Environmental Policies in the Philippines

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE QUARTER FOUR MODULE FIVE Environmental Policies in the Philippines

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

One. Name the government environmental laws and policies to protect the land, water and air

Two. Describe the implementation of the laws and policies on land, water and air

Three. Cite situations observed within the community in which environmental laws and policies are adopted.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Presidential Decree fifteen eighty-six in nineteen seventy-eight thus built up an Environmental Impact Statement System.

Specifically, Section two states "There is hereby established an Environmental Impact Statement system founded and based on the Environmental Impact Statement required, under Section four of Presidential Decree fifteen fifty-one, of all agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including Government Owned Companies and Corporations, as well as private corporations, firms and entities, for every proposed project and undertaking which significantly affect the quality of the environment.

Environmental Impact Assessment is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account interrelated socio-economic, cultural and human health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.

In the Philippines, we have Environmental Impact Statement System under Presidential Decree fifteen eighty-six which was ratified on June eleventh, nineteen seventy-eight. The main objective of this law is to maintain the balance between the environment and the socio-economic development of the country.

The main concern of Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System is with assessing the direct and indirect impacts of a project on the biophysical and human environment and guaranteeing that these impacts are addressed by proper environmental protection and enhancement measures.

It aids proponents in incorporating environmental considerations in planning their projects as well as in determining the environment's impact on their project.

Government Agencies as reiterated by Republic Act seven thousand one hundred sixty or the Local Government Code have an important role in environmental management.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources felt the urgency to develop an integrated approach towards an effective implementation of the country's environmental management functions through a formalized interagency collaboration specifically under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.

Republic Act seven thousand one hundred sixty, otherwise known as the Local Government Code was enacted into law, transferring control and responsibility of delivering basic services to the hands of local government units. It aimed to enhance provision of services in the grassroots level as well as improve the efficiency in resource allocation.

A Memorandum of Agreement with twenty-nine Government Agencies was made to incorporate environmental aspects and consider the conditions of the Environmental Compliance Certificate into their decision-making process, and require the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate prior to the release of permits, licenses and resolutions by the participating Government Agencies.

Some revisions have been made and one of these is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.

The revisions focus on the integration of new Environmental Management Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural Resources policies to further promote Environmental Impact Assessment as a planning and decision-making tool under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.

It is also stated that the findings of Environmental Impact Assessment may be used or considered in giving permits, clearances, licenses, endorsements, resolutions, and other government approvals.

The three major environmental problems that the government agencies are facing: water pollution, air pollution and waste products which affect the quality of soil.

Water pollution of rivers, lakes and marine water in the Philippines is now in a very serious state, major rivers in Metro Manila areas are heavily polluted by industrial and domestic effluent and wastes.

In rural areas, water quality is dropping due to agricultural chemicals, chemical fertilizers, heavy metals and toxic substances.

Losses due to environmental damage in pollution, the Philippines has many water-related laws, but their enforcement is weak and beset

The State shall pursue a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent with the protection, preservation and revival of the quality of our fresh, brackish and marine waters.

To achieve this end, the framework for sustainable development shall be pursued.

As such, it shall be the policy of the State:

a. To streamline processes and procedures in the prevention, control and abatement of pollution of the country's water resources;

b. To promote environmental strategies, use of appropriate economic instruments and of control mechanisms for the protection of water resources;

c. To formulate a holistic national program of water quality management that recognizes that water quality management issues cannot be separated from concerns about water sources and ecological protections, water supply, public health and quality of life.

d. To formulate an integrated water quality management framework through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities;

e. To promote commercial and industrial processes and products that are environment friendly and energy efficient.

f. To encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries through the application of incentives and market-based instruments and to promote the role of private industrial enterprises in shaping its regulatory profile within the acceptable boundaries of public health and environment.

g. To provide for a comprehensive management program for water pollution focusing on pollution prevention.

h. To promote public information and education and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in water quality management and monitoring.

i. To formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project, program or activity; and j. To encourage civil society and other sectors, particularly labor, the academe and business undertaking environment-related activities in their efforts to organize, educate and motivate the people in addressing pertinent environmental issues and problems at the local and national levels.

Furthermore, according to Presidential Decree nine hundred eighty-four, section six, item "g" (Pollution Control Law), this gives the agency the right to collect "Environmental Users Fees" (pollution charges) in proportion to the burden on the environment.

Presidential Decree nine hundred eighty-four put in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (then the National Pollution Control Commission) with "the authority to issue, renew or deny permits under such conditions as it may deem reasonable for the prevention and abatement of pollution from the discharge of sewage, industrial waste and enforce reasonable fees and charges for the issuance or renewal of all permits herein required."

Presidential Decree nine hundred eighty-four, enacted nineteen seventy-six, Implemented nineteen seventy-eight. Purpose. To prevent, abate and control pollution of water, air and land for the more effective utilization of the resources.

The major environmental problem is air pollution.

Many cities and areas in the Philippines are exposed to air pollution.

The causes of air pollution can be divided into two depending on the type of source:

a. mobile sources such as automobiles b. fixed sources such as power plants and factories.

Based on the research conducted in Metro Manila area in nineteen ninety it revealed that an estimated twenty-one percent of particle-like substances, eighty-three percent of nitrogen oxides, ninety-nine percent of carbon monoxides and twelve percent of sulfur oxides are due to automobile exhaust.

According to the twenty nineteen World Air Quality report, the Philippines was said to have seventeen point six micrograms per cubic meter of PM two point five - holding the fifty-seventh place from the country with the worst air quality. In contrast, the Philippines ranks as the country with the lowest pollutant amongst Southeast Asia countries.

To deal with this problem, the government assembled Republic Act eight thousand seven hundred forty-nine, an act providing for a comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes.

This act shall be known as "Philippine Clean Air Act of nineteen ninety-nine".

The passage of the Philippine Clean Air Act (Republic Act eight thousand seven hundred forty-nine) on June twenty-third, nineteen ninety-nine, provides for a comprehensive air pollution control policy, as it outlines the government's measures to reduce air pollution by including environmental protection activities into its development plans.

The State shall pursue a policy of balancing development and environmental protection.

To achieve this end, the framework for sustainable development shall be pursued. It shall be the policy of the State to:

a. Formulate a holistic national program of air pollution management that shall be implemented by the government through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities;

b) Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries through the application of market-based instruments;

c) Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on control and provide for a comprehensive management program for air pollution;

d) Promotes public information and education and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in air quality planning and monitoring; and e. Promote national research and development programs for improved solid waste management and resource conservation techniques, more effective institutional arrangement and indigenous and improved methods of waste reduction, collection, separation and recovery;

f. Encourage greater private sector participation in solid waste management;

g. Retain primary enforcement and responsibility of solid waste management with local government units while establishing a cooperative effort among the national government, other local government units, non-government organizations, and the private sector;

h. Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among waste generators through the application of market-based instruments;

i. Institutionalize public participation in the development and implementation of national and local integrated, comprehensive and ecological waste management programs; and j. Strengthen the integration of ecological solid waste management and resource conservation and recovery topics into the academic curricula of formal and nonformal education in order to promote environmental awareness and action among the citizenry.

· Almost all waste is thrown in open dumpsites.

· "Smokey Mountain" in Tondo and "Payatas Dumpsite" in Quezon City are famous dumpsites in the Philippines that are now closed due to the mandate of Republic Act nine thousand three.

· Due to this incidence, many of the waste products or garbage of the citizens are illegally thrown in different open areas, lakes and rivers.

· As a result of this action, soil pollution, sanitation problems, insect and pest plague, as well as the continuous combustion of wastes or incineration, air pollution, and water pollution increases.

· The collection and disposal of solid waste is the responsibility of local authorities, according to the law.

· Despite the methods of disposal adopted as described above, the increased cost of refuse disposal is now a problem.

It was called "Smokey Mountain" because of the thick smoke coming from burning waste. There were two million tons of waste dumped there. It made a big mountain. The reason Smokey Mountain closed was because the local government repossessed that land for commercial development. They relocated the residents as a result to neighboring landfills.

The Payatas dumpsite, established in the nineteen seventies, was an open dumpsite in Lupang Pangako in Payatas, Quezon City. The Payatas landslide was a garbage dump collapse at Payatas, Quezon City, Philippines, on July ten, two thousand. A large pile of garbage first collapsed and then went up in flames which resulted in the destruction of about one hundred squatters' houses. The dumping ground was immediately closed following the incident by then President Joseph Estrada but was reopened weeks later by then- Quezon City Mayor Ismael Mathay Junior to avert an epidemic in the city due to uncollected garbage caused by the closure. In two thousand four, the Payatas dumpsite was reconfigured as a controlled disposal facility. but was closed in December two thousand ten.

· For environmental policies to be implemented, it should outline the commitment to reduce its impact on the environment.

" The policy should be specific and relevant to the activities.

· It should be realistic, achievable and committed to lessen or reduce environmental impact.

Environmental policy can include laws and policies addressing water and air pollution, chemical and oil spills, smog, drinking water quality, land conservation and management, and wildlife protection, such as the protection of endangered species.

· Here are some criteria that an environmental policy should contain:

One. Continually improve environmental performance.

Two. Prevent pollution and reduce impact on the environment.

Three. Comply with relevant environmental laws.

Four. Efficient use of water, energy and other natural resources.

Five. Sustainable transport.

Six. Recycling and minimizing waste.

Seven. Use of non-toxic products (e.g. biodegradable cleaning products)

Eight. Raising awareness and training employees on environmental issues.

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