ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE PHILIPPINES

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE PHILIPPINES.

The Philippines' evident risk to natural disasters is due to its location. Being a country that lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, it is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In addition, the country is surrounded by large bodies of water and facing the Pacific Ocean where 60% of the world's typhoons are made. One of the most devastating typhoons that hit the Philippines in 2013 was Typhoon Haiyan , or "Yolanda," that killed over 10,000 people and destroyed over a trillion pesos worth of properties and damage to various sectors.

Other environmental problems that the country is facing include pollution, illegal mining and logging, deforestation, dynamite fishing, landslides, coastal erosion, wildlife extinction, global warming and climate change. Here are some of the content: 1. Water Pollution 2. Deforestation 3. Air Pollution 4. Climate Change.

1. WATER POLLUTION. dillilll. Pasig River in Manila is one of the world’s most polluted river..

Although water resources have become scarce in some regions and seasons, the Philippines as a whole has more than enough surface and groundwater. However, neglecting to have a coherent environmental policy has led to the contamination of 58% of the groundwater in the Philippines.The main source of pollution is untreated domestic and industrial waste water. Only one third of Philippine river systems are considered suitable for public water supply..

It is estimated that in 2025, water availability will be marginal in most major cities and in 8 of the 19 major river basins. Besides severe health concerns, water pollution also leads to problems in the fishing and tourism industries.The national government recognized the problem and since 2004 has sought to introduce sustainable water resources development management..

1. Water Pollution. Local government workers gather dead fish for disposal after being washed overnight along the coastline at the reclaimed 'Freedom Island' in suburban Las Piñas City South Manila, Philippines ..

Manila: Polluted water has been blamed for the massive fish kill that lined the shores of the cities of Las Piñas and Parañaque in Southern Metro Manila in recent days. According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), tests conducted on water samples collected from the two cities showed low amounts of dissolved oxygen and other imbalances . “The water quality test conducted in three sampling areas by BFAR’s National Fisheries Laboratory Division and BFAR 4A [Region 4A or the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas , Rizal, Quezon corridor] shows poor levels of dissolved oxygen and higher levels of ammonia and phosphates than the standard level,” BFAR said in a statement..

Based on assessments, there was an apparent depletion of dissolved oxygen in the collected water samples. BFAR said that to be considered “normal,” dissolved oxygen should be greater than five parts per million (ppm), but tests showed it was only 0.70 to 2 ppm. The water samples also have high levels of ammonia at 3.59 ppm when the norm is less than .05 ppm. Ammonia is a naturally occurring chemical given off by decomposing organic matter such as plants, animals and animal waste, however, in the case of the collected water samples, there are indications that these compound could have come from agricultural, domestic or industrial wastes..

Another element found in the tests is phosphates, which could come from raw domestic sewage, agricultural runoff or urban wastes . Experts said it was likely that pollution, chemical, organic or otherwise that could be responsible for the fish kill . While Las Pinas and Paranaque are among the most urbanised areas of Metro Manila, a considerable number of residents, particularly those living in coastal areas, rely on fishing for their livelihood. The coastal waters of the two cities are also part of the Manila Bay. It can be recalled that last year, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay due to years of pollution and neglect..

Pollution comes in the forms of raw sewage, detergents, fertilizer, heavy metals, chemical products, oils and solid wastes, hereby resulting in 22.2 million metric tons of organic pollution annually, thus the country urgently needs methods to control the pollution. Especially considering the fact that 50 out of the 421 rivers are considered biologically dead, in addition to only 47% of the 127 freshwater rivers contain good water quality ..

Due to the lack of freshwater and the majority of bodies of water being infected, causing an outbreak in many disease-causing bacteria and viruses resulting in health outbreaks and increase in death rates, including economic costs of P67 (€1.25) billion for health, fisheries production and tourism. Some of the known diseases caused by poor water include gastro-enteritis, diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome..

Summary: Thus , although the Philippines has several laws regarding water pollution, including the aims to protect the country's water bodies from pollution from land-based sources R.A.9275 Clean Water Act implemented in 2004, the lack of enforcement is of great concern, in addition to problems such as inadequate resources, poor database, and weak cooperation among different agencies and Local Government Units . Bottom Line The Philippines needs to increase the awareness regarding the improvement of sanitation and water pollution to reduce illnesses caused by water-born sources, and act upon implementing these solutions (such as expanding sewerage collection and treatment) since 31% of illnesses are caused by water born diseases..

2. Deforestation The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for indigenous people..

It refers to the clearing, destroying, or removal of trees via deliberate, natural, or accidental means. This happens in any area or location that is densely populated by trees and other plant life, The Amazon rainforest is where most of deforestation, as of the moment. This causes climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, and flooding, among others, according to Pachamama.org ..

Effects of Deforestation on the Environment plants and animals face extinction diminished gene pools to unforeseen ratifications.

Here are the following effects, according to the said website :  Loss of Habitat This is one of the most fatal and unsettling effect. Most of land animals and plant species live in forests since the trees provide shelter for some species and canopy that regulates the temperature. The loss of trees threaten species, both known and unknown.  Increased Greenhouse Gases Deforestation causes greater amount of greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere, Forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The lack of trees render the area unable to absorb carbon..

 Water in the Atmosphere Trees also help control the level of water in the atmosphere via water cycle regulation. There is less water in the air in deforested. This would cause dryer soil and the inability to grow crops.  Soil Erosion and Flooding The lack of trees include and coastal flooding. Trees aid the land to retain water and topsoil, which provides the rich nutrients to sustain additional forest life. Without them, the soil erodes and washes away.  Destruction of Homelands This causes exposed earth to whither and die as well as the destruction of the habitats of innumerable species. Indigenous communities who live there are dependent on the forest to sustain their lives..

1. Government Regulations The best solution to deforestation is to curb the felling of trees by enforcing a series of rules and laws to govern it. Deforestation in the current scenario may have reduced; however, it would be too early to assume. 2. Banning Clear-Cutting of Forests This will curb the total depletion of the forest cover. It is a practical solution and is very feasible . 3. Reforestation and Afforestation Land skinned of its tree cover for urban settlements should be urged to plant trees in the vicinity and replace the cut trees. Also, the cutting must be replaced by planting young trees to replace the older ones that were cut..

Air pollution can damage crops and trees in a variety of ways. Ground-level ozone can lead to reductions in agricultural crop and commercial forest yields, reduced growth and survivability of tree seedlings, and increased plant susceptibility to disease, pests and other environmental stresses (such as harsh weather ). Due to industrial waste and automobiles, Manila suffers from air pollution, affecting 98% of the population. Annually , the air pollution causes more than 4,000 deaths. Ermita is Manila's most air polluted district due to open dump sites and industrial waste. According to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the country produces an average of 41 kilotons of garbage daily with almost 10 ktons /day coming from Metro Manila alone ..

Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases that are suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires. The solid and liquid particles suspended in our air are called aerosols . Various Causes of Air pollution 1.The Burning of Fossil Fuels. ... 2.Agricultural Activities. ... 3.Waste in Landfills. ... 4.Exhaust From Factories and Industries. ... 5.Mining Operations. ... 6.Indoor Air Pollution. ... 7.Natural Events..

I ndustrial waste and car and truck exhaust, dust, and pollen,.

Possible Solution: Get the most out of your car by keeping it well-maintained . Reduce emissions even more with eco-friendly modes of transportation . Recycle and compost to divert waste from landfills . Conserve energy to reduce power plant emissions ..

4. Climate Change. What is climate chanqe 1. Climate change is a long-term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. 2. It may be a change in average weather -conditionsnrffl&distribution orevents around that average (e.g., more or fewer extreme weather events). Climate change may be limited to a specific region ormay occur across the whole Earth..

One of the most pressing environmental issues impacting the Philippines is climate change. As an island country located in the Southeast Asia Pacific region, the Philippines is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Some of these impacts include increased frequency and severity of disasters, sea level rise, extreme rainfall, resource shortages, and environmental degradation. All of these impacts together have greatly affected the Philippines' agriculture, water, infrastructure, human health, and coastal ecosystems and they are projected to continue having devastating damages to the economy and society of the Philippines ..

Duterte renews calls for climate justice following typhoons in Philippines — but will rich nations listen? | The Independent.

Bertrand Piccard’s solution-oriented approach; Applying his pioneering spirit to environmental protection, Bertrand Piccard was one of the first, as early as the 2000s, to consider ecology through the lens of economic profitability. For him, the fight against pollution will only become a reality if it is perceived as economically viable and does not require financial or behavioral sacrifices. He promotes an approach oriented towards clean technological solutions to improve the quality of life..

To support his approach, he federates stakeholders through the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions, creates synergies between players and develops, through the Solar Impulse Foundation, partnerships with political and economic decision-makers. His objective is to provide them with a Guide of 1000+ Solutions to help them achieve clean economic growth..

Four (4) Axes to relay his action: 1 . Qualitative growth - Demonstrate how qualitative growth can solve the dilemma between degrowth leading to social chaos and quantitative growth leading to ecological disaster . 2. Economic opportunities - Show how new clean technologies and efficient solutions needed to solve climate change open up new opportunities for economic development through profitable investments rather than costs . 3 . Market of the century - Demonstrate how replacing old and polluting devices and systems with modern and efficient technologies is the industrial market of the century. 4 . Legal framework - Advocate for the modernization of our legal framework to facilitate the market introduction of innovative products and new clean and energy-efficient processes..

The human rights situation in the Philippines deteriorated in 2020. The killings increased dramatically during the Covid-19 lockdown, rising by over 50 percent during April to July 2020 compared to the previous four months. There has been almost total impunity for these killings . Threats and attacks, including killings, against left-wing political activists, environmental activists, community leaders, Indigenous peoples’ leaders, journalists, lawyers, and others rose in the past year. The government harassed journalists and media companies, including through politically motivated prosecutions and other legal action.

Unending “Drug War ” According to official government figures, members of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency killed 5,903 individuals during anti-drug operations from July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2020. This number did not include the deaths of those killed by unidentified gunmen whom Human Rights Watch and other rights monitors believe operate in cooperation with local police and officials ..

Among those severely affected by the “drug war” violence are children left behind by the victims. These children are often driven deeper into poverty, suffer deep psychological distress, often drop out of school for financial and other reasons, and suffer bullying in their schools or communities. The vast majority of “drug war” killings have not been seriously investigated by the authorities. Only a handful of cases are in varying stages of investigation by prosecutors. Only one case—the video recorded murder of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos in August 2017—has resulted in the 2018 conviction of several police officers..

Political Killings, Threats, Harassment On June 4, OHCHR published a report that found “numerous systematic human rights violations” in the Philippines, among them the killing of 208 human rights defenders and activists since 2015 . The military, national security agencies, and the police have actively used social media to convey threats that have resulted in tens of red-tagged people being killed in the past year . The Anti-Terrorism Law . The law contains overbroad and vague provisions that the government can use to unjustly target critics. Among its provisions is the creation of a government-appointed Anti-Terrorism Council that can designate a person or a group as a terrorist, making them immediately liable to be arrested without warrant or charges and be detained for up to 24 days..

Freedom of Media In June, a court in Manila convicted a news website Rappler of cyber libel, along with a former Rappler researcher. The case involved the retroactive application of the new law to an article that had been published years earlier. The case is one of several that the Rappler face as part of the government’s campaign of retaliation campaign against media organizations for their reporting on “drug war” killings..

In July, the Philippine Congress, in which the administration controls a large majority, voted not to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN, the country’s largest television network. The vote led to the shutdown of ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN earned the ire of the administration and his officials who accused the network, which often criticized the government’s “war on drugs,” of bias . . In December 2019, a Manila court convicted two of the masterminds and several dozen accomplices for the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre in which a local ruling family murdered 58 people, including 32 media workers covering a political campaign. However, nearly 80 suspects remain at large, with little prospect of them being apprehended..

Death Penalty The Philippine government began in 2020 to seriously consider legislation to reinstate the death penalty. Reinstating the death penalty would violate the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which the Philippines ratified in 2007. Covid-19 At time of writing, the Philippines had one of the highest recorded numbers of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia, with 400,000 cases as of mid-November. The Duterte administration’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been led by former military officers, using police supported by the military, which has resulted in serious human rights abuses..

In October, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution that called for the Philippines to “ensure accountability for human rights violations and abuses, and in this regard to conduct independent, full, and transparent investigations and to prosecute all those who have perpetrated serious crimes, including violations and abuses of human rights .” Human Rights Watch and dozens of other domestic and international groups view the request, as well as the government’s compromised committee to review the deaths in the “drug war,” as an attempt to evade UN scrutiny..

In September, the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted to adopt a resolution denouncing the “rapidly deteriorating human rights situation” in the Philippines and called on the Philippines to abide by its human rights commitment under the European Union’s General Systems of Preference Plus program that allows the country to export 6,200 products to EU states without tariff. The International Criminal Court (ICC) continued its preliminary examination into alleged crimes against humanity related to the “drug war” killings..

In September, members of the US Congress introduced the Philippine Human Rights Act, which seeks to suspend US defense and security assistance to the Philippines for human rights abuses until the government undertakes significant reform. In order to lift the suspension, the US secretary of state would have to certify that the government had adequately investigated and successfully prosecuted members of the military and police forces who violated human rights; withdrawn the military from domestic policing activity; and established effective protection of trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, and government critics..

Presented by: ANGELO JORYN M. SUMAYLO Grade 11 HUMSS-E INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY.