivery of basic electricity services, consisting of power generation, sub-transmission, and/or extension of associated power delivery system that would bring about important social and economic benefits to the countryside;(xx) "Solar Energy" refers to the energy derived from solar radiation that can be converted into useful thermal or electrical energy;(yy) "Solar Energy Systems" refer to energy systems which convert solar energy into thermal or electrical energy;(zz) "Small Power Utilities Group" (SPUG) refers to the functional unit of the NPC mandated under Republic Act No. 9136 to pursue missionary electrification function;(aaa) "Supplier" refers to any person or entity authorized by the ERC to sell, broker, market or aggregate electricity to the end-users;(bbb) "Transmission of Electricity" refers to the conveyance of electric power through transmission lines as defined under Republic Act No. 9136 by TRANSCO or its buyer/concessionaire in accordance with its franchise and Republic Act No. 9136;(ccc) "Wind Energy" refers to the energy that can be derived from wind that is converted into useful electrical or mechanical energy;(ddd) "Wind Energy Systems" refer to the machines or other related equipment that convert wind energy into useful electrical or mechanical energy;(eee) "Wholesale Electricity Spot Market" (WESM) refers to the wholesale electricity spot market created pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136.RA 10121Section 1.Title.- This Act shall be known as the"Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010".Section 3.Definition of Terms.- For purposes of this Act, the following shall refer to:(a)"Adaptation"- the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.(b)"Capacity"- a combination of all strengths and resources available within a community, society or organization that can reduce the level of risk, or effects of a disaster. Capacity may include infrastructure and physical means, institutions, societal coping abilities, as well as human knowledge, skills and collective attributes such as social relationships, leadership and management. Capacity may also be described as capability.(c)"Civil Society Organizations" Or "CSOs"- non-state actors whose aims are neither to generate profits nor to seek governing power. CSOs unite people to advance shared goals and interests. They have a presence in public life, expressing the interests and values of their members or others, and are based on ethical, cultural, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations. CSOs include nongovernment organizations (NGOs), professional associations, foundations, independent research institutes, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations, people's organizations, social movements, and labor unions.(d)"Climate Change"- a change in climate that can' be identified by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.(e)"Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management" or "CBDRRM"- a process of disaster risk reduction and management in which at risk communities are actively engaged in the identification, analysis, treatment, monitoring and evaluation of disaster risks in order to reduce their vulnerabilities and enhance their capacities, and where the people are at the heart of decision-making and implementation of disaster risk reduction and management activities.(f)"Complex Emergency"- a form of human-induced emergency in which the cause of the emergency as well as the assistance to the afflicted IS complicated by intense level of political considerations.(g)"Contingency Planning"- a management process that analyzes specific potential events or emerging situations that might threaten society or the environment and establishes arrangements in advance to enable timely, effective and appropriate responses to such events and situations.(h) "Disaster" - a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Disasters are often described as a result of the combination of: the exposure to a hazard; the conditions of vulnerability that are present; and insufficient capacity or measures to reduce or cope with the potential negative consequences, Disaster impacts may include loss of life, injury, disease and other negative effects on human, physical, mental and social well-being, together with damage to property, destruction of assets, loss of services, Social and economic disruption and environmental degradation.1avvphi1(i)"Disaster Mitigation"- the lessening or limitation of the adverse impacts of hazards and related disasters. Mitigation measures encompass engineering techniques and hazard-resistant construction as well as improved environmental policies and public awareness.(j)"Disaster Preparedness"- the knowledge and capacities developed by governments, professional response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the Impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions. Preparedness action is carried out within the context of disaster risk reduction and management and aims to build the capacities needed to efficiently manage all types of emergencies and achieve orderly transitions from response to sustained recovery. Preparedness is based on a sound analysis of disaster risk and good linkages with early warning systems, and includes such activities as contingency planning, stockpiling of equipment and supplies, the development of arrangements for coordination, evacuation and public information, and associated training and field exercises. These must be supported by formal institutional, legal and budgetary capacities.(k)"Disaster Prevention"- the outright avoidance of adverse impacts of hazards and related disasters. It expresses the concept and intention to completely avoid potential adverse impacts through action taken in advance such as construction of dams or embankments that eliminate flood risks, land-use regulations that do not permit any settlement in high-risk zones, and seismic engineering designs that ensure the survival and function of a critical building in any likely earthquake.(l)"Disaster Response"- the provision of emergency services and public assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people affected. Disaster response is predominantly focused on immediate and short-term needs and is sometimes called "disaster relief".(m)"Disaster Risk"- the potential disaster losses in lives, health status, livelihood, assets and services, which could occur to a particular community or a Society over some specified future time period.(n)"Disaster Risk Reduction"- the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through reduced exposures to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events.(o)"Disaster Risk Reduction and Management"- the systematic process of using administrative directives, organizations, and operational skills and capacities to implement strategies, policies and improved coping capacities in order to lessen the adverse impacts of hazards and the possibility of disaster. Prospective disaster risk reduction and management refers to risk reduction and management activities that address and seek to avoid the development of new or increased disaster risks, especially if risk reduction policies are not put m place.(p)"Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System"- a specialized database which contains, among others, information on disasters and their human material, economic and environmental impact, risk assessment and mapping and vulnerable groups.(q)"Early Warning System"- the set of capacities needed to generate and disseminate timely and meaningful warning information to enable individuals, communities and organizations threatened by a hazard to prepare and to act appropriately and in sufficient time to reduce the possibility of harm or loss. A people-centered early warning system necessarily comprises four (4) key elements: knowledge of the risks; monitoring, analysis and forecasting of the hazards; communication or dissemination of alerts and warnings; and local capabilities to respond to the warnings received. The expression "end-to-end warning system" is also used to emphasize that warning systems need to span all steps from hazard detection to community response.(r)"Emergency"- unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially danger, demanding immediate action.(s)"Emergency Management"- the organization and management of resources and responsibilities for addressing all aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and initial recovery steps.(t)"Exposure"- the degree to which the elements at risk are likely to experience hazard events of different magnitudes.(u)"Geographic Information System"- a database which contains, among others, geo-hazard assessments, information on climate change, and climate risk reduction and management.(v)"Hazard"- a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihood and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage.(w)"Land-Use Planning"- the process undertaken by public authorities to identify, evaluate and decide on different options for the use of land, including consideration of long-term economic, social and environmental objectives and the implications for different communities and interest groups, and the subsequent formulation and promulgation of plans that describe the permitted or acceptable uses.(x)"Mitigation"- structural and non-structural measures undertaken to limit the adverse impact of natural hazards, environmental degradation, and technological hazards and to ensure the ability of at-risk communities to address vulnerabilities aimed at minimizing the impact of disasters. Such measures include, but are not limited to, hazard-resistant construction and engineering works, the formulation and implementation of plans, programs, projects and activities, awareness raising, knowledge management, policies on land-use and resource management, as well as the enforcement of comprehensive land-use planning, building and safety standards, and legislation.(y)"National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework" or "NDRRMF"- provides for comprehensive, all hazards, multi-sectoral, inter-agency and community-based approach to disaster risk reduction and management.(z)"National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan" or "NDRRMP"- the document to be formulated and implemented by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) that sets out goals and specific objectives for reducing disaster risks together with related actions to accomplish these objectives.The NDRRMP shall provide for the identification of hazards, vulnerabilities and risks to 'be managed at the national level; disaster risk reduction and management approaches and strategies to be applied m managing said hazards and risks; agency roles, responsibilities and lines of authority at all government levels; and vertical and horizontal coordination of disaster risk reduction and management in the pre-disaster and post-disaster phases. It shall be in conformity with the NDRRMF.(aa)"Post-Disaster Recovery"- the restoration and improvement where appropriate, of facilities, livelihood and living conditions. of disaster-affected communities, including efforts to reduce disaster risk factors, in accordance with the principles of "build back better".(bb)"Preparedness"- pre-disaster actions and measures being undertaken within the context of disaster risk reduction and management and are based on sound risk analysis as well as pre-disaster activities to avert or minimize loss of life and property such as, but not limited to, community organizing, training, planning, equipping, stockpiling, hazard mapping, insuring of assets, and public information and education initiatives. This also includes the development/enhancement of an overall preparedness strategy, policy, institutional structure, warning and forecasting capabilities, and plans that define measures geared to help at-risk communities safeguard their lives and assets by being alert to hazards and taking appropriate action in the face of an Imminent threat or an actual disaster.(cc)"Private Sector"- the key actor in the realm of the economy where the central social concern and process are the mutually beneficial production and distribution of goods and services to meet the physical needs of human beings. The private sector comprises private corporations, households and nonprofit institutions serving households.(dd)"Public Sector Employees"- all persons in the civil service.(ee)"Rehabilitation"- measures that ensure the ability of affected communities/areas to restore their normal level of functioning by rebuilding livelihood and damaged infrastructures and increasing the communities' organizational capacity.(ff)"Resilience"- the ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions.(gg)"Response"- any concerted effort by two (2) or more agencies, public or private, to provide assistance or intervention during or immediately after a disaster to meet the life preservation and basic subsistence needs of those people affected and in the restoration of essential public activities and facilities.(hh)"Risk"- the combination of the probability of an event and its negative consequences.(ii)"Risk Assessment"- a methodology to determine the nature and extent of risk by analyzing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that together could potentially harm exposed people, property, services, livelihood and the environment on which they depend. Risk assessments with associated risk mapping include: a review of the technical characteristics of hazards such as their location, intensity, frequency and probability; the analysis of exposure and vulnerability including the physical, social, health, economic and environmental dimensions; and the evaluation of the effectiveness of prevailing and alternative coping capacities in respect to likely risk scenarios.(jj)"Risk Management"- the systematic approach and practice of managing uncertainty to minimize potential harm and loss. It comprises risk assessment and analysis, and the implementation of strategies and specific actions to control, reduce and transfer risks. It is widely practiced by organizations to minimize risk in investment decisions and to address operational risks such as those of business disruption, production failure, environmental damage, social impacts and damage from fire and natural hazards.(kk)"Risk Transfer"- the process of formally or informally shifting the financial consequences of particular risks from one party to another whereby a household, community, enterprise or state authority will obtain resources from the other party after a disaster occurs, in exchange for ongoing or compensatory social or financial benefits provided to that other party.(ll)"State of Calamity"- a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads and normal way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of natural or human-induced hazard.(mm)"Sustainable Development"- development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two (2) key concepts: (1) the concept of "needs", in particular, the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and (2) the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organizations on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs. It is the harmonious integration of a sound and viable economy, responsible governance, social cohesion and harmony, and ecological integrity to ensure that human development now and through future generations is a life-enhancing process.(nn)"Vulnerability"- the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system or asset that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. Vulnerability may arise from various physical, social, economic, and environmental factors such as poor design and construction of buildings, inadequate protection of assets, lack of public information and awareness, limited official recognition of risks and preparedness measures, and disregard for wise environmental management.(oo)"Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups"- those that face higher exposure to disaster risk and poverty including, but not limited to, women, children, elderly, differently-abled people, and ethnic minorities.