Draft environmental report on The Philippines

This environmental report is a profile of the Republic"s indigenous natural resources including climatic factors, water and energy sources, forests, seismic activity, soils, wildlife, minerals, and coasts and beaches. In addition, government and nongovernment agencies involved with environmental issues and legislation are described. The Philippines is plagued by a number of environmental problems. (1) Deforestation and soil erosion have increased. An estimated 5 million hectares of forest lands have been leveled, of which 1.4 million ha had been located in critical watershed areas. Deforestation is progressing at a rate of 80,000 ha per year. Although the Government does require replanting by loggers, enforcement is inadequate. Erosion is excessive in Cebu, Luzon, Masbate, Panay, and Bohol. (2) Water and air pollution are an increasing health hazard. Industrial waste is a serious problem in Manila and surveys indicate that 38 rivers are currently being polluted by industry. Sources of this pollution are mining operations, sugar mills, food processing plants, breweries, distilleries, and factories producing plastics, paper, detergents and chemicals. The National Pollution Control Commission (NPCC) has recently begun fining offenders. The NPCC has also initiated clean air compaigns directed at motor vehicles, but little has been done regarding industry. (3) The loss of natural habitats continues unabated. Important as coastal buffers and fish habitats, the reefs have been damaged by both eroded river silt and fishermen"s dynamite. Approximately 50% of the coral reefs surrounding the Philippines are either dead or dying. Mangrove swamps have also been dramatically reduced due to cutting for forest products, thus eliminating the protective function swamps provide for fish and shellfish. Generally, there has been little environmental management of these areas. A 16-item bibliography (1965-79) is appended.