AWARENESS AND VIOLATION OF BROWN LAWS AMONG CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS IN CABANATUAN CITY

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of awareness among first year criminology students in Nueva Ecija regarding brown laws, identify instances of non-compliance, understand the underlying reasons and motivations for violation and develop an action plan grounded in the research findings. The participants in this study were the 1st year students of selected Criminology institutions in Cabanatuan City namely: Manuel V. Gallego Foundation (MVGFC), Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST); PHINMA- Araullo University (Main Campus); and Wesleyan University-Philippines (WU-P). The study concludes that Criminology students are generally aware of various Brown Laws, including RA 9275, RA 9003, RA 8749, and RA 6969. However, despite this awareness, there is a notable tendency for some students to commit environmental violations, particularly under RA 6969, which has the lowest level of awareness and is linked to frequent violations such as storing hazardous wastes and knowingly using prohibited chemical substances. The primary reasons for these violations include the laws' lack of popularity, insufficient media dissemination, lenient enforcement, and a shortage of dedicated enforcement personnel. These factors create an environment where environmental laws, despite being known, are often disregarded. Hence, it is recommended to enhance education and awareness, improve media campaigns and strengthen enforcement to secure compliance and deter potential violators. KEYWORDS: Awareness, Violations, Reasons, Brown Laws, Criminology Students