The Philippine Environmental Problems

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…

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