THE BEGINNING… 

     It was the growing list of environmental problems in 1978 affecting different areas in the country and the seeming lack of awareness and concern that a group of young people were imbued to call for an environment Congress to signify their concerns and involvement in the problems of the environment. 

     The first Philippine Environmental Congress was held at the College of Forestry at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños on October 19-22, 1979. The participants in that congress decided to form a national federation of individuals and groups concerned with the environment, now known as the Philippine Federation for Environmental Concerns (PFEC). 

     The PFEC is a loose network of concerned individuals, non-government organizations and people’s organizations concerned with environmental issues.  Established as the first and only environmental network in 1979, the PFEC was organized based on eight principles: 

1.      A healthy environment is a basic and inalienable human right, and Humans are a part of Nature and not its Master.

2.      Environmental problems must be met with an encompassing strategy and action and from a holistic perspective.

3.      Development must be in harmony with the environment.

4.      Benefits of the country’s natural resources must accrue to all Filipinos, thus environmental efforts must be responsive to their needs.

5.      Environmental consciousness and efforts should be the task of all Filipinos and not just the elite.

6.      Environmental actions must be performed collectively and with coordination.

7.      Environmental action must involve the creative participation of people, independent of vested interest and external pressures.

8.      Filipinos must join hands with people from other countries in seeking solutions to environmental problems. 

The PFEC is guided by the following objectives: 

      1.      Promote and develop environmental consciousness among Filipinos;

      2.      Unite and coordinate with local communities in their efforts for environmental protection and natural resources management; and

      3.      Join in national and worldwide environmental action.