The

Condition
of the
Philippine
Environme
nt and
 NATURAL RESOURCES OF
THE PHILIPPINES

1. Forest-based resources 2. The country has a 3. The Philippine mangrove 4. The country is highly 5. The urban environment,
now include only six coastline of approximately forest originally estimated mineralized with estimated air pollution and water
million hectares of 18,000 kilometers. Marine to be over 500,000 hectares metallic and non- metallic pollution are among the
forested areas, with less fishing production in 1918 has declined to only ore reserves of 31.65 billion most visible signs of
than a million hectares of contributed to 62% of the 139,725 hectares. metric tons in 1988. The environmental deterioration.
primary growth forests total fish output in 1987. mining industry has
remaining. constantly played a key role
in economic development.
6. The quality of inland and coastal waters in most 7. Urban population growth and lack of a family
urban centers has been largely affected by untreated planning framework have led to incompatible and
domestic wastes that are dumped into the same bodies inappropriate land use that cause environmental
of water. problems.
KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
AND CONCERNS
1. Debt Relief
2. Poverty and Population
3. Resource Destruction
4. Rapid Urbanization of Areas
5. Environmental Degradation and Disasters
6. Climate Change
7. Hazardous Wastes
PHILIPPIN The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) initiated the process of
E
formulating a Philippine Strategy for
STRATEGY Sustainable Development (PSSD) in 1987.
FOR
SUSTAINAB
LE
DEVELOP
MENT AND
DENR
PROGRAM
 The general strategies
include:
1. Integration of environmental consideration in
decision making (a)
2. Conservation of biodiversity (d)
3. Rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems (e)
4. Proper resource pricing (b)
5. Strengthening of citizens' participation (j)
The PSSD Goals and Objectives
1.To ensure the sustainable utilization of the country's natural
resources such as forests, croplands, and marine and
freshwater ecosystems (a).
2.To develop management programs to preserve the country's
heritage of biological diversity (c).
3.To achieve and maintain an acceptable quality of air and
water (e).
4.To enhance the foundation of scientific decision-making
through the promotion and support of education and research
in ecosystems (h).
5.To promote and support the integration of population
concerns, including migration variables and family welfare
considerations, in development programs with special
emphasis on ecologically critical areas (i).
 ONGOING OR COMPLETED DENR PROGRAMS AND
PROJECTS
1. integration of 3. Resources access and
environmental property rights reforms

a. Natural resource accounting 4. Conservation of

b. Environmental impact assessment biodiversity

a. Conservation of wildlife
2. Proper pricing of
natural resources
5. Rehabilitation of
degraded ecosystem
a. Reforestation deposit
b. Imposition of a. Forest rehabilitation
environmental fees b. Coastal zone rehabilitation program
c. Environmental guarantee c. Rehabilitation program of the mining
fund sector
d. Rivers' revival programs
 ONGOING OR COMPLETED DENR PROGRAMS AND
PROJECTS
6. Pollution control 8. Inducing growth in rural
areas
a. Review and enforcement of environmental
quality standard
9. Promotion of
b. Promotion of environmentally sound environmental
technology education

7. Integration of population
10. Strengthening of
concerns and social welfare in
citizens' participation
development planning
THINGS TO DO:
1. Conduct an environmental impact assessment on any of the government
projects.
2. Present the E.I.A. results for further classroom discussion.
3. Survey different environmental impacts.
a) As an individual or as a group, go to the assigned place or locality for an
impact survey.
b) Conduct an on-the-spot ocular inspection and do a pictorial documentation.
c) Interview local officials or authorities about the advantages and disadvantages
brought about by the change or impact on the environment.
d) Submit a written report of your survey as a term requirement.
FOR LISTENING!