DOÑA REMEDIOS TRINIDAD ROMAULDEZ MEDICAL FOUNDATION
COLLEGE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
National Service Training Program 1
Lesson 3. Enhancing Awareness of Social Issues & Problems
A. STATE OF THE PHILIPPINE
ENVIRONMENT
Introduction:
This module discusses the current environment
situation in the Philippines. It describes the environment
impact brought about by a rapidly increasing Filipino
population. As you realize the stressful effects of people’s
activities on our environment, we hope that you will also
realize that environment degradation b=has become a
major social concern. Likewise, we hope that such
realization will help you to be more aware of our
responsibilities protecting and enhancing the Philippines
environment. And that such new awareness will lead to the
emergence of another Filipino youth who is committed to
take an active stewardship role in “saving the present for
the future”.
In this module, you will:
1. discuss briefly the major problems and concerns in
the Philippines environment;
2. identify the possible causes of these environment
problems and concerns;
3. cite instances which suggest that environmental
degradation has indeed become a major social
concern; and
4. suggest some measures which you could undertake
to help protect and enhance the environment in
terms of:
a. environment-friendly practices and behavior
and;
b. Collective efforts in the community.
What is the Philippines Scenario?
Environmental situation in the Philippines has deteriorated
especially in urban areas (World Bank, Philippines
Environment Monitor, 2002). Rapid population growth
gave rise other problems such as degradation of natural
resources through massive deforestation and changing
land use.
Notice that there are many more open dumpsites in the
Philippines than controlled disposal facilities and sanitary
landfills. An example of a controlled disposal facility is that
of Payatas. It is composed of two mounds of garbage-the
lod one has been covered with soil and planted with grass
while the other one remains in operation receiving
truckloads of trash every day.
Solid Waste Management
What are some of the other effort to address the soil
waste problem?
 Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act 2000. This law declares the Policy of
the State to adopt a systematic; comprehensive and
ecological solid waste management program.
 To implement RA 9003, a local government unit
(LGU) must meet four major components:
segregation at source, segregated collection;
establishment of materials recovery facility (MRF)
and a proper disposal facility.
 Waste paper, used tires, polystyrene waste and
polyethylene (PET) bottles are being recycled by
Recyclean Foundation, Inc., Tire Imported and
Traders Association of the Philippines, Tire
Manufacturers of the Philippines and Philippine
Retreader Polystyrene Packaging Council of the
Philippines and Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippine. Inc.,
respectively.
 Ever Gotesco Corporate Center, Ayala Center
Association, Rockwell Center Association, Inc. and
Alabang Commercial Corporation have agreed to
support the management of recyclable materials and
the information campaign about waste recovery.
 Another law that affects the management of solid
waste is the Local Government Code of 1991or
Republic Act 7160. This law mandates local
government units to exercise power, functions and
responsibilities in providing basis services and
facilities related to general hygiene, sanitation,
beautification and solid waste collection, transport
and disposal.
Water Pollution
How do bodies of water get polluted?
 The quality of river waters has diminished so much so
that almost all the rivers monitored fo Dissolved
Oxygen (DO) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
from 1999 to 2007 failed the criteria for Class C body
of water.
[BMLS 1E] ROA, DOREEN PAZ M. 1 | P a g e
 DOÑA REMEDIOS TRINIDAD ROMAULDEZ MEDICAL FOUNDATION
COLLEGE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
National Service Training Program 1
Lesson 3. Enhancing Awareness of Social Issues & Problems
 The greatest source of organic material that increases
BOD is domestic waste (48%). The total BOD
generation in the Philippines is 2, 236, 750 metric ton
per year.
 The lost common water pollutants in the Philippines
are oil and human and animal waste which organic in
nature. Phosphates, nitrates, heavy metals, plastics,
persistent organic pollutants (PM) and suspended
solids are also abundant.
 As of 2003, data show that 58% of groundwater
meant for drinking water supplies is contaminated
with coliform (bacteria from the large intestine) and
would need treatment.
Water Pollution Management
What is being done to address water pollution problems?
 Through various government and nongovernment
agencies as well as other concerned parties, law have
been enacted and implemented to effectively
manage the country’s waste. Two of these laws
where the DENR is the lead agency mandated to
implement them are Republic Act 6969 and Republic
act 9275.
 Republic Act 6969 known as the Toxic Substances and
Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control of 1990
mandates the control and management of the
import, manufacture, processing, distribution, use,
transport, treatment and disposal of toxic.
 Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act
2004 provides for various approaches to address
problems on water quality. It also envisions
protection, preservation and revival of our bodies of
water.
 The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems
is installing and plans to install a number of sewage
treatment plants in order to treat waste water before
its release into bodies of water.
 PD 600 (as amended by PD 979) otherwise known as
the Marine Pollution Control Decree of 1976 which
regulates and controls the pollution of seas and
oceans and mandated to the Philippines Coast Guard.
 PD 856 (Sanitation Code of 1975) which requires
cities and municipalities to provide adequate and
efficient system for sewage collection, transport and
disposal in their areas of jurisdiction and tasked the
Department of Health to lead the implementation of
this law.
Air Pollution
How is the Philippine atmosphere affected by human
activities?
 When there is “any alteration of the physical,
chemical and biological properties of the atmosphere
making air harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public
health and environment” air pollution is said to exist
(DENR_EMB, 2003)
 Air pollutants originate from mobile sources like
automobiles, stationary/point sources like industrial
firms and area sources like busy roads, burning
garbage, forest fires, construction work and aircraft
operations.
 Carbon monoxide contributes the greatest amount
(50%) of pollutants into the atmosphere. Sulfur
oxides which come from stationary/point sources like
manufacturing processing and electricity generating
plants, mills and chemical industries account only for
9% of the emissions. Nitrogens oxides (15%) and
volatile organic compounds (15%) are basically from
mobile sources.
Effort to Address Air Pollution
 Republic Act 8749 or Clean Air Act of 1999 bans
incineration, which was originally being considered
an option by many local governments from solid
waste disposal.
 Nationwide total suspended particulate (TSP)
monitoring from 2003 to 2007 shows a significant
improvement amounting to 33% (from 144 to
97.tg/Nm3)
 Local governments have initiated different activities
and projects in compliance with the Clean Air Act.
Region 2 placed an interpretative sign along the
national road which read “Dayami ay hag sunugin, i-
decompose para pataba pagyamanin”.
Best Practices in Waste Management
There are various setups where solid waste is properly
managed at its source. At canteen, for instance, there are
four containers for the following waste:
[BMLS 1E] ROA, DOREEN PAZ M. 2 | P a g e
 DOÑA REMEDIOS TRINIDAD ROMAULDEZ MEDICAL FOUNDATION
COLLEGE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

National Service Training Program 1

Lesson 3. Enhancing Awareness of Social Issues & Problems
1) Plastic cups,
2) Plastic spoons and fork,
3) Plastic wrapper,
4) Food leftovers and table napkin.

There are also four kitchen for the following waste:

1. Pig feed
2. Cans
3. Plastic bottles
4. Glass bottles

Your Role in Environment Management

What can you do to help make the environment

sustainable?

You can do a lot help protect the environment and save it

for. These are some of the things you have to seriously
consider:

1. Your awareness of the benefits of proper solid waste

manage your concern for the environment are
crucial.

2. It would be better if you could help promote

cooperation and the community in the management
of solid waste.

3. Try to maximize the use of the materials recovery

facilities (MRF’s) through sharing.

4. Encourage segregation of waste at the source. Try to

do your pacing and recycling solid waste.

5. Use biodegradables rather than non-biodegradables.

[BMLS 1E] ROA, DOREEN PAZ M. 3 | P a g e