Republic of the Philippines

PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Puerto Princesa City
College of Sciences

Names: Tabangay, Selah Rose

Tulali, Tracy B.
Course & Year: BS Environmental Science 3-B1
Course code/title: EnS 106-Environmental Management
Class schedule: MTh (4:00 PM-5:30PM)
Instructor: Sir Azareel Amon Alvarez
Location: Araceli, Palawan

DESCRIBING THE ENVIRONMENT

The environment refers to the

surroundings in which living organisms exist and
interact with each other and their physical
surroundings. It includes all the external factors
that affect an organism’s survival, growth, and
development, such as climate, weather, soil,
water, and living things like plants and animals.
There is physical environment and biological
environment. Physical environment includes
Photo 1.1: Hybrid map – combines high resolution satellite
factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and images with detailed street map overlay.
sound, while biological environment includes
living organisms and their interactions with each
other and their physical surroundings. The
environment can also be affected by human
activities, such as pollution, deforestation, and
climate change, which can have a significant
impact on the health and well-being of living
organisms.

Photo 1.2: 2D Map – view of the landscape from above,

the most common map view.

Explore around the northern part of Palawan

and we will see the undisturbed beauty of our
natural environment located in Araceli,
Palawan. Araceli is a 4th-class municipality in
the province of Palawan, Philippines. It is
situated on the northern half of Dumaran
Island. The island municipality is renowned
Photo 1.3: Terrain map - shows physical features of the for its breathtaking beaches, crystal-clear
landscape, contours let determine the height of mountains and
depth of the ocean bottom. waters, and lush green mountains. Araceli is
also endowed with a wealth of resources,
including means of livelihood, raw materials,
opportunities for recreational, cultural, and
social activities. We, the researchers, have
chosen Araceli, Palawan as the focal point for
an environmental quality assessment, aiming
to observe the community’s components and
Environmental key parameters that have come into focus.
Key Parameters
Component The researchers will give the summary of the
environmental quality assessment,
 Air Observing the area of the community,
recommendations to sustain,we,limit,
the researchers,
control,
have concludedand improve the quality of life in Araceli, an
that the community still possesses
excellent airPalawan,
Photo 1.4: ECAN Zone Map – shows the Environmentally
quality. Having a vast
and the maparea of forest
where the and a vast
island
Critical Areas Network in Araceli, Palawan. numbers ofmunicipality
trees that iscan be
located.seen in the municipality is
(Source: Araceli MENRO)
 already a factor to conclude that the area has a good quality of
air. Additionally, the island is surrounded by the seas and
oceans that produce at least 50% of the oxygen here on Earth,
that only is a cause why the air in the area is still fresh and the
breeze seems cold.

 Water Examining the area of Araceli, Palawan, we, the researchers,

have seen a lot of wells and water pumps in the community.
Almost all of the households have their own well in their area,
and with that we, the researchers, concluded that the
community is rich and has a huge amount of groundwater. The
water from wells and water pumps serve as their source for
cleaning, cooking, washing dishes and clothes, and for
everyday use. In barangay Tinintinan, there are some source
of water that is used for drinking, and rather than that Araceli
also has water refilling stations for a more clean and safe
drinking water. Proceeding to the water that is surrounding the
island, the seas and oceans is also a source for the survival of
people living in the community. They get their foods and
source of income from the marine life legally.

 Flora and Fauna Upon studying the area, we, the researchers, have discovered
that Araceli is a biodiverse community. Rather than the vast
area of forest that the island municipality has, it is also rich in
wildlife species and wildlife resources. One of the endemic
species here in Palawan that can be seen in Araceli is the
Balayong tree situated in the area of catholic church in and the
old municipal hall in barangay Poblacion.

Wildlife species that are considered as threatened can also be

found in Araceli like the pangolin or balintong, wild-bearded pig
or baboy ramo, bisugo or threadfin bream, and mameng or
humphead wrasse. Another abundant crab species here in
Araceli is the curatcha.

 Land Assessing the land area of the community, we, the

researchers, have assumed that the soil quality of the area is
good. Having the view of healthy and undisturbed forests
helped us to conclude that rather than the good quality of soil,
the land of this community has a big amount of nutrient
content. Araceli is actually known for farming and for producing
fruit-bearing trees like mango, cashew, banana, coconut, star
apple, and sugar fruit or also known as atis.

For erosion potential area, there are some since there are
areas and mostly forests that are located in elevated locations.
Additionally, Kaingin is also a usual thing in many barangays
situated in Araceli.

Next, for aesthetics and orderliness there are some Basakan

or rice field that can be found in the community. These rice
fields is not only serving us rice and crops to eat but also a
fascinating sight to see. Araceli also has this “Gasa Sea Park”,
a camping site located between a forest and a coastal area
that has mangrove forests and is popular due to the sunrise
and sunset view that can be seen from the park.
 Minerals, Fossil Reviewing the history of the community gave us, the
fuels researchers, a clean data and conclusion about the minerals
that have been found in the community. The community has
not been engaged in any mining or mineral extraction
activities. However, that does not mean that there is no
mineral reserves in the area. On the other hand, the
 community is well-known for having the abundance of fossil
fuels like coal and natural gas. Coal is used for cooking, home
and commercial heating, and is also a source of income in the
community. Natural gas, as expected, is a fossil fuel forms
from the plants, animals, and microorganisms that lived
millions of years ago.

 Climate and Natural Araceli is a community that rarely experience extreme weather
hazards events however, year 2021 typhoon Odette cause vast and
extreme damages in the community not only in the people
living there but also for the wildlife including plants, trees, and
animals, properties, infrastructures, and houses. Even the
oldest tree in the municipality that aged above 100 years has
been destroyed by the typhoon.

In Araceli, areas that are prone to natural hazards are the

coastal area situated in barangay poblacion where people are
residing.

Mangrove forests in Araceli are one of the areas with certain

climate characteristics or change projection. Except the fact
that people are cutting mangrove trees for them to build a
house, the mangrove species abundance has a big difference
than before the typhoon Odette. Up until now, the mangroves
are still struggling to have the same healthy environment and
the same amount of quantities they have before.

The effect of climate change is also very visible in some places

and areas in Araceli. Examples are the small rivers that has a
clear and clean water stock before like the one located in
barangay Sto. Niño. Falls are also affected, they only
experience water when it is rainy seasons like the falls in
barangay Baing and Maraquit island.

 People and Culture As of year 2020, the total population of Araceli is 14, 434. The
population density of Araceli is computed at 71 inhabitants per
square kilometer or 183 inhabitants per square mile.

Araceli is also known for its culture. The people are indeed
religious and have a strong faith. The Nuestra Señora de
Araceli is the original sculpture that has been brought by
Spanish people around 1800. This is where the word Araceli
meaning “Altar of the Sky” came from and is also the reason
why the island municipality is called Araceli.

For development activities, only recently year 2022 a hospital

has been built between the island of Araceli and Dumaran. It
has been a great help for people to keep their safety and
maintain their health. Also, year 2020 a new municipal hall has
been built due to the extreme cause of the typhoon Odette in
the community. Another, is the Araceli port that is very new. It
was only built last month, September 2023. It is not only for
people living there but also for tourists attraction.

 Built-up areas, The community is a rural area. So, as expected, there will be
Urban centers, only few structures that can be seen in the area. However,
Living spaces despite of being considered as a rural community, Araceli has
two dams that impound or store water, wastewater for sever
reasons such as flood control, human water supply, irrigation,
livestock water supply, and pollution control. These two dams
are located in barangay Tinintinan and sitio Saligsiguin.
SUMMARY:

Araceli is one of the unrecognized island municipalities here in Palawan because

of its small land area and small population. Araceli is a 4 th class municipality that covers
roughly the northern half of Dumaran Island, with 13 barangays. According to the 2020
census, it has a population of 14,434 people, with 9,445 registered voters as of July
2021. Having the undisturbed beauty of the natural environment, it is very essential and
crucial to study not only the geographic location of the island municipality but also the
people, wildlife, and many more undiscovered components that can be found in the
community. After this environmental quality assessment, we, the researchers, have
discovered and found that Araceli is indeed a rich island from the crystal-clear water
that surrounds the area, up until the tip of the forests in this island municipality.
Doing this activity made us, the researchers, realized how important and crucial it is to
asses the quality of our environment. Environmental Quality Assessment really is
important. It helps in understanding the state of the environment and its various
components. By assessing environmental quality, we can determine the extent of
pollution, degradation, and other environmental issues. This information is crucial for
policymakers or lawmakers, scientists, and other stakeholders to develop effective
strategies and policies for environmental protection and conservation. Environmental
quality assessment provides valuable data for monitoring and evaluating the
effectiveness of environmental management practices and policies. It helps in
identifying trends, patterns, and changes in environmental conditions over time. This
information is essential for making informed decisions about resource allocation,
prioritizing conservation efforts, and implementing corrective measures where
necessary. Environmental quality assessment plays a vital role in safeguarding human
health. Many environmental pollutants have adverse effects on human health, ranging
from respiratory problems to chronic diseases and even cancer. By assessing the
quality of air, water, soil, and other environmental media, we can identify potential risks
to human health and take appropriate actions to mitigate them.
In conclusion, environmental quality assessment is important for understanding the
state of the environment, monitoring and evaluating environmental management
practices, safeguarding human health, promoting sustainable development, ensuring
compliance with regulations, conserving biodiversity, and raising public awareness. It is
a crucial tool for effective environmental protection and conservation.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

It is imperative to address the critical issues facing the municipality of Araceli,

Palawan across various dimensions, including air quality, water resources, flora and
fauna, land management, climate resilience, community well-being, and cultural
preservation. Following a comprehensive evaluation, a set of recommendations has
been formulated to mitigate these adverse effects. These recommendations necessitate
a unified effort from the entire community to effectively reduce the detrimental impact of
environmental issues in Araceli. The key recommendations are as follows:

 Education through Community Engagement Activities: Initiating

educational programs and community engagement activities to raise awareness
about environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices is crucial.
 These efforts can empower residents to take proactive steps in conserving their
surroundings.

 Implementing Stringent Regulations with Associated Penalties:

Enforcing strict environmental regulations, coupled with appropriate penalties for
non-compliance, is vital to deter harmful activities and ensure accountability.

 Organizing Regular Community Clean-Up Events: Hosting periodic

community clean-up events fosters a sense of environmental responsibility
among residents and contributes to a cleaner and healthier environment.

 Investing in Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Building and maintaining

wastewater treatment facilities is essential for safeguarding water quality and
protecting aquatic ecosystems.

 Developing a Long-Term Coastal Conservation Plan Involving All

Stakeholders: Creating a comprehensive, long-term plan for coastal
conservation that engages all relevant stakeholders is essential for preserving
the area's unique ecosystem.

 Monitoring and Promptly Addressing Violations: Establishing a system

to monitor environmental violations and taking swift corrective action is critical for
ensuring compliance with regulations.

In conclusion, these measures represent a holistic approach in addressing the

environmental challenges in Araceli, Palawan. To achieve lasting change and mitigate
the adverse effects on air, water, flora and fauna, land, minerals and fossil fuels, climate
and natural hazards, people and culture, collaboration with environmental organizations
can provide valuable expertise and resources to address complex environmental
challenges and the active participation of the entire community is imperative. By working
together, Araceli can take significant steps towards a more sustainable and
environmentally responsible future.
PHOTOS RELATED TO THE STUDY:

 Water

These photos of wells are taken from the households of

Araceli, Palawan and the coastal area located in
Poblacion, Araceli, Palawan.
 Flora and Fauna

Photos that can be seen here are the photos po

Balayong and Curatcha.

Source: Facebook

 Land
 Minerals, Fossil fuels These photos show the view that
can be seen in Gasa Sea Park.

Source: Facebook

This photo is a photo of a natural gas, coal, that can

also be found in Araceli, Palawan.

Source: Nasdaq.com

 Climate and Natural Hazards

These photos are the old municipal hall and covered

gym of Araceli, Palawan that has been destroyed by
the typhoon Odette.

 People and Culture

These photos show the Catholic Church and the

Nuestra Señora de Araceli of Araceli, Palawan.

 Built-up Areas, Urban Centers, Living Spaces

These photos show the new municipal hall and

new covered gym of Araceli, Palawan. Photos
below are the new buildings in Araceli National
High School.
REFERENCES:

 Palawan Central. (n.d.). Palawan Central - Explore - Read.

https://www.palawancentral.com/explore/read/50/
 PhilAtlas. (n.d.). Araceli, Palawan, Philippines: The LGU of Araceli, Palawan.
https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/mimaropa/palawan/araceli.html
 PPSThane. (n.d.). Environmental Quality Monitoring & Assessment.
https://www.ppsthane.com/environmental-quality-monitoring-assessment
 Asian Development Bank. (n.d.). Environmental Assessment Guidelines.
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/32635/files/environmental-
assessment-guidelines.pdf
 MapHill. (n.d.). Map of Araceli, Palawan, Region 4, Philippines.
http://www.maphill.com/philippines/region-4/palawan/araceli/
 Palawan News. (n.d.). Araceli. https://palawan-news.com/araceli/