LO3. Convey Inefficient and Ineffective Environmental Practices

Information Sheet 3.1: Appropriate Personnel to Address the Environmental Hazards

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

The Department is the primary agency responsible for the conservation, management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources, specifically forest and grazing lands, mineral resources, including those in reservation and watershed areas, and lands of the public domain, as well as the licensing and regulation of all natural resources as may be provided for by law in order to ensure equitable sharing of the benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of the present and future generations of Filipinos.

To accomplish this mandate, the Department shall be guided by the following objectives:

  1. Assure the availability and sustainability of the country’s natural resources through judicious use and systematic restoration or replacement, whenever possible;  
  2. Increase the productivity of natural resources in order to meet the demands for forest, mineral, and land resources if a growing population;  
  3. Enhance the contribution of natural resources for achieving national economic and social development;  
  4. Promote equitable access to natural resources by the different sectors of the population; and  
  5. Conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations.

Environmental Organizations in the Philippines

1. World Wide Fund for Nature

The name of the organization says it all. Their projects don’t only focus on food, water, and climate, but on wildlife as well. In fact, they exert effort to ensure the survival of the rarest and most endangered species in the country. Also part of their aim is to transform lives by providing livelihood programs.

2. Waves for Water

Imagine the country running out of water – a drought would take over leading to a shrinking food supply, damaged habitat, crop damage, and more. If the thought of this makes you cringe, then you may want to work with Waves for Water. The organization works with leaders and partners to provide clean and potable water for communities here and abroad.

3. Save Philippine Seas

Our country is surrounded by seas. It’s only apt for us to protect them so they can protect us from possible harm. Part of the advocasea of Save Philippine Seas is to promote community empowerment, environmental education, and shark conservation. The org also initiates citizen-led programs to empower Pinoys towards behavioral change.

4. Earth Island Institute

Earth Island Institute is an international org that jumpstarts programs focused on hyperlocal and grassroots environmentalism. Their local arm implements the International Monitoring Program (IMP) which ensures that the country’s top tuna companies conform to industry standards and practices. The organization also holds campaigns against dolphin captivity and killings.

5. Greenpeace Philippines

The main goal of Greenpeace Philippines is to protect natural landscapes, species, and more from environmental threats such as perilous waste imports, coal projects, and illegal logging. Aside from promoting ecological farming, this volunteer-based group also holds campaigns against land, air, and water pollution.

6. Haribon Foundation

Haribon Foundation uses their widely known platform to save different bird species and to conserve their habitats as they empower and educate people. They also partner with various groups and local government units to conserve biodiversity.

7. Rare

Rare is an international organization that promotes campaigns focused on sustainable fishing and resource management. They work with local groups to educate people on the best and proper fishing practices. Through their efforts, we can all hope for healthier seas and bountiful oceans.

8. Mother Earth Foundation

Garbage is among the top enemies of nature. To address this alarming concern, Mother Earth Foundation campaigns zero-waste advocacy to local authorities. They hold programs in schools and barangays to promote environmental education and proper waste management.

9. Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation

Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation works to restore natural habitats and aims to educate the public on how to protect wildlife from feasible harm. So far, they have completed programs to conserve rare species such as Philippine bats, Calamian deer, and cloud rats.

10. Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines

With its strategic location, the Philippines could be considered the heart of marine biodiversity in the world. We have quite a number of sea creature species that can be extinct soon if we don’t act on it today. Thankfully, Marine Wildlife Watch exerts strong efforts to protect these creatures from illegal trading and capture.

Information Sheet 3.2: Environmental Corrective Actions

Environmental Policy and its Enforcement

Article II, Section 16 of the Philippine Constitution (1987) recognises that the people have a right to a “balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature” separate from general civil, economic and political rights.  Recognising that the right is “intergenerational”, economic policy is also built around the concept of sustainable development.     

With respect to utilization of resources, the Philippines follows the Regalian Doctrine, according to which all natural resources, including all sources of potential energy, are owned by the state.  However, the state may allow exploration, development, and utilization generally by citizens of the Philippines under its full control and supervision. 

The DENR is composed of six staff sectoral bureaus: (a) Forest Management Bureau; (b) Lands Management Bureau; (c) Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau; (d) Environmental Management Bureau (“EMB”); (e) Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau; and (f) Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.

Local government units (“LGUs”) likewise have the power to administer, manage and implement community-based projects concerning the conservation and utilization of natural resources found within their territorial jurisdiction, subject only to the supervision, control and review of the DENR.

Finally, courts can be actively involved in the enforcement of environmental laws given their powers under the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases (“RPEC”).

8 Corrective Actions for Your Environmental Monitoring Program

With this in mind, here are eight fundamental corrective actions that should be part of any EMP:

  1. Communicate & Confirm Locations – Confirm positive locations and communicate the results to key stakeholders, including internal employees and external parties when necessary. Different protocols should be developed according to different zones.
  2. Act Immediately – If a pathogen positive has been detected and confirmed, stop the operation of the implicated production line and determine the disposition of the impacted product.
  3. Assemble – Bring together critical components. These include people from departments such as Quality/Food Safety, Operations, Maintenance/Engineering, Laboratory, Corporate/Plant, and Crisis Management, as well as relevant historical data and departmental or program data.
  4. Analyze (Root Cause) – Review the history of the affected location and any flow diagram or visual mapping including all testing inputs and outputs. Then, map this information to statements from the team on the floor, any visual inspection information collected, and past corrective actions that may have been executed to determine the source of the contaminant.
  5. Remediate – Address the situation utilizing predetermined policies or standards after root cause analysis. Corrective actions might include breaking down lines, visual inspections, sanitation, additional swabs, and analyzing traffic patterns.
  6. Verify – Once corrective actions are complete, confirm that cleaning and sanitation were effectively performed through additional environmental testing.
  7. Review and adjust – Use the team’s findings to improve processes, sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), the overall EMP, and plant operations.
  8. Document – Be sure to document everything. The incident and corrective actions may provide invaluable information to assist with future occurrences.