MODULE 5: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Prof. Jenefer P. Calipusan, Faculty, College of Forestry and Environmental Studies

Prof. Asnawi D. Linga, Faculty, College of Forestry and Environmental Studies

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the concepts of environmental protection and management of natural

resources and the existing natural environment
2. Identify water conservation strategies.
3. Create a list or matrix to summarize issues/concerns relating to forests and the
environment in general.
4. Describe the role you play in handling and safeguarding the environment.

Duration
Twelve (12) Hours

Learning Resources
Projector, PowerPoint, paper-pen, movie presentation, module in NSTP

Learning Strategies
Focus Group Discussion, Lecture-Discussion, Group dynamics

A. Environmental Protection and Management Introduction

The process of safeguarding the environment by monitoring humans' interactions with their
environments and the numerous components in them is known as environmental management
and protection. Environmental management allows us to assess the influence of human actions
on the environment. It assists us in controlling and limiting the environmental damage produced
by such activities (earthreminder,2023).

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) emphasized the four (4)
environmental issues confronting the Philippines.

Air Pollution
Air pollution has grown particularly problematic in the Philippines during the
course of the year. According to the World Health Organization's health and
environment scorecard, the country has an annual mean of 24 micrograms per cubic
metre (g/m3) for fine particulate matter, which is much higher than the recommended
maximum limit of 5 g/m3. The majority of air pollution in the Philippines is caused by the
combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Given that 53% of the population lacks
access to clean fuels and cooking technology, this is sure to worsen air quality in the long
run.

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 Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution, a particularly serious problem in the Philippines, is one of the
country's environmental challenges. An insufficient waste management system, along
with a high reliance on single-use plastics, set the stage for the Philippines' annual
output of 2.7 million tons of plastic garbage, as evidenced by the World Bank's use of the
word staggering to describe the problem. The Philippines, like any quickly rising country,
suffers unsustainable plastic usage as a result of ineffective recycling infrastructure.
According to estimates, the country loses approximately $890 million due to unrecycled
plastic materials.

Marine Pollution Marine

pollution is one of the Philippines' most important environmental challenges since it is
the third-largest contributor to marine plastics. Given that the country produces over 2
million tons of plastic waste each year, the World Bank estimates that 20% of this debris
ends up in the water. Theresa Lazaro, the country's Foreign Affairs Undersecretary,
depicted the situation of marine pollution in the Philippines, citing projections that
"there would be more plastics than fish by 2050, while oceans would be overheated and
acidified if people do not act now." As a result, marine pollution threatens biodiversity in
the Philippines.

Sea Level Rise Floods

have been recurrent in the Philippines in 2022. On Christmas day alone, erratic rains
trigger devastating flooding in Northern Mindanao and the Visayas region that killed at
least 51 people. This comes at the back of the country topping this year’s World Risk
Index, which assesses sea level rise (a cause of coastal flooding) as one of its indicators.
In line with the problem, Earth.Org’s projection shows that residents of the country’s
capital city, Manila, will be displaced by 2100 if the current trend continues. At the
moment, Manila is already subsiding at 20 millimetres per year, surpassing the mean sea
level rise almost tenfold.

B. Seven Principles of Environment and Environmental Laws

1. Everything is connected to everything else. (Ang lahat ng bagay ay magkakaugnay.)

Human interaction with
nature often alters ecosystems. The waste we improperly dispose of brings about the
deterioration of land and water quality. This may in turn reduce their capacity to provide life for
other organisms. Deforestation causes soil erosion and the earth deposited on the water bodies
covers the coral reefs resulting in fishery loss. Suspended particulates from vehicular and
stationary sources may cause lung problems among city residents. War causes the destruction

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of wildlife and habitats. There is a cause-and-effect chain, even when it is neither always visible
nor observable.

2. All forms of life are important. (Ang lahat na may buhay ay mahalaga.)
All living organisms were created for a purpose in relation to humans, other species on earth
and global ecosystem in general. Thus, when a species becomes extinct, it is like removing a
piece of a jigsaw puzzle from the web of life. The variety of life forms, manifested by the
different levels of biological diversity – community, species and genes – contributes to the
stability of the environment. Food webs, food chains and ecological relationships link plants and
animals together in the web of life. Even bacteria, insects, snakes and rats have ecological
functions even though humans perceive them as parasites or pests. The composition of
biological diversity naturally changes slowly but the rate of transition has become faster due to
factors such as habitat destruction. Deforestation may diminish forest species such as birds that
are vulnerable to modification of their home. Pollution of waters reduces the quantity of fishes,
shells, algae and other aquatic life. Over harvesting of natural products likewise contributes to
the unsustainable use of food and material resources.

To maintain ecological balance, therefore, the conservation of genes, species, and ecosystems
becomes essential to keep life together. Biodiversity conservation strategies commence with
the protection of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Land uses, such as protected areas,
ensure that the natural state of these habitats continues to exist in designated areas.
Community-based approaches in conservation maximize citizens’ participation in protected
areas. The integrity of natural ecosystems can likewise be guarded through the preservation of
indigenous species.

3. Everything must go somewhere. (Ang lahat ng bagay ay may patutunguhan.)

By-products of consumption go back to the environment. Everything that we throw away –
pieces of paper, left-over food, peelings of fruits, plastic wrappers, used containers – have to go
somewhere. Even plants and animals have their own wastes – feces, urine, dead leaves and
branches. It is the law of nature that the by-products of metabolism return to the soil, acted
upon first by worms, bacteria and fungi, and then converted into minerals, to be again absorbed
by plants and eaten by animals. In short, they enter into a material cycle that is an integral part
of the ecosystem. But what happens if what we throw is an artificial product such as plastic?
Then natural bacteria can not recognize them and may not be capable of breaking them apart.
These non-biodegradable products must enter another material cycle – the one that goes to the
factory to be manufactured into a new product. Thus the retrieval, collection and recycling of
these materials become necessary so that they do not pollute land and water habitats.

4. Ours is a finite earth. (Ang kalikasan ay may hangganan.)

Everything that we need is provided by nature in abundance – food, water, energy, minerals and
air. However, some resources that we depend upon nowadays are extracted excessively but are
slow to replace. These non-renewable resources experience limits of supply. For instance, fossil
fuels produced over thousands of years may be exhausted in a hundred years. Some energy

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sources like water, and wood may be replaced easier but have become inaccessible due to
pollution and excessive extraction.

Diminishing forest cover have resulted from logging, ineffective reforestation and continued
land conversion. However, food scarcity and poverty may have resulted from failed distribution
systems rather than inability of the land and water bodies to yield food.

It can be argued that increasing population decreases the amount of resources available to each
person. Carrying capacity, or the ability of the ecosystem to support a number of people, may
be influenced by the limit of resources due to an increasing population. Competition increases
as the carrying capacity is reached. Per capita consumption must also be taken into account
because people in Northern countries generally consume more food, energy and resources than
people in the developing Southern countries. Carrying capacity may be addressed two ways:
increase resources and reduce population growth. Agricultural productivity for instance may be
increased with better availability of water and farm inputs.

Pollution reduces the absorbing capacity of air and water. Pollution likewise reduces the
availability of land and water to produce food for human consumption. A river classified a Class
IV means that it becomes fit only for navigation and can no longer sustain life forms. Likewise,
oil spills from accidents or war destroy bays and rivers. Waterways that have become cesspools
of domestic wastes cannot contain fishes and shells or if they do might transmit toxins and
harmful bacteria to consumers.

5. Nature knows best. (Ang kalikasan ang mas nakakaalam.)

Nature manifests certain processes that enable it to maintain balance and remain in a state of
equilibrium. The nutrient cycling of nitrogen, carbon, sulfur and phosphorous in the air, water,
and land indicates that minerals are utilized within the confines of the earth. The flow of energy
from the sun enables light to be converted into sugar in plants through photosynthesis, and
later for consumer organisms to obtain energy from plant starch. Food chains and food webs
allow the transfer of energy from producers and consumers and provide the means for all living
organisms to acquire nutrition. Population control also occurs naturally through predator – prey
relationships.

The equilibrium in the ecosystem is maintained, thus if humans intervene, unforeseen negative
impacts known as ecological backlash, may arise. Floods are oftentimes backlashes of excessive
felling of trees.

The importation of golden kuhol, that became a pest, reminds us that biological organisms may
not
acclimatize in a new environment or may cause harm to indigenous species.

6. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s creation. (Ang kalikasan ay maganda at
tayo ang tagapangasiwa ng lahat na nilikha ng Diyos.)

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Different religions from Islam to Buddhism to Judeo-Christian to indigenous people’s animism
express the belief of caring for the earth, including all creatures. Thus, environmental education
and biodiversity conservation education aims to motivate target audiences towards developing
an eco-spirituality that moves them into a more meaningful relationship with nature and
greater participation in the biophysical economic processes that make this world a better place
to live in.

7. Everything changes. (Ang lahat ay nagbabago.) Changes in the

biophysical world occur naturally. As they say, there is nothing more permanent in this world
than change. Consider the following examples. The metamorphosis of caterpillars to butterflies
illustrates morphological changes that occur in living forms. The increase of vegetation on earth
augmented the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere over time. Seasons are cyclic changes that
contribute to the diversity of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and other crops during the year.
Random changes manifested by natural catastrophes such as typhoons destroy forests, coral
reefs, and mangroves. Volcanic eruptions annihilate surface flora and submerge rivers.

Human-induced alteration such as climate change may cause more massive repercussions. Land
use change – from forests to agricultural land to human settlements – changes the composition
of vegetation and animals. Human-induced changes can be managed so that the negative
impacts are minimized and positive changes accentuated. Environmental impact assessment
(EIA) provides a tool for the projection, planning, and management of change brought about by
industrialization and human settlement expansion.

Effluents can be managed through policy and pollution control techniques by both industry and
government to achieve clean air and water.

The equilibrium in the ecosystem is maintained, thus if humans intervene, unforeseen negative
impacts known as ecological backlash, may arise. Floods are oftentimes backlashes of excessive
felling of trees.

The importation of golden kuhol, that became a pest, reminds us that biological organisms may
not acclimatize in a new environment or may cause harm to indigenous species.

6. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s creation. (Ang kalikasan ay maganda at
tayo ang tagapangasiwa ng lahat na nilikha ng Diyos.)
Different religions from Islam to Buddhism to Judeo-Christian to indigenous people’s animism
express the belief in caring for the earth, including all creatures. Thus, environmental education
and biodiversity conservation education aims to motivate target audiences towards developing
an eco-spirituality that moves them into a more meaningful relationship with nature and
greater participation in the biophysical economic processes that make this world a better place
to live in.

7. Everything changes. (Ang lahat ay nagbabago.)

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Changes in the biophysical world occur naturally. As they say, there is nothing more permanent
in this world than change. Consider the following examples. The metamorphosis of caterpillars
to butterflies illustrates morphological changes that occur in living forms. The increase of
vegetation on earth augmented the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere over time. Seasons
are cyclic changes that contribute to the diversity of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and other crops
during the year. Random changes manifested by natural catastrophes such as typhoons destroy
forests, coral reefs, and mangroves. Volcanic eruptions annihilate surface flora and submerge
rivers.

Human-induced alteration such as climate change may cause more massive repercussions. Land
use change – from forests to agricultural land to human settlements – change the composition
of vegetation and animals. Human-induced changes can be managed so that the negative
impacts are minimized and positive changes accentuated. Environmental impact assessment
(EIA) provides a tool for the projection, planning and management of change brought about by
industrialization and human settlement expansion.

Effluents can be managed through policy and pollution control techniques by both industry and
government to achieve clean air and water.

*Adapted from Barry Commoner, as compiled by Miriam College.

The Philippine government's goal is to raise people's understanding and awareness of the
environment and associated difficulties, to develop the skills and competence needed to
address the challenges, and to build attitudes, incentives, and commitments to take responsible
actions.

Furthermore, the government is safeguarding the environment through enabling legislation.

The Philippines now has the following environmental laws:

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C. Forest Protection, Conservation and Development

Forest resource protection in many countries addresses issues from the definition of the forest,
to the establishment of government agencies responsible for aspects of forest policy and
management, to the creation of mechanisms for conflict resolution, and other concerns.

While it is tempting to call all threats to the world’s forests ‘illegal,’ it would be an unhelpful
oversimplification to assert that violations of forest resource protection are the only, or even
the most important hazards. Even where regulations are violated in the course of forest
destruction or degradation, more intricate and elaborate chains of causation, involving poverty,
environmental change, competing demands and other forces are also at work. Nonetheless, a
law enforcement perspective does have a great deal to offer in understanding forest loss and in

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offering specific recommendations and interventions. Indeed, there is an enormous and
increasing body of evidence that suggests that activities carried out in violation of forest
resource protection regulations are important contributors to the global decline of forest
resources.

Most activities that can be perceived as violations of forest resource protection are not
inherently wrong or bad. Unauthorized logging, land clearance, setting fires, hunting and other
potentially unwanted activities may, at some time and in some places, be legal, desirable, and
even promoted. Where they are unwanted, they acquire their illegality only in reference to
violations of specific prohibitions and, in some legal frameworks, after a specific judicial
determination that they contravene those prohibitions.

The loss of Philippine forests and its ecological consequences arose out of three related factors:
1. nature of state policies with respect to land classification, public land allocation, access
on one hand, and those governing the pricing of forest land access and taxation of
timber extraction and exportation on the other;
2. the limited perspective, economic interest, and time horizon of loggers and exporters, as
reflected in their practices; and
3. the weak enforcement capacity of the state which partly results from the prevalence
interest among bureaucrats and enforcement agents and the dominance of natural
resource exploitation in its policy orientation.

Presidential Decree (PD) 705 stipulated all measures to protect forest resources from
destruction, impairment, and depletion. Offenses and penalties are classified under Section 68-
79 of this provision as follows;

● Cutting, Gathering and/or Collecting Timber or Other Products Without License

● Unlawful Occupation or Destruction of Forest Lands
● Pasturing Livestock
● Illegal Occupation of National Parks System and Recreation Areas and Vandalism Therein
● Destruction of Wildlife Resources
● Survey by Unauthorized Person
● Misclassification and Survey by Government Official or Employee
● Tax Declaration on Real Property
● Coercion and Influence
● Unlawful Possession of Implements and Devices Used by Forest Officers
● Payment, Collection and Remittance of Forest Charges
● Sale of Wood Products

Shifting cultivation, cash farming, firewood collecting, livestock grazing, unsustainable logging,
and man-made fires exacerbated by unusual droughts are all elements that contribute to forest
loss and degradation. Poverty, overpopulation, inequitable land tenure systems, flawed policies,
weak governments, and financial burdens are the root causes of forest problems.

Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment

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One of the most striking lessons learned during the Philippines' two decades of environmental
awakening is that simply maintaining the earth's delicate equilibrium through pollution control
and other ecological mitigation measures cannot ensure sustainable growth. There is now a
pressing need to reexamine traditional development paradigms, which have a sole focus on
economic principles and the political economics of natural resources.

Thus, the only realistic method to plan the country's national progress is through sustainable
development: meeting the needs of today's citizens without limiting future generations'
opportunities to meet their needs. It is the goal of higher levels of quality of life while preserving
or even improving environmental quality; it is the attainment of material progress without
jeopardizing the life-support functions of natural systems; it is the pursuit of better levels of
quality of life while preserving or even improving environmental quality. It is the only genuine
advancement.

The Philippine Strategy For Sustainable Development (PSSD)

● Integration of Environmental Considerations In Decision-Making

Natural resource accounting emphasizes the productive role of natural resources in the
economic system. Natural resource assets must be valued in the same manner as man-
made assets. Inasmuch as natural resources are principally the main assets upon which
we depend for revenue, employment and foreign exchange, a system of national
accounting and analysis must be instituted that recognizes them as such.

● Proper Pricing of Natural Resources

The most widespread opportunity for improving resource management is to treat
natural resources as truly scarce, not as if they were free. This is done by proper pricing
based on the cost of replenishment, increasing their supply and providing appropriate
substitutes. In essence, this strategy aims to correct the gross underpricing of natural
resources (e.g., logs, minerals) that is substantially responsible for the wasteful
extraction and utilization of these resources.

A component of the needed price reform strategy involves charging a price on those
environmental resources (e.g., air, water) which have until now been regarded as free
resources and which have thus been polluted freely and indiscriminately. At present,
polluters continue to view the environment as a mere sink, for which they pay nothing.
This concept should be changed. A social price should be assigned to these otherwise
free resources. The polluter must then learn to internalize this price within his profit-
oriented decision-making process. If there is pollution, the polluter must pay for the
consequent social costs. The choice can be made between cutting down on pollution by
investing in pollution control devices or cutting down directly on pollutive aspects of an
activity. In effect, the polluter regulates his own behaviour within the context of an
environmental pricing system. The system is based on the so-called "polluter pays"
principle.

● Property Rights Reform

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 Natural resources have a tendency to be exploited as free resources by individuals even
though they are in effect scarce resources. This is the case for "open access" resources in
which there is 8 strong tendency for misuse and depletion. It is difficult for an individual
producer such as a shifting cultivator or an artesanal fisherman to conserve an open
access resource and unilaterally regulate his exploitative efforts, since from his
perception anything that he conserves will only be taken up by others. This is the famous
"tragedy of the commons."

● Establishment of an Integrated Protected Areas System

Ecosystems are composed of species, and species are composed of genes and all
these are linked to one another. The stability of ecosystems ultimately depends on the
diversity of genes and species.

Protected areas should therefore be established for the conservation of wildlife and
unique ecosystems, with the end in view of conserving genetic resources for scientific,
educational, cultural and historical values. The establishment of protected areas should
be preceded by a reassessment of the status of parks and equivalent reserves. This will
serve as the basis for developing rehabilitative strategies for degraded parks and at the
same time identify new areas where conservation of genetic resources and preservation
of biological diversity can be pursued

● Rehabilitation of Degraded Ecosystems

Rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems is a significant strategy given the massive
destruction of ecosystems that has already occurred. Under such conditions, nature's
regenerative capacity is not enough. Deliberate rehabilitative efforts are needed. It must
keep pace with the continuous degradation caused by the increasing demands for both
raw materials and products that come from natural resources. As the pressures on these
resources continue to intensify so must the country's commitment and capability for
rehabilitative action. A concerted action, therefore, of a magnitude never tried before in
the reforestation of denuded watersheds, mangrove re-plantation, clean-up and control
of pollution and revival of biologically dead rivers, and seagrass transplantation should
be vigorously undertaken.

● Strengthening of Residuals Management in Industry (Pollution Control)

The most commonly applied instrument for pollution control is "end-of-pipe" control
systems that treat or attempt to limit waste products with standards and limits on the
permissible emissions rate. Residuals management, however, looks at the pollution
problem within a more comprehensive framework of materials policy which includes
resource recovery, recycling, and appropriate by product design that save on materials
and energy.

● Integration of Population Concerns and Social Welfare In Development Planning

Population is a critical factor in any effort at sustainable development. Population and
the values espoused determine the speed at which productivity can be increased or
conversely the pressures on land and natural resources brought to bear by the process
of development. For a developing country like the Philippines, it is important that the

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 population factor-in all its dimensions - is turned into a real asset for building a strong
industrial base, for multiplying productive forms of livelihood, and for preserving and
improving fragile ecosystems and the overall natural resource environment.

● Inducing Growth In the Rural Areas

Economic recovery and long-term stability depend on increasing incomes and
employment in the rural areas, where a majority of our people reside. It should be again
noted that the rural poor are linked very closely to natural resources. Their actions have
a direct impact on natural resources. Conversely, any change in the actual and potential
productivity of these resources have serious repercussions on their present and future
welfare, even on their very survival. The sheer number of rural poor already in place
right on or beside fragile ecosystems make them a formidable force either for
environmental destruction or protection.

● Promotion of Environmental Education

Environmental education as conceived in the PSSD has two major objectives. The first is
to enable citizens to understand and appreciate the complex nature of the environment,
as well as the role played by a properly managed environment in economic development
and to develop social values that are strongly supportive of environmental protection
and which will create the commitment and political will to deal with difficult issues. Only
a well-informed and motivated citizenry could provide the mass base necessary for the
continued protection of the environment.

The second objective is to develop the local knowledge base about the local
environment and natural resources through the development and promotion of tertiary
and graduate courses in ecology, environmental science, resource management and
resource economics. Research and development in these areas should be promoted.

● Strengthening of Citizens' Participation and Constituency Building

Lessons from both failures and successes in environmental and developmental efforts
have shown that citizens' participation is an important decisive factor. Absence or lack of
it has caused failures. Its active presence has resulted not only in efforts to meet
immediate targets but also in the assured sustainability of positive trends that have been
initiated.

D. Water Sanitation and Conservation

Water sanitation refers to the public health conditions associated with safe drinking water and
proper treatment and disposal of human excretions and wastewater.

Out of the Philippines’ 109 million people, 57 million (52% of the population) do not have access
to a reliable, safe source of water, and 43 million (39%) do not have access to safe household
sanitation facilities. Despite its increasing economy, the Philippines faces substantial water and
sanitation access difficulties. The country is quickly urbanizing, and its expanding cities are

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struggling to provide appropriate water and sanitation facilities to new citizens (Water.org,
2023).

Despite the government's and other stakeholders' efforts, the country is still challenged to
address the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Listed below are some specific
issues that need to be addressed.

1. Lack of access to safe drinking water: About 8 million Filipinos do not have access to safe
drinking water, with most of them living in rural areas. This is due to inadequate water
supply systems, poor water quality, and limited access to water sources.
2. Poor sanitation: Over 25 million Filipinos do not have access to improved sanitation
facilities, such as toilets, leading to open defecation, which contributes to the spread of
diseases.
3. High prevalence of waterborne diseases: Waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera,
and typhoid fever are common in the Philippines, especially in rural areas, where access
to safe drinking water is limited.
4. Limited access to hygiene facilities: Many households in the country lack basic hygiene
facilities such as soap, handwashing stations, and menstrual hygiene products.
5. Weak policy and regulatory frameworks: The existing policies and regulations on WASH
are not adequately enforced, leading to poor implementation of WASH programs.
6. Inadequate funding: The government’s budget for WASH programs is limited, making it
challenging to implement sustainable solutions.
7. Climate change: The Philippines is vulnerable to climate change, which poses significant
challenges to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene, especially in rural areas.
8. Poor water management: Inefficient water management practices, such as over-
extraction and pollution of water sources, lead to water scarcity and poor water quality.
9. Limited awareness and behavior change: Many people in the country lack knowledge of
the importance of WASH practices and the consequences of poor hygiene behavior.
10. Limited capacity of local institutions: The capacity of local institutions to implement and
manage WASH programs is limited, leading to poor implementation and sustainability.

At present, the government in collaboration with stakeholders implemented to improve access

to WASH services in the country.

1. Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS): The CLTS approach focuses on behavioral

change rather than infrastructure development. It encourages communities to recognize
the importance of good hygiene and sanitation practices and take collective action to
build and maintain their own toilets. This approach has been successful in the
Philippines, with over 7,000 villages becoming Open Defecation Free (ODF) since 2010.
2. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): The government of the Philippines has engaged with
private sector entities to invest in the WASH sector, particularly in urban areas. PPPs
have been successful in the country, with private sector entities contributing to the
construction of water treatment plants, distribution systems, and sewerage networks.

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 3. Wastewater treatment: The Philippine government has implemented measures to
improve wastewater treatment facilities in urban areas, reducing the discharge of
untreated wastewater into rivers and other bodies of water. The government has also
introduced a wastewater treatment regulatory system that requires industries to comply
with effluent standards.
4. Rainwater harvesting: The Philippines has a high rainfall intensity, and rainwater
harvesting has been promoted as a sustainable solution to meet the water needs of
communities. The government has implemented rainwater harvesting systems in
schools, public buildings, and households in rural areas.
5. Integrated water resource management: The government has implemented measures
to manage water resources sustainably, including watershed management, river basin
management, and groundwater management.
6. Behaviour change campaigns: NGOs and the government have launched various
behavior change campaigns to promote good hygiene and sanitation practices among
the population. The “BIDA ang Handa” campaign, for example, aimed to encourage
Filipinos to practice hand hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
7. Construction of water supply systems: The Philippine government has invested in
constructing water supply systems in rural areas, where access to safe water is limited.
This has involved the construction of communal water supply systems, such as deep
wells, rainwater harvesting systems, and spring development.
8. Sanitation marketing: NGOs and the government have promoted sanitation marketing
to increase access to sanitation facilities. This involves creating demand for sanitation
products, such as toilets and handwashing stations, and encouraging local entrepreneurs
to sell these products.
9. Hygiene education in schools: The government has incorporated hygiene education in
the school curriculum to promote good hygiene practices among children. This includes
the construction of handwashing stations in schools, the promotion of handwashing
before meals, and the provision of soap and water.
10. Mobile technology: The use of mobile technology has been employed to improve access
to WASH facilities in rural areas. The “WASH-UP!” app, for example, allows users to
locate nearby water and sanitation facilities and provides information on their condition.

The aforementioned measures have considerably increased access to safe drinking water,
sanitation, and hygiene facilities in the Philippines. However, there is still a long way to go until
universal access to these essential services is achieved.

Water conservation is the practice of using water efficiently to reduce unnecessary water usage.
This is an important practice because clean water is a scarce and expensive resource. The

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preservation of this natural resource is crucial for the ecology as well as for individual wallets
(Constellation, 2023).

Floods and other water-related disasters account for 70 percent of all deaths related to
natural disasters. Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies, and activities to
sustainably manage the natural resource of fresh water, protect the hydrosphere, and meet the
current and future human demand. Population, household size, growth, and affluence all affect
how much water is used. Factors such as climate change have increased pressures on natural
water resources, especially in manufacturing and agricultural irrigation. Many countries have
already implemented policies aimed at water conservation, with much success.

The goals of water conservation efforts include:

● Ensuring the availability of water for future generations where the withdrawal of
freshwater from an ecosystem does not exceed its natural replacement rate.
● Energy conservation as water pumping, delivery and wastewater treatment facilities
consume a significant amount of energy. In some regions of the world over 15% of total
electricity consumption is devoted to water management.
● Habitat conservation where minimizing human water usage helps to preserve freshwater
habitats for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl, but also water quality.
●
Raw water flushing where toilets use sea water or non-purified water (i.e. graywater)
Wastewater reuse or recycling systems, allowing:

● Reuse of graywater for flushing toilets or watering garden

● Recycling of wastewater through purification at a water treatment plant
● Rainwater harvesting
● High-efficiency clothes washers
● Weather-based irrigation controllers
● Garden hose nozzles that shut off the water when it is not being used, instead of letting
a hose run.
● Low flow taps in wash basins
● Swimming pool covers that reduce evaporation and can warm pool water to reduce
water, energy and chemical costs
● Automatic faucet is a water conservation faucet that eliminates water waste at the
faucet. It automates the use of faucets without the use of hands.

Commercial Applications

● Many water-saving devices (such as low-flush toilets) that are useful in homes can also
be
● useful for business water saving. Other water-saving technology for businesses includes:

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 ● Waterless urinals (also can be installed in schools)
● Waterless car washes
● Infrared or foot-operated taps, which can save water by using short bursts of water for
rinsing in a kitchen or bathroom

Pressurized waterbrooms, which can be used instead of a hose to clean sidewalks

● X-ray film processor re-circulation systems

● Cooling tower conductivity controllers
● Water-saving steam sterilizers, for use in hospitals and health care facilities
● Rain water harvesting
● Water to Water heat exchangers.

E. The Role of the Youth in the Environmental Protection and Management

Young people can play an active role in protecting and improving the environment. They can
change their lifestyle and how it affects the environment. They can make their homes, schools,
and youth organizations more environmentally friendly by adopting environmentally friendly
practices, recycling different materials as well as preserving resources such as water and
electricity. Engaging youth in environmental protection not only creates a direct impact on
changing youth behaviors and attitudes, but possibly influences their parents, relatives, and
families.

Youth is the backbone of the nation. They can change the future of society with their well-being
and courageous behavior. Unfortunately today we find the youth who are more interested in
other places which are not useful to them as well as nationally. They choose to spend their days
doing drugs and playing video games. They spend their nights partying and living it up, so to
speak. More and more young men of this age group are sitting at home in front of their
televisions playing games all day instead of bettering themselves or going to work. They have no
vision and if they do have dreams they do not have the drive to make any attempt at achieving
them.

The environment is simply defined as our surroundings, including both living and non-living
things and youth are the young people. Environmental protection is a broad subject.
Environmental problems are rising day by day and everyone is concerned about global warming
and climate change globally but local and national environmental problems are less concerned.
Protecting the environment starts with pollution control. Therefore, youth can help reduce
waste by paying attention to minor details in their daily lives, for example, not taking extra
plastic bags when they go shopping. Actually, there are many other tips for a greener
environment.

NSTP Module 2023

Mindanao State University - Main Campus
By applying the greening knowledge at home and schools, we can help to market a city, a
greener city. Discarding computers, electrical appliances and rechargeable batteries can
seriously harm the environment. Youth role is to implement recycling programs for used
computers and electrical appliances. You can arrange for collection services with them. There
are also many collection points for recycling of rechargeable batteries, so do not simply throw
them away.

Youth have a role to play in environmental and conservation efforts that will improve
livelihoods.

Tips:

In House
● Close the running tap water, when not needed.
● Use the dishwasher, when the dishes are full. Try to avoid using it more often i.e. for
each single plate.
● Try to be cautious in using water. Turn off taps when not used. By this way, it is
estimated every home can save more than a gallon of water, which is very high when
combined with a local.
● Turning off Lights and saving electricity as much as possible is also a way to go green.
● During the daytime, it is good to open windows and screens to let sunlight in and fill the
house with warmth. After all, sunlight is essential for the body in the form of vitamin A.
● The local power company would be able to provide a free presentation on how to make
the home a better energy-efficient home

Recycling and Reusing

● Giving away unwanted or unusable materials to free service organizations is a better

way to start.
● Reusing the furniture would save some extra money spent on newer furniture. For
example, one can remodel a table by adding sheets of wood to it and create his own
wardrobe.
● Recycling paper, plastics, glass and metals could also be done by making use of the local
trash pickup service.
● Instead of simply throwing older items, one can use his creativity in creating the essence
out of them. For example, the older screen cloth could be stitched with flat sheets and
made as curtains or cloth pieces covering the shades of the lamp. They are easy and
cheap in terms of interior decorating materials.
● Choosing reusable water bottles in comparison with plastic bottles every month is a nice
way to avoid using plastics and reusing water bottles. They may be expensive at the
beginning, but once getting used to it, they would prove worthy of providing health and
hygiene besides going green.

NSTP Module 2023

Mindanao State University - Main Campus
With Transport

● Carpooling or vehicle pooling is the best way to save the environment from three or four
times the pollution. Carpooling can be done with friends, neighbors, or relatives working
in the same direction as yours, not necessarily the same company.
● Maintaining the vehicle regularly and providing it for service near a service station would
help minimize its pollution output.
● Many companies have started offering the plan 'Work while you are at home'. Enjoying
this benefit not only saves green but also enables one to spend quality time together in a
family and allows one to save costs of traveling and fuel.

Learning Tasks

NSTP Module 2023

Mindanao State University - Main Campus