THE
PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
by
Antonio C. Antonio
September
18, 2014
The
Philippines is one of the world’s biologically rich countries but has the most
threatened ecosystems. In the past
decades, anthropogenic (meaning: man-made) causes has rendered (a) our forest
cover to shrink to under 10%, (b) our waterways polluted from industrial and
household waste, (c) our air polluted with the use of fuel inefficient second
hand mobile public transport system, (d) our upland soil degraded due to unsustainable
mining practices, (e) our agricultural areas lost to unrestricted urban and
industrial expansion, (f) our marine ecosystems destroyed by destructive
fishing practices and over fishing, and (g) our food security threatened by
uncontrolled population growth.
There
are also natural causes that threaten Philippine ecosystems and landscape, such
as: (a) Frequent flooding; (b) Increasingly stronger typhoons; (c) Volcanic
eruptions; (d) Earthquakes, (e) Strom surges, etc. There are those who would argue that floods,
storm surges and typhoons can also be attributed as man-made causes…
considering they are primarily caused by climate change and global warming
which is largely attributed to anthropogenic activities. While natural causes are hard to predict and are
here to stay, anthropogenic causes of environmental problems could be
controlled and minimized. Please click on
this link: http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/04/causes-of-deforestation.html.
Environmental
problems in the Philippines really entail a broad scope of issues and
concerns. Let me enumerate ten of the
more significant causes:
1. Environment
Unfriendly Public Policies – Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and Executive Order
No. 79 are just two examples of laws that proved to be unfriendly to the
environment. These laws triggered the
unrestricted extraction of mineral resources and encouraged deforestation. Please click on this link: http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/search?q=Conflicting+public+policies
2. Unrestricted
Land Conversion – Year after year, land areas dedicated to agricultural
production are being converted to accommodate industrial complexes and
residential areas. The steady increase
in our population makes this a necessity.
However, this also puts unnecessary stress on our forest areas which
will have to make way for land conversions for agricultural purposes. Please click on this link: http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/06/land-use-conversion.html.
3. Uncontrolled
Utilization of Natural Resources (both terrestrial and marine) – Law enforcement
is one of misgivings of government although there are sufficient laws,
sometimes even contradictory, to prevent the over-utilization and
over-exploitation of natural resources.
Please click on these links: http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/04/causes-of-deforestation.html and http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/07/asean-forest-cover.html.
4. Lack of
Political Will – The fact that the Philippines hold elections every three years
has done little to improve the economic condition of the masses. Political expediency takes precedence over
socio-economic development strategies.
What is easy, popular and would guarantee votes in the next election are
the order of the day. Politics has grown
to be the most lucrative business in the country.
5. Apathy
and Lack of Concern for Environmental Issues from Ordinary Citizens – Poor as
we are, Filipinos are more concerned about putting food on the table than
environmental matters. Given a choice
between caring for the environment and exploiting it, many citizens are more
likely to opt for natural resources exploitation if it meant livelihood and/or
the survival for their families.
6. Uncontrolled
Population Growth – As of July 27, 2014, Philippine population hit the 100
millionth mark. That’s a lot of mouths
to feed. Equally important is the fact
that resources are finite and exhaustible.
Please click on this link: http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/search?q=100+million+filipinos
7. Food
Security – Unrestricted land use conversion plus uncontrolled utilization of
natural resources could only result to food security. As of now, the Philippines is already a net
importer of consumer goods. We are
considered a rice producing country but we are the biggest importer of rice at
present. Please click on this link: http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/05/climatechange-and-food-security.html.
8. Peace
and Order – The communist insurgency, which is very active in the uplands,
makes meaningful environmental plans and programs very hard to accomplish. It also drives away pro-environment
investments.
9. Graft
and Corruption in Government – Public lands are owned by the State but
government do not give much priority to environment-related programs. Therefore, there should be PPP or
public-private partnership is the logical option. However, graft and corrupt practices in
government has become a big turn-off to private sector investors. This is aside from low returns of investments
for environment-related projects. Please
click on this link: http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/05/trivia-on-environmental-management.html.
10. The
Inequitable Distribution of Opportunities for Wealth and Quality Life from
Natural Resources – This is a socio-political problem that the present
socio-political structure that the rich and political elite will not want to
change for their own economic advantages.
Their economic power keeps them on top of the socio-political structure. The sectoral representation which the 1987 Philippine
Constitution [Article VI, Section 5(2)] aimed to encourage has likewise been
invaded by traditional politicians and political families.
I am
putting this information on the table for everyone to appreciate and realize
our dire situation… and, perhaps, poke everyone’s side to do something about
the Philippine environmental problems.
Just my
little thoughts…
(Please
visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders and Landscape Ecology UPOU on
Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)
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