Lanao School of Science and Technology, Inc.

Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte

1st Semester

Module
On
Environmental Science

Department of Science in Computer

Science

Compiled By:

Lizel G. Valiente
 Module 1

Lesson 1

Understanding Environment
What is Environment?
Environment means the surrounding external conditions influencing development
or growth of people, animal or plants; living or working conditions etc. This involves
the living objects in general and man in particular and the physical attributes or the
sum total of condition such as land, water, and air that support and affect the life in
the biosphere.

What is understanding environment?

Environment can be defined as the circumstances or conditions that surround an
organism or group of organisms. Alternatively, it can be defined as the combination
of social or cultural conditions that affect the individual and the community. Since
humans inhabit the natural world along with technological, social and cultural world,
together, these constitute important parts of our environment.

The environment is anything around us. It includes energy from the sun and all
the living things and the non-living things with which we interact. Despite
humankind’s many scientific and technological advances, our lives depend on
sunlight and the earth for clean air and water, food, shelter, energy, fertile soil, a
livable climate, and other components of planet’s life-support system.

Environmental Systems
The environment consists of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and
the biosphere.

The atmosphere implies the protective blanket of gases surrounding the earth. It
sustains life on earth and saves it from the hostile environment of outer space due to
the sun’s electromagnetic radiation. The atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and
oxygen besides, argon, carbon dioxide, and trace gases.

The hydrosphere comprises all types of water resources such as oceans, seas,
lakes, rivers, streams, reservoir, polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water.

The lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. It consists of minerals
occurring in the earth’s crusts and the soil e.g. minerals, organic matter, air and
water. Finally,

The biosphere indicates the realm of living organisms and their interactions with
environment. This is where life is found and thrives.

 But it can be roughly divided into two types such as (a) Micro environment
and (b) Macro environment..
What is Micro environment?
Micro environment is defined as the nearby environment,
under which the firm operates. This is because the functioning of the micro
environment has a direct and immediate bearing on the company.

Elements of Micro
Competitors, Organization itself, Suppliers, Market,
Intermediaries and Customers ( COSMIC).
..

1. Competitors are no pure monopolies in the world. Every organization, whether big

or small, has competition and competitor’s competition and competitors.
2. Organization itself refers to any system, body or group of people working together
to achieve common goals and objectives of the business.
3. Suppliers provide the firm with the materials and factors of production they need to run
the business. The relation between the company and the suppliers is a power equation.
Both depend on each other for their survival.
4. Market the group of consumers or organizations that is interested in the product.
5. Intermediaries independent firms which assist in the flow of goods and services from
producers to end-users; they include agents, wholesalers and retailers; marketing
services agencies; physical distribution companies; and financial institutions. 
6. Customers main purpose for the existence of most organizations is to satisfy the needs
and wants of the customers. The enterprise aims to please the customer and earn a profit
in return.

What is Macro environment?

Macro environment refers to the general environment, that can affect the
working of all business enterprises. .
Elements of Marco
. Political, Economic, Socio-cultural, Technological, Legal and
Environmental. (PESTLI)

1. Political environment of a country will mainly depend on the political beliefs and
ideologies of the party in power at the state and central levels. The combination of three
branches of the government – legislature, executive and the judiciary.
Legislature the law-making body.
Executive the law-enforcing body.
Judiciary t he law-interpreting body.
2. Economic a business depends on the economy for all its inputs and factors
of production.

3. Socio-Cultural Environment the social values and culture of an environment play a

huge role in the functioning of the company.

4. Technological Environment used by the firm becomes obsolete due to such

developments, and then it can also be a threat to the firm.

5. Legal environment refers to the rules, laws, regulations, and judgments etc. that affect
the functioning of a business.

Elements of the Environment

Environment is constituted by the interacting systems of physical, biological and
cultural elements inter-related in various ways, individually as well as collectively.
Physical elements are landforms, water bodies, climate soils, rocks and minerals.
They determine the variable character of the human habitat, its opportunities as well
as limitations.

Biological elements such as plants, animals, microorganisms and men constitute

the biosphere.

Cultural elements such as economic, social and political elements are essentially
man-made features, which make cultural milieu.

Lesson 2 :
Environmental Science
What is environmental science?

Awareness in the field of environmental sciences is becoming a global talk. People

worldwide are realizing its importance as they are able to smell a polluted tomorrow.
Careful handling of today’s’ environment would only serve as a legacy for tomorrows’
generation. Hence, we need to be judicious in exploiting our resources optimally. To
ensure a sustainable development we need to know something about how our
environment works. Environment can be defined as the set of conditions that
surround an organism or the complex of socio cultural condition that affect an
individual. Environmental Science is the systematic, scientific study of the
environment in combination with living organisms.

Environmental science is a study of connections in the natural environment. It is an

inter-disciplinary study of how earth works and has survived and thrived, how
humans interact with the environment, and how humans can live more sustainably.
Environmental science is concerned with changes wrought by human activities, and
their immediate and long-term implications for the welfare of living organisms,
including humans. Environmental science acquires political overtones and leads to
controversy. If it suggests that a particular activity is harmful, then modification of
that activity may require national legislation or an international treaty and, almost
certainly, there will be an economic price that not everyone will have to pay or pay
equally. We may all be environmental winners in the long term, but in the short term
there will be financial losers and, not surprisingly, they will complain.

Environmental science exists most obviously as a body of knowledge in its own

right when a team of specialists assembles to address a particular issue. The
comprehensive study of an important estuary, for example, involves mapping the
solid geology of the underlying rock, identifying the overlying sediment, measuring
the flow and movement of water and the sediment it carries, tracing coastal currents
and tidal flows, analyzing the chemical composition of the water and monitoring
changes in its distribution and temperature at different times and in different parts of
the estuary, sampling and recording the species living in and adjacent to the estuary
and measuring their productivity.

The science of environment studies is a multi-disciplinary science because it

comprises various branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life
science, agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering etc. It is the science of
physical phenomena in the environment. It studies of the sources, reactions,
transport, effect and fate of physical a biological species in the air, water and soil and
the effect of from human activity upon these.

Issues in the Environment

The following are some of the pressing issues concerning the environment today.
They are issues that have local, national, and international importance.

Rapid population growth. Human populations have grown at an alarming rates in

this century, from 2.5 billion in 1950 to 7.8 billion as of March 2020. Unless birth
rates are balanced with the death rates, it may reach 10-11 billion by 2050 and 14
billion by 2100. Most of the growth is in developing countries where resources and
services are already strained by present populations. A population of over thousands
of millions is growing at 2.11 per cent every year. Over 17 million people are added
each year. It puts considerable pressure on its natural resources and reduces the
gains of development. Hence, the greatest challenge is to limit the population
growth. Although population control does automatically lead to development, yet the
development leads to a decrease in population growth rates.

Poverty. The poverty and environmental degradation have a connection between

them. The vast majority of people are directly dependent on the natural resources
basic needs such as food, fuel shelter and fodder. Many people are still below the
poverty line. Environment degradation has adversely affected the poor who depend
upon the resources of their immediate surroundings. Thus, the challenge of poverty
and the challenge environment degradation are two facets of the same challenge.
The population growth is essentially a function of poverty.

Food shortage and famines. These are too familiar in many places and may
increase in frequency and severity if population growth, soil erosion, and nutrient
depletion continue at the same rate in the future as they had in the past. Food
security often is linked to poverty, democracy, and equitable distribution than it does
with the amount of food available.

Agricultural Growth. People must be acquainted with the methods to sustain and
increase agricultural growth without damaging the environment. High yielding
varieties have caused soil salinity and damage to physical structure of soil.
Unfortunately, mono-cropping type of farming has posed serious damage to the
environment by converting forests into huge plantations, polluting the water bodies
surrounding them, and loss of biodiversity. Some agricultural practices such as the
use of toxic and hazardous chemicals in for fertilization and pest and weed control
create impacts on the quality of air and water.

Need to Ground water. It is essential of rationalizing the use of groundwater.

Factors like community wastes, industrial effluents and chemical fertilizers and
pesticides have polluted our surface water and affected quality of the groundwater. It
is essential to restore the water quality of our rivers and other water bodies as lakes
is an important challenge. It so finding our suitable strategies for consecration of
water, provision of safe drinking water and keeping water bodies clean which are
difficult challenges is essential.

Degradation of Land. Worldwide record of degradation of the condition of land has

been noted due to excessive and conventional farming, mining and quarrying,
pollution, infrastructure development, urban sprawl, and many others. Land
degradation affects people and ecosystems throughout the planet and is both
affected by climate change and contributes to it.

Reduction of Genetic Diversity. Proper measures to conserve genetic diversity

need to be taken. At present most wild genetic stocks have been disappearing from
nature. Wilding including the Asiatic Lion are facing problem of loss of genetic
diversity. The protected areas network like sanctuaries, national parks, biosphere
reserves are isolating populations. So, they are decreasing changes of one group
breeding with another. Remedial steps are to be taken to check decreasing genetic
diversity.

Consequences of Urbanization. Nearly 27 per cent Indians live in urban areas.

Urbanization and industrialization has given birth to a great number of environmental
problem that need urgent attention. Over 30 percent of urban Indians live in slums.
Out of India’s 3,245 towns and cities, only 21 have partial or full sewerage and
treatment facilities. Hence, coping with rapid urbanization is a major challenge.

Water shortage. Water deficits and contamination of existing water supplies are
threatening the environment in the future for agricultural production as well as
domestic and industrial uses. Many countries already have serious water shortages
and more than one billion people lack access to clean water and proper sanitation.
This may lead to violent conflicts over control of natural resources. Majority of our
industrial plants are using outdated and population technologies and makeshift
facilities devoid of any provision of treating their wastes. A great number of cities and
industrial areas that have been identified as the worst in terms of air and water
pollution. Acts are enforced in the country, but their implement is not so easy. The
reason is their implementation needs great resources, technical expertise, political
and social will. Again the people are to be made aware of these rules. Their support
is indispensable to implement these rules.

Depletion of non-renewable fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are rapidly depleting due to
their overutilization by the growing population along with growth in industrialization all
over the world. Their use is leading to air pollution and damage to the environment.
Cleaner renewable energy resources like solar, wind, thermal, and biomass together
with Learning Activity: Due on August 14, 2020 conservation may replace
environmentally destructive energy sources if appropriate technologies are applied.

Deforestation and threat to biodiversity. Deforestation of tropical forests, coral

reefs, wetlands and other biologically rich landscapes is causing an alarming loss of
species and a reduction of biological variety and abundance that could severely limit
our future options. Many rare and endangered species are threatened directly or
indirectly by human activities like agriculture, building of dams, factories, highways,
mining operations and many others.
Improper disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. Mountains of solid and
hazardous wastes are becoming an overwhelming problem throughout the world. We
produce millions of tons of these hazardous materials annually and much of it is
disposed of in dangerous and irresponsible ways.

References:
Allaby, M. (2000). Basics of environmental science. Routledge. New York, NY.
Gadi, R., Rattan, S., and Mohapatra, S. (2016). Textbook of environmental
studies. S.K. Kataria & Sons. New Delhi, India.

Boston, MA.
Olsson, L . and Barbosa, H. (2019). Chapter 4: Land Degrdation. IPCC SRCCL.
https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2019/08/2e.-Chapter-4_FINAL.pdf
Singh, Y.K (2006). Environmental science. New Age International, Limited
Publishers. New Delhi, India.
Environmental Science

Name:

Activity:
Look around you.
1. What issues in the environment can you find? Enumerate them.
2. Who are responsible for these environmental issues you see?
3. How do you think these issues should be addressed?
 Module 2
Lesson 1:

The State of Environment

What is the state of environment?
The term State of the Environment normally relates to an analysis of trends in
the environment of a particular place. This analysis can encompass aspects
such as water quality, air quality, land use, ecosystem health and function,
along with social and cultural matters.

1. Water quality testing is an important part of environmental monitoring. ...

Physical properties of water quality include temperature and turbidity. Chemical
characteristics involve parameters such as pH and dissolved oxygen. Biological
indicators of water quality include algae and phytoplankton.

2. Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car
emissions, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be
suspended as particles. Ozone, a gas, is a major part of air pollution in cities. When
ozone forms air pollution, it's also called smog. Some air pollutants are poisonous.

3. Land use involves the management and modification of natural environment

or wilderness into built environment such as settlements and semi-natural
habitats such as arable fields, pastures, and managed woods.

4. Ecosystem health the state or condition of an ecosystem in which its dynamic

attributes are expressed within the normal ranges of activity relative to its ecological
state of development”.

5. Function are defined as the possible uses of our non-human made physical

surroundings, on which humanity is dependent, whether they be producing,
consuming, breathing or recreating.

6. Factors in the social environment that are important to health include those

related to safety, violence, and social disorder in general, and more specific
factors related to the type, quality, and stability of social connections, including
social participation, social cohesion, social capital, and the collective .

7. Cultural matters always shape the development of the individuals in that

society and also influences the personality traits of people in that community as well
as their ideologies.
Lesson 2

Natural Resources in the Philippines

What is a natural resource?
Natural resources are materials or substances such as minerals, forests,
water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain .
Natural resources are materials from the Earth that are used to support life and
meet people's needs. 

The natural resources in the Philippines are: copper, timber, nickel, petroleum, silver, gold,
cobalt, and salt.

1. Copper (Cu), chemical element, a reddish, extremely ductile metal of Group 11 (Ib) of the
periodic table that is an unusually good conductor of electricity and heat. Copper is found in the
free metallic state in nature.

2. Lumber, also known as timber, is wood that has been processed into beams and
planks, a stage in the process of wood production. Lumber is mainly used for
structural purposes but has many other uses as well. Lumber may be supplied either
rough-sawn, or surfaced on one or more of its faces. 

3. Nickel is a chemical element with the symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a
silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition
metals and is hard and ductile.

4. Petrolium  liquid mixture of hydrocarbons that is present in certain rock strata and
can be extracted and refined to produce fuels including gasoline, kerosene, and
diesel oil; oil.
5. Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft,
white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal
conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal.

6. Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and atomic number 79, making it
one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. In a pure form, it is a
bright, slightly reddish yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically,
gold is a transition metal and a group 11 element .

7. Cobalt is a chemical element with the symbol Co and atomic number 27. Like
nickel, cobalt is found in the Earth's crust only in a chemically combined form, save
for small deposits found in alloys of natural meteoric iron. The free element,
produced by reductive smelting, is a hard, lustrous, silver-gray.

8. Salt s a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride, a chemical

compound belonging to the larger class of salts; salt in the form of a natural
crystalline mineral is known as rock salt or halite. Salt is present in vast quantities in
seawater.
What is the state of the Philippine environment, and what are the links between
environment and development in the Philippine setting?

In the report of Cox head and Jayasuriya (2002), the environment can only be discussed
meaningfully in terms of its component parts. As identified in official Philippine documents, these
include natural resource stocks such as forests, minerals, water, biodiversity, and soils, as well as air
and water quality in specific locations and at specific times. Since these categories are sometimes
difficult to identify separately, it is convenient to group them as a set of ecosystems—forest and
uplands, lowland agriculture, urban-industrial, coastal/marine, and freshwater.

Conversely, the Philippine environment and natural resource sector is generally classified as
comprising five major interlinked, and sometimes overlapping, ecosystems. These are the forest and
uplands ecosystem, the agricultural/cropland ecosystem, the freshwater ecosystem, the coastal and
marine ecosystem and the urban ecosystem. All these are being altered by either natural or man-
made forces. The Philippines is home to 5% of the world’s flora species, 6% of its birds, and 4% of its
mammals while 67% of the species in the major groups of animals and plants are not found
anywhere else in the world. The country’s coral reefs are second only to Australia’s Great Barrier
Reef in terms of the diversity of coral and fish species, and it has the second highest number of sea
grass species in the world. However, each of these ecosystems faces significant, often severe,
problems of environmental degradation, both from the depletion of resource stocks and from the
production of polluting emissions.

Forests and Uplands

The forest and upland ecosystem covers around 45% of total land area, and its resources
directly support about 30% of the population, including some of the poorest in the country. It is
experiencing severe pressure of a variety of kinds, the most prominent of which is rapid
deforestation. Deforestation reduces biodiversity through its destructive impact on plant and animal
habitats, alters the hydrological properties of soils, and adversely affects watershed functions.
Further, a large proportion of the uplands have steep slopes which, once cleared of their permanent
cover, are prone to severe land degradation, particularly soil erosion, unless adequate conservation
measures are implemented.

Estimates of actual forested area and rates of deforestation vary, reflecting different definitions
as well as severe data deficiencies, but there is general agreement that continuing rapid tree cutting
has greatly shrunk the area of forested land in recent decades. According to a study, between 1900
and 1950, national forest cover fell from around 70% of total land to 50%, and by the end of the
1980s had fallen further to less than 25%. With deforestation proceeding at an average annual rate
of 2.9% even according to Philippine government sources, by the late 1990s forest cover was less
than 19%.
 The two main causes of deforestation are land clearance for agriculture and commercial
exploitation of forests for logs, lumber, fuel (including charcoal), and pulp-wood. The relative
importance of these two activities is a matter of dispute, but commercial logging, both legal and
illegal, appears to bear primary responsibility for the depletion of old-growth dipterocarp forests
containing valuable timber, with conversion to agricultural uses accounting for much of the
deforestation of degraded, secondary or residual forest lands

Deforestation and the associated conversion of upland land to agriculture degrade the
hydrological functions of watersheds. Annual fluctuations in stream flow are exaggerated in
watersheds where water retention capacity has been lost along with forest cover and biomass,
making such systems more prone to the effects of drought and flash flooding. Deforestation and the
conversion of land to agriculture exacerbate soil erosion. Shifting cultivation (kaingin) systems
traditionally practiced by indigenous upland communities were environmentally sustainable in the
past, but increased population pressure in uplands has reduced fallow periods, and the more
intensive farming practices of new immigrants to uplands are more land degrading.

Agriculture and Croplands

Agriculture remains the single largest sector and employer in the Philippine economy. Well over
half the population depends either directly or indirectly on income generated through agricultural
production. Although investments in irrigation and episodes of technical progress have increased the
productivity of some land and the yields of some crops, Philippine agriculture has experienced
relatively low overall rates of productivity growth. Cereal and root crop yields and rates of fertilizer
use are among the lowest in tropical Asia.

Whereas expansion of agricultural land area was almost certainly an appropriate strategy in earlier
decades when land was abundant, in the final quarter of the twentieth century the conversion of
forests and upper watershed areas to agriculture became a significant source of environmental
problems. Recent evidence on long-term trends in the productivity of low-lands is equally disturbing.
Staple grains, mainly rice and corn, account for most agricultural land use in developing countries.
Intensive monoculture of any of these crops is known to be associated with a long-term decline in
land productivity, a phenomenon sometimes disguised in recent years by technological progress.
Moreover, the productivity of lowland cropland is directly dependent on the quality of irrigation
services. Deforestation and the degradation of watersheds and hydrological systems have clearly
diminished the quality of irrigation services in many parts of the country.

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

The Philippines has 7,107 islands and a total coastline of 17,460 kilometers; its marine territorial
waters cover nearly 2 million square kilometers of oceanic waters and 266,000 square kilometers of
coastal waters. The coastal and marine ecosystems are clearly major components of the country’s
environmental resources, performing critical ecological functions and providing important resources
such as mangroves, coral reefs, and sea grass beds that nurture a rich variety of fish and other
aquatic life, while also providing facilities for recreation and tourism like in Siargao Island. These
environmental resources are unique in many ways and, being major repositories of biodiversity,
have international significance in terms of their importance in the global ecology. As with the
Philippines’ other environmental resources, these too have been significantly degraded. With more
than half of the population residing in coastal areas, and most of the big cities located near the
coast, these areas are subject to most of the environmental pressures emanating from population
growth and the full range of human activities.
The most tangible and direct economic impact of environmental degradation of marine ecosystems
is reflected in the depletion of fish stocks due primarily to over-fishing, often using destructive
methods such as bottom trawling, explosives, and harmful chemicals, the destruction of mangrove
areas and corals, and the pollution of coastal waterways. But fish production levels have been
maintained and even increased through greater fishing effort, further diminishing fish reproductive
capacity. Mangrove swamps play a key role in the coastal ecosystems, forming the foundation of the
coastal fisheries food chain and the breeding ground and nursery for many varieties of fish and
crustaceans. They also provide timber, charcoal, and other types of wood for coastal households.

Urban Systems

Rapid population growth and urbanization have contributed to urban population growth rates far
in excess of the national average, and higher than in most major Asian economies, in recent decades.
Industrial growth has also been highly concentrated in and around urban areas. Urban pollution thus
consists both of industrial effluents (emissions into air and water, as well as solid waste) and post-
consumer effluents (vehicle emissions, sewage, and solid waste). As a consequence, air and water
pollution problems are most Torrentira, Moises Jr. C. Course Module GE Elective: Environmental
Science 15 | page acute in urban regions and especially in Metro Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro,
Davao which has the largest concentration of population and industry.

Freshwater Systems

The freshwater ecosystem, comprising 384 major river systems and 54 lakes and covering an area
of about 569,600 hectares, faces severe problems through pollution and watershed degradation.
Many of the major rivers and lakes, particularly those passing through or close to urban centers, are
heavily polluted. The main river systems in Metro Manila are biologically dead (particularly the Pasig
River), and siltation and chemical residues are a serious problem for major lakes, including Laguna
Lake, Lake Danao, Lake Lanao, and Lake Leonard.

Urban water pollution is caused primarily by the inappropriate disposal of household

waste. Much is also contributed by industrial enterprises, the majority of which do not comply with
existing water pollution standards. As mentioned earlier, inadequate sewage and other failings of
waste disposal systems lead to much illegal dumping; a considerable proportion of daily household
waste ends up in waterways. Elsewhere, with few river or lake system management systems in place
and little effective control over effluent discharges or runoff, agricultural chemical residues and, in
some locations, effluents from mining operations also contribute to the build-up of pollution.

Costs of Environmental Degradation

The foregoing review, though brief and necessarily somewhat cursory, vividly illustrates
the scope and severity of the challenges that human interventions now pose to the integrity
of Philippine ecosystems. The postwar growth of the population and economy has been
associated with decades of damage, both transitory and permanent, to these ecosystems
and their component parts. In many cases the losses can-not easily be aggregated or even
calculated, let alone valued. Nonetheless it is undeniable that environmental degradation
has imposed costs on the Philippine economy, and it is conceivable that these have been
quite large in relation to total income.
Reference:
Coxhead, I. & Jayasuriya, S. (2003). Development strategy, poverty and deforestation in the
Philippines. Staff Paper Series—Agricultural and Applied Economics. Staff Paper No. 456

Environmental Science

Name:

Learning Activity:
Guide Questions
1. What are some of the causes of degradation of natural resources?
2. What do you think would be the effect of degradation of natural
resources to the economy?
3. How should we address this problem?
 Module 3
Lesson 1:
Protected Areas in the Philippines
INTRODUCTION

The Philippines has always been considered as one of the major biodiversity
hotspots in the world. For while it boasts of one of the highest levels of diversity and
endemicity of life forms and some of the most unique habitats in the world, it is also
home to some of the planet’s critically endangered species of wildlife, such as the
Philippine eagle, one of the most magnificent raptors in the world and our country’s
symbol of biodiversity conservation (Senga, R. 2001). These forests, however, face
serious threats from social and economic development (Aguda, R.B., 2002). In the
last several decades, our forests have been in steady decline. From the original
forest cover of 27 million hectares, only 7.2 million hectares remain (Manila Times,
2016). Due to this, although the country has many endemic species, some of these
life forms are critically endangered such as the infamous Philippine eagle, Philippine
crocodile, etc. (Owlcation, 2018).

To conserve the environment and protect the country’s biodiversity, efforts were
made to ratify the constitution and to formulate new laws to prevent environmental
degradation (Viña et al., 2010). In 1987, the Philippine Strategy for Sustainable
Development was drafted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) with the aim of achieving sustainable development. To attain this goal, the
integrated protected areas system was formulated (Philippine Government, 1989).
This advocacy received funding from different international organizations and later
on, a bill regarding protected areas was presented to the Congress in 1991. In 1992,
this bill was signed into law by President Aquino as the NIPAS Act. Primarily, the act
aims to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual
existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of a
comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification of
national park as provided for in the Constitution.

What is national integrated areas system?

This refers to the classification and administration of all designated protected areas to
maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic
diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural
conditions to the greatest extent possible. Protected areas are categorized into strict nature
reserve, natural park, natural monument, wildlife sanctuary, protected landscapes and
seascapes, resource reserve, natural biotic areas, and other categories established by law,
conventions or international agreements which the Philippine Government is signatory.
Buffer zones are defined as outside the boundaries of and immediately adjacent to designated
protected areas. These areas, managed by Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB),
serve as a social fence and source of income for local communities near the protected
areas (PA) in order to minimize or prevent harm to the PAs.
 Strict nature reserve is an area possessing some outstanding ecosystem, features
and/or species of flora and fauna of national scientific importance maintained to
protect nature and maintain processes in an undisturbed state in order to have
ecologically representative examples of the natural environment available for
scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of
genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state.

National park refers to a forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness

character which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of
exploitation except in conformity with approved management plan and set aside as
such exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and
historic objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these
features in such areas;

Natural monument is a relatively small area focused on protection of small features

to protect or preserve nationally significant natural features on account of their
special interest or unique characteristics;

Wildlife sanctuary comprises an area which assures the natural conditions

necessary to protect nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic
communities or physical features of the environment where these may require
specific human manipulations for their perpetuation.

Protected landscapes/seascapes are areas of national significance which are

characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing
opportunities for public enjoyment through the recreation and tourism within the
normal lifestyle and economic activity of these areas;

Resource reserve is an extensive and relatively isolated and uninhabited area

normally with difficult access designated as such to protect natural resources of the
area for future use and prevent or contain development activities that could affect the
resource pending the establishment of objectives which are based upon appropriate
knowledge and planning.

Natural biotic area is an area set aside to allow the way of life of societies living in
harmony with the environment to adapt to modern technology at their pace.

Other categories established by law, conventions or international agreements which

the Philippine Government is a signatory.

Prohibited Acts within Protected Areas

Except as may be allowed by the nature of their categories and pursuant to

rules and regulations governing the same, the following acts are prohibited within
protected areas:

a. Hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere possession of any plants or

animals or products derived there from without a permit from the Management
Board;
 b. Dumping of any waste products detrimental to the protected area, or to the
plants and animals or inhabitants therein;

c. Use of any motorized equipment without a permit from the Management

Board;

d. Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty, or objects of

interest to cultural communities (of scenic value);

e. Damaging and leaving roads and trails in a damaged condition;

f. Squatting, mineral locating, or otherwise occupying any land;

g. Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosures,

conducting any business enterprise without a permit;

h. Leaving in exposed or unsanitary conditions refuse or debris, or depositing

in ground or in bodies of water; and

i. Altering, removing destroying or defacing boundary marks or signs.

Penalties

Whoever violates this Act or any rules and regulations issued by the
Department pursuant to this Act or whoever is found guilty by a competent court of
justice of any of the offenses in the preceding section shall be fined in the amount of
not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Five hundred thousand
pesos (P500,000), exclusive of the value of the thing damaged or imprisonment for
not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, or both, as determined by
the court: Provided, that, if the area requires rehabilitation or restoration as
determined by the court, the offender shall be required to restore or compensate for
the restoration to the damages: Provided, further, that court shall order the eviction
of the offender from the land and the forfeiture in favor of the Government of all
minerals, timber or any species collected or removed including all equipment,
devices and firearms used in connection therewith, and any construction or
improvement made thereon by the offender. If the offender is an association or
corporation, the president or manager shall be directly responsible for the act of his
employees and laborers: Provided, finally, that the DENR may impose administrative
fines and penalties consistent with this Act.

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Based on DENR report, as of January 31, 2012, there are two hundred forty (240)
protected areas in the Philippines including the initial components of NIPAS. Of the 240, one
hundred thirteen 113 protected areas formally proclaimed by the President under the
System covering 3.57 million hectares. Seventy (71) out of the 113 are initial components
with an area of 2.00 million hectares and forty-two (42) additional areas with an area of 1.57
million hectares. Of the 113 proclaimed protected areas, 29 are marine protected areas with
a total area of 1.37 million hectares while 84 are terrestrial protected areas covering an area
of 2.20 million hectares.

Recently President Rodrigo Duterte signed a Republic Act 11038, The E-NIPAS Act of
2018, into law, which adopts strong amendatory measure to NIPAS Act to strengthens
protection and adds more 100 legislated protected areas in the Philippine, including the
Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve.

CONCLUSION

The NIPAS Act serves as a legal basis to conserve biodiversity in the country in
pursuit of sustainable development through managing selected protected areas (Aquino, A.
2014) and with the advent of ENIPAS may it enhance the conservation efforts undertaken of
our unique but vastly threatened biodiversity and ecosystems including marine habitats. As
the ‘center of the center’ of marine biodiversity in the world, it’s high time that our
biologically significant protected areas be given the highest priority and protection they
deserved, to ensure our national treasures continue to sustain the current and future
generations of Filipinos (Oceana, 2018).

References:

Aguda, R.B. (2002). Conservation, utilization and management of forest genetic resources in the
Philippines. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/ac648e09.htm#bm9

Aquino, A. (2014). RA 7586: Protected Areas System in the Philippines. Retrieved from
http://ap.fftc.agnet.org/ap_db.php?id=285&print=1#_ftn2

DENR (2012). Establishment and management of National Integrated Protected Areas System
(NIPAS).Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120417205824/ http://www.pawb.gov.ph/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=120%3 Aestablishing-and-managing-protected-
areas&catid=58%3Aprotected-areamanagement

DENR (2015). Guidebook to Protected Areas of the Philippines. Retrieved from

http://host.javanielsen.dk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/PA-Guidebook-Final.pdf

Owlcation (2018). Top critically endangered Animals in the Philippines. Retrieved from
https://owlcation.com/stem/The-Top-Ten-Critically-Endangered-Animals-in-thePhilippines

Republic Act No. 11038 (2018). An act declaring protected areas and providing for their management,
amending for this purpose Republic Act No. 7586, Otherwise known as the “National Integrated Protected
Areas System (NIPAS) of 1992’’ and for other purposes. Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2018/06jun/20180622-RA-11038- RRD.pdf

Republic Act No.7586: An Act Providing for the establishment and management of National Integrated
Protected Areas System, Defining its scope and coverage, and for other purposes. Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1992/06/01/republic-actno-7586/

Senga, R. (2001). Establishing Protected Areas in the Philippines: emerging trends, challenges and
prospects. Protected Areas in East Asia. 18(2). Retrieved from http://www.georgewright.org/182senga.pdf
 Environmental Science

Name:
Learning Activity;
Instruction: Provide as many examples or names of protected areas that you know or you
have searched using the template below:

Protected Area Example

Strict nature reserve

National park

Natural monument

Wildlife sanctuary

Protected
landscapes/seascapes

Resource reserve

Natural biotic area

 Lesson 2

Forest Resources of the Philippines

Quick facts about the current state of Philippine Forests

As of December 2015, about one-fourth of the Philippines’ 30,000,000-hectare

territory is forested 7,014,154 hectares;

In December 1990, forest lands comprised about 15.9 Million hectares or 53% of
the total land area of the country. In a span of 25 years we wiped out our forest cover
by 56% or roughly 9 million hectares or 355,433.84 hectares per year);

Region 2 (Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino) has the largest
cover in the country covering 1, 050, 963 hectares while the smallest area is NCR
(Metro Manila) covering only 2, 106 hectares (Region 11 ranks 5th with 400,613
hectares following Region 8 (511,962);

The country has 147 Proclaimed Watershed Forest Reserve in 2018. Region 3
tops with 27 proclaimed protected area, Region 11 has 4 proclaimed Watershed
Forest Reserve (WFR) including Andap WFR of New Bataan, Bagangga WFR of
Bagangga Davao Oriental, Malagos WFR of Davao City and Mati Watershed WFR of
Mati Davao Oriental;

In 2015 the Food and Agriculture Organization ranked the Philippines as the 5th
worldwide in the greatest forest area regain from 2010 to 2015

Source: Philippine Forest Statistics, 2018

CLASSIFICATION AND SURVEYS

Classification. Section 13 of PD 705 states that the DENR Secretary shall

determine which of the unclassified lands of the public domain are needed for forest
purposes and declare them as permanent forest to form part of the forest reserves.
He shall declare those classified and determined not to be needed for forest
purposes as alienable and disposable lands, the administrative jurisdiction and
management of which shall be transferred to the Land Management Bureau.

It is also stated that mangrove and other swamps not needed for shore
protection and suitable for fishpond purposes shall be released to, and be placed
under the administrative jurisdiction and management of, the Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources. Those still to be classified under the Present system shall
continue to remain as part of the public forest.
 Section 14 of PD 705 likewise states that forest lands which are not reservations
and which are the subject of pasture leases shall be classified as grazing lands and
areas covered by pasture permits shall remain forest lands until otherwise classified
under the criteria, guidelines and methods of classification to be prescribed by the
DENR.

Concept of Forests and Forest Lands. Public forests or forests reserves are not
capable of private appropriation. A forested area classified as forest land of the
public domain does not lose such classification simply because loggers or settlers
may have stripped it of its forest cover. All lands that were not acquired from the
government, either by purchase or by grant, belong to the public domain. An
exception to the rule would be any land that should have been in the possession of
an occupant and of his predecessor’s in interests since time immemorial, for such
possession would justify the presumption that the land had never been part of the
public domain or that it had been a private property even before the Spanish
conquest.

Topography. Section 15 of PD 705 states that no land of the public domain 18% in
slope or over shall be classified as alienable and disposable nor any forest land 50%
in slope or over as grazing land. Lands 18% in slope or over which have already
been declared as alienable and disposable shall be reverted to the classification of
forest lands by the DENR Secretary, to form part of the forest reserves.

Exception - Unless they were already covered by existing titles or approved public
land applications, or actually openly, continuously, adversely and publicly for a
period of not less than 30 years as of the effectively of the Code, where the occupant
is qualified for a free patent under Public Land Act. Areas Needed for Forest
Purpose.

Areas Needed for Forest Purposes

The following lands, even if they are below eighteen per cent (18%) in slope, are
needed for forest purposes, and may not, therefore, be classified as alienable and
disposable land, to wit:

a) Areas less than 250 hectares which are far from, or are not contiguous with, any
certified alienable and disposable land,

b) Isolated patches of forest of at least five (5) hectares with rocky terrain, or which
protect a spring for communal use,

c) Areas which have already been reforested,

d) Areas within forest concessions which are timbered or have good residual
stocking to support an existing, or approved to be established, wood processing
plant,
 e) Ridge tops and plateaus regardless of size found within, or surrounded wholly or
partly by, forest lands where headwaters emanate,

f) Appropriately located road-rights-or-way,

g.) Twenty-meter strips of land along the edge of the normal high waterline of rivers
and streams with channels of at least five (5) meters wide,

h) Strips of mangrove or swamplands at least twenty (20) meters wide, along

shorelines facing oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water, and strips of land at least
twenty (20) meters wide facing lakes,

i) Areas needed for other purposes, such as national parks, national historical sites,
game refuges and wildlife sanctuaries, forest station sites, and others of public
interest, and

j) Areas previously proclaimed by the President as forest reserves, national parks,

game refuge, bird sanctuaries, national shrines, national historic sites:

In case an area falling under any of the foregoing categories shall have been tilted in
favor of any person, steps shall be taken, if public interest so requires, to have said
title cancelled or amended, or the titled area expropriated. Mangrove swamps or
Manglares are within the public forest lands of the Philippines and not subject to
private appropriation.

Reservations in Forest Lands and Off- Shore Areas

The DENR Secretary may reserve and establish any portion of the public forest
or forest reserve as site or experimental forest for use of the Forest Research
Institute. Offshore area needed for the preservation and protection of its educational,
scientific, historical, ecological and recreational values including the marine life found
therein, shall be established as Marine parks.

Multiple uses

Only the utilization, exploitation, occupation or possession of any forest lands

and grazing lands, which will produce the optimum benefits to the development and
progress of the country and the public welfare, without impairment or with the least
injury to its resources, shall be allowed. No person may utilize, exploit, occupy,
possess or conduct any activity within any forest and grazing land, or establish,
install, add and operate any wood or forest products processing plant, unless he had
been authorized to do under a license agreement, license, lease or permit.

A Timber License is an instrument by which the State regulates the utilization and
disposition of forest resources to the end that the public welfare is promoted. A
timber license is not a contract, within the purview of due process clause; it is only a
license or a privilege, which can be validly withdrawn whenever dictated by public
interest or welfare. The granting of license does not create irrevocable rights; neither
is it property or property rights.

Timber

The duration of the privilege to harvest timber in any particular forest land under
a license agreement or license shall be fixed and determined in accordance with the
allowable cut therein, the established cutting cycle thereof, the yield capacity of
harvestable timber, and the capacity of healthy residuals for a second growth. The
privilege shall automatically terminate, even before the expiration of the license
agreement of license, the moment the harvestable timber have been utilized without
leaving any logged- over area capable of commercial utilization.

The maximum period of any privilege to harvest timber is 25 years, renewable for
not exceeding 25 years, necessary to utilize all the remaining commercial quantity or
harvestable timber either from the unlogged or logged- over area. It shall be a
condition for the continued privilege to harvest timber under any license agreement
that the licensee shall reforest all the areas which shall be determined by the
Bureau.

Size of Forest Concessions

Forest lands shall not be held in perpetuity. The size of the forest lands which may
be the subject of timber utilization shall be limited to that which a person may
effectively utilize and develop for a period of 50 years.

Wood Processing / Log Production and Processing

Unless otherwise directed by the President, upon recommendation of the

Department Head, the entire production of logs by all timber licensees shall, begin
January 1, 1976 be processed locally. Total log export of timber licensees shall not
exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the total national allowable cut.

Reforestation: Industrial Tree Plantations, Tree Farms and Agro-forestry

Farms

A lease for a period of 25 years and renewable for another period not exceeding
25 years, for the establishment of an industrial tree plantation (100 hectares min.
area) or a tree farm (10 hectares min. area) may be granted by the DENR to any
qualified person qualified to develop and exploit natural resources, over timber or
forest lands of the public domain.

Section 36 of PD 705 enumerates the incentives granted to Industrial Tree

Planting and or tree farming. Including among others (paragraph l) importation ban of
wood, wood products or wood-derived products including pulp, paper and
paperboard if the same are available in required quantities and reasonable prices, as
may be certified by the DENR from artificial or man-made forests, or local processing
plants manufacturing the same.

Section 43 of PD 705: Swamplands and Mangrove Forests shall be maintained

and shall not be alienated. Therefore, it shall not be subject to clear- cutting
operation. Mangrove and other swamps released to the BFAR which are not utilized,
or which have been abandoned for 5 years from the date of such release, shall
revert to the category of forestland.

Authority of Forest Officers

When in the performance of their official duties, forest officers, or other

government officials or employees duly authorized by the Secretary or Director, shall
have free entry into areas covered by a license agreement, license, lease, or permit.

Mineral Reservations

Mineral reservations which are not the subject of mining operations or where
operations have been suspended for more than 5 years shall be placed under forest
management by the Bureau. Mineral reservations where mining operations have
been terminated due to exhaustion of its mineral shall revert to the category of forest
land, unless otherwise reserved for other purposes.

Special Uses

No forestland 50% in slope or over may be utilized for pasture purposes. The
Bureau shall, in the preparation of multiple- use management plans, identify and
provide for the protection of scenic areas in all forest lands which are potentially
valuable for recreation and tourism, and plan for the development and protection of
such areas to attract visitors thereto and meet increasing demands there for.

What is Timber?

While the law does not define “timber”, such word should be taken in its ordinary
meaning. In the absence of legislative intent to the contrary, words and phrases used
in a statute should be given their plain, ordinary and common usage meaning.
“Timber” in its common acceptation refers to “wood used for or suitable for building
or for carpentry or joinery”. (Sison, 2018)
 Forest products means timber, pulpwood, firewood, bark, tree top, resin, gum,
wood, oil, honey, beeswax, nipa, rattan, or other forest growth such as grass, shrub,
and flowering plant, the associated water, fish, game, scenic, historical, recreational
and geologic resources in forest lands.

Unlawful Occupation or Destruction of Forest Lands

For any person who enters, occupies, possesses, or makes kaingin for his own
private use or for others, any forest land without authority or in any manner destroys
such forest land or part thereof, or causes any damage to timber stand and other
products and forest growths found therein, the Court shall further order the eviction
of the offender from the land and the forfeiture of the government of all
improvements made and all vehicles, domestic animals and equipment of any kind
used in the commission of the offense.

In case the offender is a government official or employee, he shall, in addition to

the above penalties, be deemed automatically dismissed from office and
permanently disqualifies from holding any elective or appointive position.

Pasturing Livestock

Imprisonment, fine, and confiscation of livestock and all improvement in favor of

the government shall be imposed upon any person, without the authority under a
lease or permit, graze, or cause to graze livestock in forest lands, grazing lands, and
alienable and disposable lands which have not as yet been disposed under CA 141.
In case the offender is a corporation, partnership, or association, the officers and
directors thereof shall be liable.

Illegal Occupation of National Parks System and Recreation Areas and

Vandalism Therein

Any person, without permit, occupy for any length of time any portion of the
national park system or shall, in any manner, cut, destroy, damage, or remove timber
or any species of vegetation of forest cover and other natural resources found
therein, or shall mutilate, deface or destroy objects of natural beauty or of scenic
value within areas of national parks. [2] Any person who, without proper permit shall
hunt, capture, or kill any kind of bird, fish, or wild animal life within any area of
national park system.

Survey by Unauthorized Persons

Any person who shall, without permit to survey from Director, enter any forest
lands, whether covered by a license agreement, lease, license, or permit, or not, and
conduct or undertake a survey for whatever purpose.

References:

Caballero, Jeremiah N. PD 705 Revised Forestry Code extracted from

https://www.academia.edu/36616843/PD_705_REVISED_FORESTRY_CODE
Domingo, Sonny N. and Manejar, Arvie Joy A., Forest Protection in the Philippines, PIDS.
Discussion Paper Series No. 2018-53
Executive Order No. 277 July 25, 1987 https://www.lawphil.net/ executive/
execord/eo1987/eo_277_1987.html
Philippine Forest Statistics (2018) downloaded from https://forestry.denr.gov.ph/index. php/
statistics/philippines-forestry-statistics
Republic Act No. 7161 https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1991/ra_7161_1991.html
Sison, Jose C (23008) A Law a day (keeps trouble away), Timber!!
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2008/07/29/75828/timber
Environmental Science

Name:

Leaning Activity: Case Analysis:

In Oposa vs the Honorable Fulgencio S. Factoran, Jr., in his capacity as the Secretary of
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Honorable Eriberto U.
Rosario, Presiding Judge of the RTC, Makati, Branch 66, respondents (1993), an action was
filed by several minors represented by their parents against the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources to cancel existing timber license agreements in the country and to stop
issuance of new ones. It was claimed that the resultant deforestation and damage to the
environment violated their constitutional rights to a balanced and healthful ecology and to
health (Sections 16 and 15, Article II of the Constitution). The petitioners asserted that they
represented others of their generation as well as generations yet unborn.

The court stated that the petitioners were able to file a class suit both for others of their
generation and for succeeding generations as “the minors' assertion of their right to a sound
environment constitutes, at the same time, the performance of their obligation to ensure the
protection of that right for the generations to come.” (Extracted from G.R. No. 101083. July
30 1993).

Question:
1. “Timber License is not a Contract but a mere privilege which does not create irrevocable
rights.” What do we mean by this?

2. What do we mean by “rights to a balanced and healthful ecology and to health”?

3. As a young individual, do you think it is right to defend the forests and other natural
resources? Why or why not?

4. How do you relate the case to sustainable development?

 Module 4

Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation

INTRODUCTION

The earth is composed of different kinds of living and non-living things. Wildlife
resources are among those living things that exist. “Wildlife” is an Anglo-American
term which is difficult to translate into other languages. Wildlife, as defined in R.A.
9147, refers to wild forms and varieties/strains of flora and fauna, in all
developmental stages, such as but not limited to eggs, pupae, seedlings including
those which are in captivity or are being bred or propagated; flora and fauna or those
no covered by any legally accepted document stating that same is a product of
registered captive-breeding/propagation shall be presumed to be in wild form.

The Philippines is considered one of the 18 mega-biodiversity countries in the world

providing shelter to 52,177 species of flora and fauna. This represents 5% of the
world’s flora, ranking 5th in the world in terms of number of plant species. The
country houses an estimated 7, 620 species of plants of which are endemic (Ambag,
2018). It contains twothirds of the earth’s biodiversity and between 70% to 80% of
the world’s plant and animal species. In terms of the number of plant species, the
Philippines ranks fifth while it ranks fourth in bird endemism. It is also said that it
maintains 5% of the world’s flora. There is also high incidence of species endemism
which can be supported with 25 genera of plants and 49% of terrestrial wildlife.
(ERDB -DENR, 2015).

While, the Philippines has a very diverse wildlife, it is also considered to be one of
the hotspots in the world because of its 700 threatened species, thus resulting to be
one of the top global conservation areas (CBD, 2016). It is said that an area is
considered hotspot when it has the least number of species existing, has the least
number of species found in an exclusive ecosystem, also if these species face an
alarming degree of threat. The reason why the Philippines was considered one of the
top hotspots because 97% of its original vegetation has already been lost and has
more critically endangered wildlife than any other country (ERDB-DENR, 2015). It is
said that the major reasons of high rate of biodiversity destruction was due to
industrialization and commercialization. Furthermore, because of the growing
population that needs to be fed, lands were converted from forested lands into
agricultural lands.

Based on the convention of biological diversity, a national list of threatened faunal

species was generated in 2004. It includes 42 species of land mammals, 127
species of birds and includes 24 species of reptiles and 14 species of amphibians. In
terms of fishes, the Philippines counts at least 3,214 species, of which 121 are
endemic and 76 threatened. On the other hand, DENR established in 2007 a
national list of threatened plant species which classified that 99 species were
critically endangered, 187 were endangered, 176 vulnerable as well as 64 other
threatened species. (CBD, 2016).

According to the recently-released Red List of the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) based in Switzerland, the country’s flora and fauna
face a precarious future. Of the 11,406 endangered and extinct plant and animal
species documented in 112 countries, 9% or 932 are in the Philippines. As recorded,
the country has 387 threatened species, the world’s fourth highest, after the three
other Asian countries. (ERDB-DENR, 2015).

Importance of Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection of Biodiversity.

Protection of Biodiversity. There is a need to maintain ecological balance thus,

wildlife resources conservation and protection will help protect the biodiversity of our
ecosystem. Every species is important and plays a role in the ecosystem.
Endangering wildlife has a domino effect to the whole ecosystem and may have
negative impact to the environment and ecological balance.

Sustainability of Agriculture. Wildlife conservation can significantly help us in food

security. In agriculture, crop diversity protects food supplies from vulnerability to
diseases. Saving wild plants can be the source for developing biodegradable
chemicals like pesticides, etc which helps maintains ecological balance and protect
our environment from harmful chemicals brought about by synthetic pesticides and
the like. We need to have a paradigm shift from the use of synthetic chemicals to
non-synthetic inputs which are environment friendly. This will lead to a more
sustainable agriculture.

Motivation for Research. Maintaining biodiversity and ecosystems will cater the
need of the humans like medicines. Conducting research on wildlife may develop an
additional natural source and could be more efficient initiative than artificial sources.

Enhance Eco-tourism. Wildlife conservation and protection will increase

awareness of the people on the importance of conserving wildlife and maintaining its
habitat. This will also help enhance tourist’s attraction and destination. Wildlife has
been an integral part of ecotourism, which has gained considerable growth over the
past few decades. Ecotourism has already been a very influential stimulus for the
country’s economies

REPUBLIC ACT 9147

To address the alarming and deteriorating population of wildlife in the Philippines,

the government has come up with the Republic Act No. 9147, otherwise known as
the wildlife resources and conservation Act. This act was conceptualized and
implemented in 2001. It will be the policy of the State to conserve the country’s
wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainability.

This law is enforceable to all kinds of wildlife species found in the Philippines which
include the protected areas which is under Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known
as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, and critical habitats.
This will also apply to exotic species which are subject to trade, are cultured,
maintained and/or bred in captivity or propagated in the country.

CATEGORIES OF WILD LIFE RESOURCES

THREATENED SPECIES is a general term to denote species or subspecies

considered as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or other accepted
categories of wildlife whose population is at risk of extinction. They are classified as:

1) Critically Endangered Species refer to species or subspecies that is facing

extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. Among country’s
critically endangered animals which are in the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List are as follows:

a. Philippine Cockatoo – The red-vented

cockatoo or kalangay is endemic to the
Philippines is considered as critically
endangered species
c. Philippine Flying Lemur – known
locally as “kagwang”. Although called a flying
lemur, it cannot fly and is not a lemur.
Instead, it glides as it leaps among trees.

b. Visayan Wrinkledbilled Hornbill - d. Freshwater crocodile – considered as

This bird originated in Negros,Panay and
Guimaras. It is also known as the Rufous-
headed Hornbill. Due to severe deforestation,
hunting and poaching this incredible bird
species has become extinct in the island of
Guimaras.
the most threatened among all Philippine
Reptiles. It is strictly prohibited to trade
freshwater crocodiles since its population is
estimated at 250 in the wild.
e. Visayan Warty Pig – can only be found
on two of the Visayan Islands in the
Philippines. It is considered critically
endangered species because of it faces unique
challenges to their survival in the wild.
g. Mindoro Bleeding Heart – This species
has an extremely small, severely fragmented
population which is undergoing a continuing
decline owing to lowland forest destruction,
combined with hunting and trade. With this,
reason this species is classified as critically
endangered species

f. Cebu Flowerpecker – It can only be

h. Ilin Island Cloudrunner – This animal is
found in Cebu, Philippines. It is considered
classified as critically endangered species. It is
critically endangered species and was feared
endemic in Ilin Island, Philippines. It emerges
to have become extinct in the early 20th
from tree hollows at night to feed on fruits
century, but was rediscovered in 1992. It is
and leaves.
said that existing population is between 85
and 105 individuals.

2. Endangered species refer to species or subspecies that is not critically endangered but
whose survival in the wild is unlikely if the causal factors continue operating. The Philippines
ranked 24th in the list with 38 endangered animals. It shares the same ranking with
Argentina and Cameroon.
a. Tamaraw – This mammal is considered the most threatened mammal in the Philippines.
It is also known as the dwarf
water buffalo. Its last sightings were in 1992 at Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary in Mindoro.

b. Calamian Deer – is a species of deer found only in the Calamian Group of Islands of Palawan
province of the Philippine.

ENDANGERED ANIMALS AND PLANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

c. Philippine Eagle - Also known as the monkey-eating eagle, is the country’s national bird.
According to data, its total population is now estimated at less than 700 individual birds. There has
been attempt of having a breeding program in captivity but has not been successful and the only
hope for survival is to protect their habitat, however, it may be difficult to achieve this due to high
incidence of deforestation in the Philippines.

d. Sardinella Tawilis – is the only freshwater sardine in the world. Though is it the most dominant
fish in Taal lake, its population is rapidly declining due to overfishing, illegal fishing and the
deteriorating water quality due to pollution.
e. Palawan Bearded Pigs – popularly known as “baboy damo”. It can be seen in areas of Palawan
island. It is reported that its population is rapidly decreasing due to hunting and destruction of its
habitat due to illegal logging, agriculture, urban development, etc

f. Cyathea heterochlamydea -. Is a species of tree fern found in the islands of Luzon, Panay,
Negros and Mindanao.

g. Almaciga - This ancient coniferous tree used to dominate the upland forests in Palawan but
overharvesting and illegal logging now threaten its existence.

h. h. Bungang Ipot – or its Scientific name is ( Areca ipot Becc.) and its family name is(Palmae).
Bungangipot is a small stocky tree to 4m high and to 12cm in diameter. It is found in primary forests
at low and medium altitudes and its conservation status is threatened. While the threats is over-
collection for ornamental purpose.
i. Philippine Date Palm – The very first dates palm tree farm in the Philippines is located at
Barangay Balete, Batangas City

j. Philippine Camia – Philippine Garland, Philippine Camia is epiphytic grew on trunks and
branches of trees in primary forests at altitudes 900 to 1,800m. And its conservation status is very
rare.

. 3. Vulnerable species refer to species or subspecies that is not critically endangered nor
endangered but is under threat from adverse factors throughout their range and is likely to move to
the endangered category in the near future;
VULNERABLE SPECIES

a. Philippine Eagle Owl - It is locally known as the “kuwago” or “bukao” and is vulnerable
species of bird belonging to the Strigidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines where found in
lowland forests on the islands of Catanduanes, Samar, Bohol, Mindanao, Luzon, Leyte and possibly
Sibuyan.

b. “ENDEMIC SPECIES” - means species or subspecies which is naturally occurring and found
only within specific areas in the country. The Philippines is one of the world’s hotspots for endemic
species.

ENDEMIC ANIMALS AND PLANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

a. Tamaraw or dwarf water buffalo which can be found in the island of Mindoro and is also the
largest endemic mammal in the country. It is believed, however, to have once thrived on the greater
island of Luzon. Once numbered more than 10,000, the species is critically endangered with fewer
than 300 living now
b. Pandaka Pygmea – with weight from 4 to 5 mg and length of 1.1 cm to 1.5 cm, this
fish is one of the smallest in the world by mass and is also one of the shortest freshwater fish

. c. Philippine Tarsier – It is endemic in Bohol, Samar, Leyte and some part of Mindanao.

d. Pilandok – It is popularly known as Mouse-deer or Balabac Mouse-deer which is endemic in

Palawan. It has a body size of a rabbit with slender legs and an arched back that is covered by brown
fur with a white base.

e. Philippine Eagle Owl - It is locally known as the “kuwago” or “bukao”. It is endemic to the
Philippines where found in lowland forests on the islands of Catanduanes, Samar, Bohol, Mindanao,
Luzon, Leyte and possibly Sibuyan.

f. Philippine Crocodile – It is endemic in the Philippines.

g. Hoya obscura – is a fast growing hoya . This plant is very easy to grow. This
endemic in the Philippine.

h. Paphiopedilium fowliei – is a native to the beautiful island of Palawan, Philippines. This species is
threatened by loss of habitat inhabits tropical and subtropical forests.

i. Rafflesia Philippensis – parasitic plant named by Blanco in his Flora de Filipinas in 1845. It was first
discovered in between mountain of Laguna and Quezon.

j. Waling-Waling – This is popularly known as the “Queen of Philippine Flowers”. It is endemic to

Mindanao in the provinces of Davao, Cotabato and Zamboanga where it is found in the trunks of
dipterocarp trees.

k. Kris Plant – is an ornamental plant which is native to the Philippines. It can reach up to 6 ft (2 m)
tall and large in its native tropical area.

l. Cebu Cinnamon Tree – It originated in Cantipla, Cebu in mid 1980’s. It is species of cinnamon
which is endemic to Cebu Island, Philippines however several trees are found in the neighboring
islands of Camotes and Siquijor.

C. Economically important species mean species which have actual or potential value in trade or
utilization for commercial purpose.

How the Government Protects and Conserves Wildlife Resources

National Wildlife Management Committee (NWMC) was created to provide technical and
scientific advice for the secretary or council or authorized representatives in the issuance of permits
or clearances related to conservation and protection of wildlife resources. A Regional Wildlife
Management Committee (RWMC) is also created for the provincial level function.
NMWC Function

Will be responsible to submit recommendations to the PAWB or BFAR Director or PCSDS Executive
Director regarding the following applications:

O Use of Wildlife for Trade

O Bioprospecting

O Conservation Breeding or propagation of three

O Atened species

O Scientific researches

O Special uses for other purpose as may be allowed in this Order

ISSUANCE OF PERMITS

These permits below are issued by the Secretary upon completion of the required documents prior
to issuance. These permits may be renewed subject to the guidelines issued by the appropriate
agency and upon consultation with concerned groups.

Permit Duration of Permits

(1) Wildlife farm or culture permit; 3 to 5 years
(2) Wildlife collector’s permit 1 to 3 years;
(3) Gratuitous permit 1 year;
(4) Local transport permit 1 to 3 months
(5) Export/Import/Re-export permit 1 to 3 months

VIOLATIONS OF R.A. 9147

R.A 9147 has determined what are considered violations for any person who will undertake the
following:

1. Killing and destroying wildlife species.

2. Inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of wildlife species;

3. Effecting the following acts in critical habitats.

a. Dumping of waste products detrimental to wildlife.

b. Squatting or otherwise occupying any portion of the critical habitat

c. Mineral exploration and/or extraction.

d. Burning f. Logging

f. Quarrying
4. Introduction, reintroduction or restocking of wildlife resources;

5. Trading of wildlife;

6. Collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives.

7. Gathering or destroying of active nests, nest trees, host plants and the like;

8. Maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries not covered by the preceding violation;

9. Transporting of wildlife

A. FINES AND PENALTIES

Fines and Penalties will be imposed on any violations of R.A. 9147 as follows

VIOLATIONS BASED ON WILDLIFE

RESOURCE CATEGORY FINES AND PENALTIES
1. Critically Endangered Species Six (6) years and One (1) day min to Twelve (12) years
imprisonment Php 100,000.00 to Php 1,000,000.00
2. Endangered Species Four (4) years and One (1) day min to Six (6) years
imprisonment Php 50,000.00 to Php 500,000.00
3. Vulnerable Species Two (2) years and One (1) day min to Four (4) years
imprisonment Php 30,000.00 to Php 300,000.00
4. Threatened Species One (1) year and One (1) day min to Two (2) years
imprisonment Php 20,000.00 to Php 200,000.00
5. For other Wildlife Species Six (6) months and One (1) day min to One (1) year
imprisonment Php 10,000.00 to Php 100,000.00

CONCLUSION

The alarming and pressing concern on how Philippine wildlife and their habitats will be
conserved and protected has been the focus of the local and international government.
With the alarming ecological imbalance and destruction of wildlife habitats due to
manmade interventions may have negative impact to our future generations. The Philippine
government is very serious in enforcing the Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources
Conservation and Protection Act. There are a lots of cases filed against violators of RA 9147
which only shows the need to put priority in giving full protection of our wildlife for our
future generation.

With the initiatives of the Philippine government in intensifying the wildlife resources and
conservation protection program, we are hoping that this can address the declining
population of the flora and fauna in the Philippines. This needs a concerted effort of
everybody, this is not only the concern of the government but it is everybody’s concern. If
we will not help protect our wildlife, it will pose negative impact to our food security, we
will end up experiencing unsustainable agriculture which affects our food supply, source of
raw materials to make medicines, and we will experience constant calamities due to climate
change, no clean water to drink.

With this, we need to come to think of it and make a move and action towards how we can
contribute to the initiatives of the government on wildlife resources conservation and
protection. In our little ways we can make a difference. Let’s move and go for the protection
and conservation of wildlife resources.

References:

Ambag, Rafael. August 13, 2018. Wildlife in the Philippines: Our Glaring Responsibility.
Flipscience.ph. Retrieved from: http//www.flipscience.ph
BusinessWorld. March 15, 2018. DENR to charge wildlife traffickers under RA 9147. Retrieved from:
http//www.bworldonline.com.
Cababaros, Anna Mae. July 1, 2013. “Biodiversity laws R.A. 9147. Wildlife Resources Conservation
and Protection Act”. Slideshare.net. Retrieved from: http//www.slideshare.net.
Convention on Biological Biodiversity. Philippines – Main Details. Biodiversity Facts. Status and
trends of biodiversity including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services. Retrieved from:
http//www.cbd.com
Dela Torre, Joanna. N.D. Endemic and Endangered Plants and Animals in the Philippines. Retrieved
from: http://www.academia.edu.
DENR. Press Releases. GOVPH. Cimatu Lauds Swift Justice for Illegal Pangolin Traders. June 2019.
Retrieved from: http://www.r5.denr.gov.ph/index.php/newsevents/pressrelease.
Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, DENR. 2015. Heeding Nature’s Cry: R.A. 9147.
Retrieved from http://erdb.denr.gov.ph./wp content/uploads/2015/05/c27nl.pdf
Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative Order No. 01 May 18, 2004. Joint Implementing Rules And
Regulations (IRR) Pursuant To Republic Act No. 9147: “An Act Providing For The Conservation And
Protection Of Wildlife Resources And Their Habitats, Appropriating Funds Therefore And For Other
Purposes” Retrieved from: http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/phi157501.pdf
Panay News. P300T worth of threatened plant seized. September 1, 2018. Retrieved from:
http/www.panaynews.net.
Perez, D. 2019. Eco Warrior Princess. Species at Risk: The Most Critically Endangered Animals in the
Philippines. July 3, 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.ecowarriorprincess.net.
Philstar. Letter to the Editor. N.O. DENR Files Cases Against Violators of Wildlife Act. Retrieved from:
http//www.philstar.com
Republic Act No. 9147. An Act Providing for the Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Resources
and their habitats. July 30, 2001 Retrieved from: (http://www.gov.ph/2001/07/30/republic-act-no-
9417/) Seewee Wildlife Association. October 2017. The Reason Why Wildlife Conservation is
Important. Retrieved from: https://www.seweeassociation.org/reason-wildlifeconservation-
important/
The LAWPHIL Project. Arellano Law Foundation. Philippine Laws and Jurisprudence Databank. March
23, 2011. G.R. No. 172678: Sea Lion Fishing Corporation vs People of the Philippines. Retrieved from:
http//www.lawphil.net
Environmental Science

Name:

Learning Activity: Instructions:

1. List as many as possible any wildlife found in Davao Region (both plants and animals)

2. Look for any news clip or news article about a person or persons caught for violating the
wildlife resources protection act. And make your own video clip.

a. What is the violation of the person in the news clip?

b. What are the common reasons for violating the law on wild life resources protection?

c. Is the government doing enough to protect the wildlife resources?

d. What can you do to help protecting the wildlife resources?