Conservation, Protection & Rehabilitation of the Environment & Natural Resources

The country is widely acknowledged as having an outstanding endowment of natural resources, which could provide essential ecosystem services to the population. Demands arising from development and utilization activities, population expansion, poor environmental protection, and external factors such as climate change, however, have placed the country’s environment and natural resources under grave threat. For the medium-term, an environment that is healthy, ecologically balanced, sustainably productive, climate change resilient, and one that provides for present and future generations of Filipinos is envisioned. This vision will be pursued through an integrated and community-based ecosystems approach to environment and natural resources management, precautionary approach to environment and natural resources, sound environmental impact assessment (EIA) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA). These, then, are all anchored on the principles of shared responsibility, good governance, participation, social and environmental justice, intergenerational space and gender equity, with people at the core of conservation, protection and rehabilitation, and developmental initiatives.

Assessment
State of the Environment and Natural Resources
The degraded state of the country’s environment and natural resources is felt most intensely by the poor, especially the rural communities given that they depend on these resources for their primary source of living. On the other hand, poverty frequently aggravates environmental stress as the marginalized population presses upon limited resources, such as unregulated activities and upland cultivation.

Major urban centers are polluted…
With regard to water pollution, the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels of 10 rivers (Bocaue, Anayan, Malaguit, Paniqui, Calapan, Iloilo, Luyang, Sapangdaku, Cagayan de Oro and Balili) are already within standard and BOD levels of rivers have improved. However, waterways in major urban centers, especially esteros, are unfit for human activity, despite recent clean-up efforts. The cost of medical treatment and loss of income from water-borne diseases total PhP6.7 billion per year, according to a WB report (2007).

Solid waste remains a major source of pollutants

* Uncontrolled dumping of raw sewage in coastal areas, particularly those that are thickly populated or used heavily by tourists, contributes to dangerous water contamination levels. The lack of point-source and nonpoint-source pollution controls are the main factors that contribute to the degradation of water quality in the Philippines. * The problem of solid waste disposal is most serious in urban centers, particularly Metro Manila, because of high population density, high consumption rates, and the concentration of packaged goods, and packaging materials, some of which are toxic and nonbiodegradable.

Water is becoming scarcer…

* The country is endowed with abundant water resources. It experiences an average annual rainfall of 2,400 mm. and has 421 river basins, of which 20 are major river basins ranging from 990 to 25,000 sq. km. The country’s watersheds and aquifers, if fully functional, could supply 146 billion cubic meters (BCM) of water annually for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses. Total water availability is estimated at 126 BCM per year from surface water such as rivers or streams, and an estimated 20 BCM per year groundwater potential (NWRB 1998). * Although water is still abundant in certain areas, the country faces the threat of emerging water scarcity. Lack of urban planning, indiscriminate urban development, lack of investment in water, problems of water resource management, and the impact of climate change threaten water security and sustainability.

Quality of farm land is deteriorating and forested lands are shrinking

The quality of land resources has deteriorated steadily because of erosion, pollution and land conversion. Twenty-one percent of the country’s agricultural lands and 36 percent of nonagricultural lands are moderately or severely eroded. Soil erosion has affected the productivity of land, limited the rehabilitation or restoration of degraded lands, lowered the quality of surface water, and modified hydrologic conditions by changing land resources and land management. Moreover, the changing weather patterns have brought about prolonged droughts and excessive rains. Farmers have to endure lower yields and lower income from farming.

The country’s unique biodiversity is under severe pressure

* The Philippines is rich in biological and genetic resources or biodiversity and is one of the 18 megadiverse countries in the world. The majority of plant and animal species in the country are unique and cannot be found anywhere else. The country’s species are among the world’s top 10 in terms of endemism. Given the land density and the density of both flora and fauna, the Philippines may even be considered to be the world’s most megadiverse country.

* The country’s forests and coastal and marine ecosystems, inland water bodies, wetlands and caves are also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The wetlands are home to one of the largest assemblies of microorganisms, reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, and mammals that live within or near waters. Over 1,500 caves have been recorded in the country since 1994 with a significant number yet to be discovered and mapped. These caves are considered unique, natural and nonrenewable resources with important scientific, economic, educational, cultural, historical and aesthetic values.

Coastal and marine resources are under threat

The Philippines has one of the world’s longest coastlines, a total of 36,289 kilometers. The country’s marine jurisdiction extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline (Exclusive Economic Zone) and up to the limits of the continental margin where it extends beyond 200 miles (Extended Continental Shelf). Located within the Coral Triangle, at the center of high marine diversity, the country’s vast, rich and diverse coastal and marine resources are composed of coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove and beach forests, fisheries, invertebrates, seaweeds, marine mammals and many others. About 60 percent of the total Philippine population live in the coastal zones and depend on these coastal resources for livelihoods.

Mineral resource development is delivering mixed results

The mining industry in the Philippines has rebounded due to the promotion and revitalization of responsible mining and recognition of the industry’s possible contribution in inducing economic growth, attracting investments and reducing poverty in the countryside. Challenges remain on the emerging framework of responsible mining specifically on corporate accountability, voluntary compliance among companies and giving of due recognition to local autonomy and indigenous peoples’ rights.

Extreme vulnerability to environmental hazards and climate-related risk
Owing to its location and natural attributes, the country is prone or vulnerable to natural hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Active faults and trenches line the country (Figure 10.2). The longest of these, the Philippine Fault, is one of the major active faults in the world. On the average, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) records 20 earthquake occurrences every day, but damage is normally caused by shallow-focus earthquakes with Magnitude 6 or more and when the associated ground shaking is at Intensity 6 or higher. The country has 300 volcanoes, of which 22 are active.

Challenges

Policy Responses

In line with RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, technical assistance was provided to 1,325 LGUs for the closure and rehabilitation of open or controlled dumps, while technical assistance for the establishment of sanitary landfills was extended to 236 LGUs. Despite closure orders and technical assistance, there were still 838 open dumpsites and 396 controlled disposable facilities that need to be closed or rehabilitated. Only 338 of 1,610 cities and municipalities (20.9%) have completed their solid waste management plans. In Metro Manila, only eight out of 17 cities and municipalities have complete plans.

Women and the Environment and Natural Resources

Women, especially the poor, are most vulnerable to changing environmental conditions and economic shifts. The roles of women in the management of the environment and natural resources management have not been duly recognized. Women’s initiatives that include establishment of women-managed areas illustrate women’s enhanced role in effective implementation of coastal resources management. Yet, women are still less recognized particularly in existing policies. One of the critical challenges is the implementation of the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), of which an increase in the number of women participating in Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils and other bodies are mandated. In terms of access to productive resources, women enjoy less benefits than their male counterparts. There is differential access among men and women to forest resources. DENR data in 2002/2003 show that women beneficiaries make up only 30 percent of the total holder of community-based forest management agreements (CBFMAs).

Source: Philippine Council for Women and Women Network of Aksyon Klima, 2010

The Philippines passed the Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729) to incorporate climate change in government policy formulation and establish the framework strategy for climate change. The National Framework Strategy on Climate Change was formulated in 2010 to ensure and strengthen the adaptation of the country’s natural ecosystems and human communities to climate change, charting a cleaner development path for the country in the process. This is reinforced by the enactment of RA 10121, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

Environmental Education

In 2008, the Philippines enacted RA 9512 or the “National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008”. This legislation concretized the country’s support to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) and the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan for Sustainable Development (2008-2012). This law has reiterated the policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The law has further recognized the vital role of the youth in nation building, and the role of education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress and provide total human liberation and development.

Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (formerly NDCC) has been given the mandate to protect the wellbeing of people and safeguard the national economy and environment through more concrete financial investment in DRR. This paradigm shift is also in consonance with the country’s international commitment to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) of 2005, which seeks to build the resilience of nations and communities in the face of disasters. The National DRRM Framework and Plan utilizes the multihazard approach in managing the impact of natural and human-induced disasters. It calls for building the disaster resilience of communities and institutionalizing arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks, and enhancing disaster-preparedness and response capabilities at all levels. Since DRR is closely linked to poverty alleviation and development, it is necessary to link it firmly to development planning at all levels.

Devolution of ENR Functions

The Local Government Code of 1991 placed LGUs at the forefront of environment and natural resources management. According to the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), the following ENR functions were devolved to LGUs in 2005: a. Regulation of environmental impacts of SMEs under Kalakalan 20 Law;
b. Regulation of fishing in municipal waters;
c. Regulation of minor mineral extraction like small-scale mining and certain scales of quarrying and sand and gravel gathering;
d. Regulation of nuisance and pollution under the Clean Air Act;
e. Solid waste management under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act; and
f. Antismoke belching program. Likewise, the Code assigns municipalities the task of establishing a solid waste disposal system or environmental management system and services or facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation. Meanwhile, provinces are tasked to enforce forestry laws limited to community-based forestry projects, pollution control law, small-scale mining law, and other laws on the protection of the environment; and minihydro electric projects for local purposes.

Source: WB Country Environmental Analysis, 2009

Institutional Issues

Despite government efforts at sustainably managing the country’s environment and natural resources, environmental degradation continues. The plethora of laws and policies, as well as the established agencies to manage, protect, and preserve the country’s environment and natural resources have not sufficed or worked effectively enough to address the threats to ecological integrity. Institutional issues need to be addressed to ensure the sustainability of the country’s fragile environment and natural resources. Policies, programs and existing institutional arrangements must be revisited in order to move forward and deliver the promise of sustainable development.

Enforcement of environmental laws and policies is inadequate

Full and effective implementation of environmental laws, policies and programs continues to be a challenge. Governance issues, including corruption, are among the reasons for low compliance in these laws. The incomplete devolution of mandates to LGUs has also hampered their full implementation. A DILG-commissioned study in 2005 called the state of environment and natural resource devolution “partial and at worst, minuscule and insignificant”. Devolved functions were mainly peripheral, unattractive to private investors, and were costly to perform. Among these functions were watershed regulation, greenbelt and treepark development, farmer-level integrated social forestry, and small-scale mining, all of which do not attract significant investments from the private sector or are limited to certain LGUs.

Strategic Framework

Consistent with Philippine Agenda 21 and its enhanced version and the country’s commitments to multilateral environmental agreements, the Environment and Natural Resource Sector shall pursue the following goals and strategies.

Goal 1. Improved Conservation, Protection and Rehabilitation of Natural Resources

In order to improve the conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of the country’s natural resources, the sector shall pursue their sustainable use and integrated management. Natural resources management activities shall be directed at enhancing the state of the different ecosystems and the natural resources within them to provide resource-dependent communities with sustainable livelihoods.

* Sustainably manage forests and watersheds * Improve protection and conservation of biodiversity * Enhance coastal and marine resources management * Improve land administration and management * Manage a more equitable utilization of mineral resources * Develop and implement environment-friendly enterprise and livelihood opportunities.

Goal 2. Improved Environmental Quality for a Cleaner and Healthier Environment

In order to provide communities with a healthier environment, the quality of the air, land and water must improve. Vital to the improvement of environmental quality is the full implementation of laws and other regulatory measures. Measures to reduce pollution and waste generation will also be pursued. The promotion of green jobs and the greening of industry are win-win solutions that should be pursued.

* Reduce air pollution in Metro Manila and other major urban centers * Reduce water pollution to improve water quality in priority rivers and other economically and ecologically important water bodies * Reduce wastes generated and improve waste disposal * Establish a healthier and livable urban environment

Goal 3. Enhanced Resilience of Natural Systems and Improved Adaptive Capacities of Human Communities to Cope with Environmental Hazards Including Climate- Related Risks

* Strengthen institutional capacities of national and local governments for CCA and DRRM * Enhance the resilience of natural systems * Improve adaptive capacities of communities Crosscutting Strategies

In order to achieve the three goals and to realize an environment that is healthy, ecologically-balanced, sustainably productive, climate-change resilient, the following crosscutting strategies will be pursued. * Effective environmental governance * Continued institutional strengthening and capability building * Research, Development, Extension and Knowledge Management * Environment and Natural Resource Financing

Legislative Agenda
In order to push forward sustainable management of the country’s environment and natural resources, the passage of the following pieces of priority legislation should be pursued. 1. National Land Use Bill 2. A Sustainable Forestry Bill 3. Land Administration Reform Bill 4. Land Administration Code 5. Marine Pollution Bill 6. Permanent Forestline Bills 7. Bills on Enactment of Priority Protected Areas 8. Integrated Coastal Management Bill 9. Improvement and enhancement of Small-Scale Mining Law 10. Enactment of legislation recognizing access to clean water and sanitation as a human right 11. People’s Survival Fund (PSF) Bill 12. Archipelagic Principle Bill 13. Extended Producers Responsibility Bill 14. Formulation of the Electronic Waste (e-waste) policy 15. Environmental Code for LGUs 16. Marine Protected Area Bill 17. PAG-ASA Modernization Law 18. Bill on Hazardous and Radio Active Waste Management 19. Minerals Management Bill 20. Ratification of the Basel Ban Amendments