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CWTS MODULE 4 - Environmental Protection
CWTS MODULE 4 - Environmental Protection
CWTS MODULE 4 - Environmental Protection
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Overview:
Man’s environment consists of natural resources like air, land, water, plants, and
animals. With the progress of industrialization and civilization, man has interacted with his
surroundings and disturbed the nature. It leads to environmental pollution, which cannot be
eradicated by nature’s self-acting process, i.e., various biogeochemical cycles.
Environmental damage around includes pollution of water and air and consequent
health problems, biodiversity loss, deterioration of buildings and monuments, soil fertility
loss, desertification, ozone depletion, and many more. Environmental protection and
management have become one of the foremost concerns of the world as well as the
Philippines.
Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate-related disasters
because of its location, geographical circumstances, and socio-economic conditions.
Therefore, great imperative should be given to disseminate information and to educate the
people about the ramifications of environmental issues especially about biodiversity
conservation and climate change.
This module covers Republic Acts and other Laws on Environmental Protection, Solid
Waste Management and Proper Waste Disposal, Preventing Air Pollution, Water Resource
and Pollution, and Coping with Climate Change.
Objectives:
Course Materials:
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healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature,
and in recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation-building and
the role of education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development,
the state shall promote national awareness on the role of natural
resources in economic growth and the importance of environmental
conservation and ecological balance towards sustained national
development.
Republic Act 9003: January 26, 2001 -- This is an act providing for an ecological
solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms
and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating
funds thereof and for other purposes.
Republic Act No. 9275: March 22, 2004 – An act providing for a comprehensive water
quality management and for other purposes.
Republic Act 8749: June 23, 1999, “Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999” - An act
providing for a comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes.
Republic Act No. 9147 – An act providing for the conservation and protection of
wildlife resources and their habitats, appropriating funds therefor and for other
purposes.
Republic Act No. 9175 – An act regulating the ownership, possession, sale,
importation and use of chainsaws, penalizing violations thereof and for other purposes
CHED Memorandum Order no. 33 Series of 2009 – CMO which mandates the integration
of Environmental Education in the Tertiary Education Curriculum particularly the Civic Welfare
Training Service component in the National Service Training Program
Please Watch:
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Please Read:
We have an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude towards garbage disposal. The system
of garbage disposal can be described simply as: tapon (by the individual, household); hakot
(by government trucks and/or private contractors); tambak (in open dumpsites); kalat (due to
improper manner of disposal, retrieval, inadequate collection and over-congestion in
dumpsites); sunog (to burn the pile of uncollected garbage). The cycle is unending.
As part of the problem, we should break the cycle and take the initiative to be part of
the solution. The tragedy that has befallen the residents of Payatas dump site in Quezon City,
when its mountain of garbage toppled down burying many shanties as well as garbage-
pickers, should strengthen our desire to do something about our wasteful lifestyles.
Schools are cradle of values formation and students form the majority of is community.
When we educate students on the rationale, theories, and practice of solid waste
management, we form a strong alliance with future leaders who would largely affect the future
stewardship of our environment.
Paradigm Shift
Dump vs Raw
Waste
Material
Waste site
Old Paradigm
New Paradigm
Source: Solid Waste Management Bureau Module for School. Quezon City: Miriam College-
Environmental Studies Institute and Environment Management Bureau-DENR, 2005.
The following are the steps on proper waste disposal. Complying with these steps,
individuals can help the government in enacting the enabling laws. This will largely aid the
resolution of ecological problems and contribute to environment-conservation.
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I. Segregating
Below is table that shows classification of wastes present in the Country. Generally,
wastes can be classified as biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
Non - Biodegradable
Biodegradable
Recyclable Residual Hazardous
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II. Composting
It is the process where biodegradable waste is placed in a certain tank or a hole for a
certain time to let it decompose with the help of decomposers like yeasts, worms, and moulds.
After the decomposition, the decomposed waste can now be used as a fertilizer for plants.
1. Chop biodegradable wastes into finer portions. The smaller the size of organic wastes,
the faster the compost will be ready for use.
2. Mix up the biodegradable wastes and place them into the composters. Do not burn
on top of the piles or composters because the heat will kill the biological
“decomposers”, thus, delaying the composting process.
3. Sprinkle a small amount of water. Moisture is essential for microbial activity. Protect
the composters from accumulating too much liquid to avoid leaching (garbage juice).
4. Sprinkle or layer with soil so as not to invite flies and to control odors. Place the soil in
between the layers of the mixture.
5. Aerate the pile. Turn it once or twice a month to provide the necessary oxygen to
hasten the composting process.
6. When the interior of the pile is no longer hot and the material has broken down into a
dark and dry soil, the composting is finished.
1. Twin Pits
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2. Tower Tires
3. Bottomless Composters
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6. Compost Bins
III. Recycling
It is the most useful and helpful way of waste management. Non-biodegradable waste
can be recycled by creating helpful and useful things out of it like the plastic bottles can be
made as house decorations while used magazines can be made into beautiful pillows.
Recycling can also be a source of income in the community, can really reduce pollution, save
natural resources, and conserve energy in the households.
Please Watch:
Air pollution is a life-threatening problem in Manila. "Air pollution" means any alteration
of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmospheric air, or any discharge
thereto of any liquid, gaseous or solid substances that will or is likely to create or to render the
air resources of the country harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety or welfare
or which will adversely affect their utilization for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural,
recreational, or other legitimate purposes (Clean Air Act of 1999).
Republic Act 8749, now known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, was approved
by the then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on June 23, 1999. The act provides for a
comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes, such as the filing of an
administrative action against violators of the standards or limitations set by the act or any
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order, rule, or regulation issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) regarding such standard or limitation, as well as the imposition of fines and penalties
(for example, a fine of not more than P100,000 for each day of violation against the owner or
operator of a stationary source until such time that the standards have been complied with).
The seven-chapter act contains provisions for basic air quality policies, air quality
management, air pollution clearances and permits for stationary sources, and pollution
standards for the three sources of air pollutants (stationary sources, motor vehicles, and other
sources). One important section (Sec. 24) prohibits smoking in public places (buildings,
enclosed places, vehicles, or enclosed areas).
The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and
enforcement of this act, but it shall consult, participate, cooperate, and enter into agreement
with other government agencies, or with affected nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or
people’s organizations (POs), or private enterprises. Local government units (LGUs) shall,
likewise, share the responsibility in the management and maintenance of air quality within
their territorial jurisdiction.
Air Pollutants
Air pollutants are any substances in air that could harm humans, animals, vegetation,
or materials when they occur in sufficient concentration. The pollutants (which may be solid
particles, liquid droplets, and/or gases) are generally grouped into two major types:
Based on the World Bank report, there are more than 100 identified air pollutants, and
they are categorized into particulates of various sizes, oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), and ozone (O). Noise and odor are also considered pollutants.
Air pollutants like the visible smoky automobile exhaust or the plume from an industrial
chimney invoke public concern because of the health hazards and odor nuisance they
present. Some pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO ), sulfur
dioxide (SO ), and very fine particles, are not visible, but they are equally or even more
damaging for human health and the environment.
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In the Philippines, the sources of air pollution are of three kinds: (1) mobile sources
consisting of transports, such as buses, cars, and motorcycles; (2) stationary sources
comprising industries and power plants, and (3) area sources like road dust, construction, and
burning.
1. Maintain your vehicle engine regularly. Change oil every 5,000 kilometers. Use the right
grade of engine oil. Have regular engine tune-ups.
2. Clean the air filter regularly. It is important to maintain the right amount of air in the engine
to ensure the complete burning of diesel fuel. A dirty air filter can obstruct the entry of air
into the engine.
3. Make sure the engine capacity is suited to the size of the vehicle.
4. Observe proper driving habits. Avoid jackrabbit starts. Always use the correct gear
position.
5. Travel only at speeds set by traffic regulations and suitable to road conditions.
6. Avoid leaving your engine idling.
7. Plan your trips well and save on fuel.
8. Don’t overload. Overloading strains the engine’s capacity. Remove unnecessary things
from the trunk.
9. Keep tires properly inflated.
10. Make sure the exhaust pipes are well-maintained.
1. Take the bus or patronize the mass railway transit whenever you can.
2. Use company vehicles wisely and make sure they are well-maintained.
3. Use natural lighting during the daytime. Make sure that lights use energy efficient.
4. Try talking to the jeepney, bus or tricycle driver about the benefits of proper vehicle
maintenance as well as the high health risks of air pollution and improper driving
practices.
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For everyone
1. As much as possible, walk or ride your bicycle instead of taking motorized transport.
2. Report smoke belchers to the MMDA, LTO, and other appropriate local government
units and organizations.
3. Spread the word about the ban or smoking in public places.
4. Talk to people on what they can do about stopping of air pollution.
Please Watch:
Water is vital to the sustenance of all forms of life on earth. There is no substitute for
fresh water, and its depletion in quantity and quality has an all-encompassing effect not only
on society but also on the country’s economy and on its ecology. Without water, people die,
economic activities stop, and ecosystems are destroyed.
Water plays a significant role for sustainable development, including poverty reduction.
The ever-increasing use, abuse of, and competition for precious water resources have
intensified over the past years, resulting in water shortages, water quality degradation, and
aquatic ecosystem destruction, all of which are now seriously affecting prospects for social
and economic development, political stability, and ecosystem integrity.
Despite a series of active efforts in the water sector, there seems to be a continuing
momentum in the degradation of the country’s dwindling water resources creating problems
like water scarcity, water pollution, rising groundwater extraction, degradation of watersheds,
and poor condition of coral reefs.
Water scarcity. Some 450 million people in 29 countries are now suffering from water
scarcity because of geographical and climatic factors, and since the demand for water is
growing, severe water shortages will affect many other countries, not only those in arid and
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semi-arid regions. The UN estimates that about 5.5 billion or as much as two-thirds of the
world’s population are on the verge of facing inadequate water supply by 2025.
The Philippines is one of the most populous countries in Asia and the world. While
most of the population still resides in the rural areas, urban migration has increased steadily,
and urbanization is adding pressure in providing water supplies. Supplying water to an urban
center whose population is rapidly expanding requires the installation of more expensive and
sophisticated water facilities since water must be derived from distant areas.
There are nine water-critical urbanized areas in the Philippines where water is
consumed intensively: Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Davao, Baguio City, Angeles City, Bacolod
City, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Zamboanga City.
Water pollution. About half of the world’s 500 major rivers and all rivers running
through Asian cities are badly polluted. The sources of water pollutants are domestic sewage,
industrial wastewater, agricultural runoff, stormwater runoff, and naturally occurring sources.
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aquifer recharge rates have led to saline intrusion in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu and to
pollution of groundwater from domestic sewage, factory wastes, and agriculture chemicals.
Poor condition of coral reefs. Avelino reports that the latest inventory of the
country’s coral reef areas of about 27,000 km2 shows that only 4.3 percent of the reefs are in
excellent condition. Almost one-third of all fish species live on the reefs, while 55 percent of
the country’s fish consumption depends on them and on seagrass beds at various stages in
their life cycles.
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Waterway Stewardship
• Groundworking
• Community Organizing
• Capacity Building
• Mobilization
• Waterway Convergence
Please Watch:
First, sunlight shines onto the Earth’s surface, where it is absorbed and then radiates
back into the atmosphere as heat. In the atmosphere, “greenhouse” gases trap some of this
heat and the rest escapes into space. The more greenhouse gases are in the atmosphere,
the more heat gets trapped.
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Addressing climate change requires adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or
expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial
opportunities. On the other hand, mitigation in the context of climate change pertains to
human intervention that address anthropogenic or human-induced emissions by sources and
removal of all greenhouse gases, including ozone-depleting substances such as carbon
dioxide and carbon monoxide.
The Philippine government created the Climate Change Commission through Republic
Act 9729 otherwise known as the Climate Change Act of 2009.
The Climate Change Commission is the sole policy-making body of the government
tasked to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate action plans of the government related to climate
change. The Commission is also tasked to formulate the National Framework Strategy on
Climate Change and the National Climate Change Action Plan. The National Framework
Strategy on Climate Change is a technical document which is the basis to protect vulnerable
communities from the adverse effects of climate change.
Filipinos, as responsible citizens or stewards, can help reduce Green House Gases
(GHG) emissions which greatly cause climate change. Here are some of the ways:
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Lights. Change your incandescent light bulbs with compact
fluorescent bulbs. Turn off lights when not in use. Whenever possible,
bring natural sunlight into your home.
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Reduce Consumption. Buy less, use less and re-use as much as
possible.
Please Watch:
ASSESSMENTS
Task 1
Instructions:
1. Make clippings of news reports and magazine articles on how air pollution and water
pollution can drastically affect people’s health and the environment.
2. Discuss your findings with family members to get additional input from them. Be ready
to prepare a written report on this.
Task 2
Instructions:
1. Document any kind of improper waste disposal. Take pictures of or videotape the
wrong practice as evidence.
2. List down ways of applying solid waste management as solution to these improper
ways.
Task 3
Instructions:
1. Observe your home environment.
2. List down good ways manifested in your home aligned with reducing greenhouse
emissions.
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REFERENCES
Avelino, Larry. “Water Resources Management.” Environmental Modules for Project ECO-
CORPS, PATLEPAM.
Bucao, Avelina C., et.al. Modules in National Service Training Program-Civic Welfare
Training Service, Copyright 2008
Teves, Lailanie G., et. al. Modules on Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS).
Website References
“CLEAN AIR ACT - Republic Act 8749.” Grupong Sagip. 2003. 26 Apr. 2007;
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/Grupongsagip/cleanair.htm
Mogato, Manny. “Philippines Toughening Air Pollution Standards.” Planet Ark. Reuters
News Service. 23 Nov. 2005. 26 Apr. 2007;
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/33612/story.htm
“Philippines Environment Monitor 2002.” The World Bank Group. Nov. 2002. 23 Apr. 2007;
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEASTASIAPACIFIC/Resources/Philippines2002
“Philippines Toughening Air Pollution Standards.” Planet Ark. Today’s Environment News.
Reuters News Service. 26 Apr. 2007;
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEASTASIAPACIFIC/Resources/Philippines2002.p
df.
The National Water Resources Board of the Philippines. “National Water Resources Board
Strategic Planning and Management of Integrated Water Resources Management in the
Philippines.” 24 Apr. 2007;
http://www.unescap.org/esd/Water/publications/water/wrs/85/08%20WRS-
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