NSTP COMMON MODULE 4:

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Objectives:

At the end of the module, you will be able to:

1. Know the importance of conserving our natural resources and the existing natural
environment;
2. Acquire knowledge of pollution and environmental degradation;
3. Enumerate values for environmental protection;
4. Be actively involved in environmental decision-making;
5. Explain the 7 principles of environment; and
6. Discuss your role in environmental protection and management.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTION

Environmental protection is the practice of protecting the natural environment by individuals,

groups and governments. Its objectives are to conserve natural resources and the existing
natural environment and, where it is possible, to repair damage and reverse trends.

Due to the pressures of overconsumption, population growth and technology, the biophysical
environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been recognized, and
governments have begun placing restraints on activities that cause environmental degradation.
Since the 1960s, environmental movements have created more awareness of the
multiple environmental problems. There is disagreement on the extent of the environmental
impact of human activity, so protection measures are occasionally debated.

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 problems stem from two
main categories of human activities:

(a) Resources utilization at unsustainable levels and contamination of the environment through
pollution and
(b) Discharge of wastes at levels beyond the earth’s and environment’s capacity to absorb them
or render them harmless which results in ecological damage and degradation of the
environment. 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 has become one of the foremost concerns of the world community.
International concern for environmental protection and management has gained momentum
with Stockholm Declaration in 1972. It is considered as Magna Carta of environmental
protection and sustainable development. Then a series of global efforts have been
undertaken internationally for protection of the environment. Hence, environmental
protection has become not only local, regional, or national importance but also a global
concern. Over the past several decades, growing public awareness regarding threats to the
environment, informed by warnings from scientists, has led to demands that law protects
 the natural surroundings on which human well-being depends. Under growing pressure
from national and international public opinion, governments began to demonstrate concern
over the general state of the environment introduced legislation to combat pollution of
inland waters, ocean, and air.

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENT

1. Everything is connected to everything else. (Ang lahat ng bagay ay magkakaugnay.)

In an ecosystem, all biotic and abiotic components interact with each other to ensure
that the system is sustained. Any intrusion from outside may cause an imbalance and
collapsing of the system.
2. All forms of life are important. (Ang lahat na may buhay ay mahalaga.)
Each organism plays a fundamental role in nature. It is easy to appreciate the beautiful
organisms like butterflies, especially if one knows their important role in pollination. The
giant ones like elephants, the whales, the alligators – are the ones we respect mixed
with fear or wonder and the products they produce. But when it comes to unlovely,
squirmy, and troublesome creatures, this principle is unusually overlooked.

3. Everything must go somewhere. (Ang lahat ng bagay ay may patutunguhan.)

Everything ends up elsewhere. It doesn’t just disappear. For example, if you throw a
piece of candy wrapper away, it disappears from sight but does not cease to exist. It
ends up elsewhere. Gases released in the atmosphere may spread but it will end up a
component of the atmosphere and can be brought down by rains. Any particular type of
waste should always be a concern to us. It may be a pollutant or a resource depending
on certain factors. Be a responsible person and throw your trash in a proper place.

4. Ours is a finite earth. (Ang kalikasan ay may hangganan.)

Earth’s resources can be classified as either renewable or non-renewable. Renewable
resources are those that can be easily replenished by natural cycles (e.g. water, air,
plants, animals) while non-renewable resources are those that cannot be replenished
through natural cycles. Although renewable resources can be replenished, it is important
to understand that these are renewable only if they are not overused and not destroyed
from factors such as pollution.

5. Nature knows best. (Ang kalikasan ang mas nakakaalam.)

This is the most basic principle of all the principles. We humans have to understand
nature and follow its rules, because if we want to ensure a continuous and steady supply
of resources, one must not go against natural processes. If we, humans, caused any
disruption in the cycle of nature, this can bring imbalance to our ecosystem.

6. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s creation. (Ang kalikasan ay maganda
at tayo ang tagapangasiwa ng lahat na nilikha ng Diyos.)
Among all creatures, humans are the only ones made in God’s image and have been
given the right to have dominion over all His creations. Being the most intelligent and
gifted with reason, humans are capable of manipulating creation to their own advantage.
Yet, creation exists not to be ravaged or abused but to be taken care of. Humans cannot
exist without nature. They are co-natural with the environment they live in. If the
environment they live in is destroyed, with it will go Homo Sapiens.

7. Everything changes. (Ang lahat ay nagbabago.)

 The environment is constantly changing. Organisms also develop through time.
However, with our current technology, we have affected these natural changes that
these changes now cause problematic events to us. Humans should rethink their
relationship with the environment. Because what we believe that is beneficial to the
environment often turn out to be catastrophic.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
Chain Saw Act of 2002, Republic Act No. 9175
The state shall therefore regulate the ownership, possession, sale, transfer, importation and/or
use of chain saws to prevent them from being used in illegal logging or unauthorized clearing of
forests.
Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act of 2002, Republic Act No. 9168
This act shall be known and cited as the “Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act of 2002.” The
state recognizes that an effective intellectual property system in general and the development of
new plant variety in particular is vital in attaining food security for the country.
Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Republic Act No. 9147
Otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, is an act providing
for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats, appropriating funds
therefor and for other purposes.
Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Republic Act No. 9003
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 Therefor, and for Other Purposes.
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, Republic Act No. 8749
Otherwise Known as The Philippine Clean Air Act, it is a comprehensive air quality management
policy and program which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos.
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, Republic Act No. 8550
An Act Providing for the Development, Management And Conservation of the Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources, Integrating All Laws Pertinent Thereto, and for Other Purposes.
The Water Crisis Act of 1995, Republic Act No. 8041
This Act Shall Be Shown As the "National Water Crisis Act Of 1995."
High-Value Crops Development Act Of 1995, Republic Act No. 7900
An Act to Promote the Production, Processing, Marketing and Distribution of High-Valued Crops,
Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.
National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992, Republic Act No. 7586
primarily aims “to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual
existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of a comprehensive system
of integrated protected areas within the classification of national park as provided for in the
Constitution.”
Toxic Substances & Hazardous & Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990
Republic Act No. 6969
To control, supervise and regulate activities on toxic chemicals and hazardous waste.
National Water & Air Pollution Control Commission Act, Republic Act No. 3931
The Act declares as national policy "to maintain reasonable standards of purity for
the waters and of this country with their utilization for domestic, agricultural,
industrial and other legitimate purposes".
Prohibition Against Cutting of Trees in Public Roads, Plazas, etc., Republic Act No. 3571
An Act to Prohibit the Cutting, Destroying or Injuring of Planted or Growing Trees, Flowering Plants and
Shrubs or Plants of Scenic Value Along Public Roads, in Plazas, Parks, School Premises or
 in Any Other Public Pleasure Ground
Withdrawal of Lead in Gasoline, Presidential Decree No. 2001
Establishing a Program to Gradually Withdraw the Use of Tetraethyl Lead
in Gasoline and, As Substitute Therefor, to Use Ethanol
Environmental Impact Statement System, Presidential Decree No. 1586
It aims to protect the environment despite the increasing demand of
natural resources and development to attain sustainability.
Philippine Environment Code, Presidential Decree No. 1152
The Philippine Environmental Code is a body of laws settling forth management policies and
prescribing quality standards for the environment in its totality. It has declared two-fold policies
relative to our natural resources
Philippine Environmental Policy, Presidential Decree No. 1151
The purpose of this decree is to formulate an intensive, integrated program of environmental
protection through the requirement of environmental impact assessments and statements. Every
individual shall be responsible in contributing to the preservation and enhancement of the
Philippine environment. As provided for in Section 4, all agencies of the national government,
including government-owned or controlled corporations, as well as private corporations, firms
and entities, shall prepare an environmental impact statement for every project which may
significantly affect the quality of the environment.
The Water Code of the Philippines, Presidential Decree No. 1067
The underlying principles of this code are: a. All waters belong to the State. The utilization,
exploitation, development, conservation and protection of water resources shall be subject to the
control and regulation of the government through the National Water Resources Council,
hereinafter referred to as the Council.
National Pollution Control Commission, Presidential Decree No. 984
Presidential Decree No. 984 Providing for the Revision of Republic Act No. 3931, Commonly
Known as the Pollution Control Law, and for Other Purposes.
Marine Pollution Decree of 1976, Presidential Decree No. 979
Providing for the Revision of Presidential Decree No. 600
Governing Marine Pollution
Code on Sanitation of the Philippines, Presidential Decree No. 856
Empower the Department of Health with the following powers and functions: Extend maximum
health services to the people in rural areas and provide medical care to those
who cannot afford it by reason of poverty.
Penalty for Improper Garbage Disposal, Presidential Decree No. 825
Providing Penalty for Improper Disposal of Garbage and Other Forms of
Uncleanliness and for Other Purposes.
Pertaining to the Preservation, Beautification, Improvement and Gainful Utilization of the Pasig
River, Providing for the Regulation and Control of Pollution of the River and Its Banks in Order to
Enhance Its Development, Thereby Maximizing Its Utilization for Socio-Economic Purposes.
Presidential Decree No. 274
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 54
The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission is hereby created to ensure that the waterway is
rehabilitated to its historically pristine condition conducive to transport, recreation and tourism.
An Act to Protect Wild Flowers and Plants in the Philippine Islands and to Prescribe Conditions
Under Which They May be Collected, Kept, Sold, Exported, and for Other Purposes.
Act No. 3983
Environmental Impact Statement System - Areas/Types of Projects ,
Proclamation No. 2146
 Proclaiming Certain Areas and Types of Projects as Environmentally Critical and
Within the Scope of the Environmental Impact
Regulations for the Conservation of Marine Turtles
Bureau of Forest Development Circular No. 08
These rules restrict the issuing of new permits for collecting, gathering, utilizing,
possessing, of marine turtles, turtle eggs and its by-products in specified areas.

WATER SANITATION AND CONSERVATION

Water sanitation refers to public health conditions related to clean drinking water and adequate
treatment and disposal of human excreta and sewage. A sanitation system includes the capture,
storage, transport, treatment and disposal or reuse of human excreta and wastewater.

While substantial progress has been made in increasing access to clean drinking water and
sanitation, billions of people – mostly in rural areas – still lack these basic services.
Worldwide, one in three people do not have access to safe drinking water, two out of five people
do not have a basic hand-washing facility with soap and water, and more than 673 million
people still practice open defecation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of sanitation, hygiene and
adequate access to clean water for preventing and containing diseases. Hand hygiene saves
lives. According to the World Health Organization, handwashing is one of the most effective
actions you can take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including the
COVID-19 virus. Yet billions of people still lack safe water sanitation, and funding is inadequate.

Availability and access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services is fundamental to
fighting the virus and preserving the health and well-being of millions. COVID-19 will not be
stopped without access to safe water for people living in vulnerability, UN experts said.

The impacts of COVID-19 could be considerably higher on the urban poor living in slums,
without access to clean water. UN-Habitat is working with partners to facilitate access to running
water and handwashing in informal settlements.

UNICEF is urgently appealing for funding and support to reach more girls and boys with basic
water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, especially those children who are cut off from safe water
because they live in remote areas, or in places where water is untreated or polluted, or because
they are without a home, living in a slum or on the street.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
is adjusting its WASH services to prevent the spread of the disease. This includes continued
support to affected, at-risk, low-capacity and fragile countries to secure WASH services and
infection prevention control in health facilities.

Facts and Figures

 1 in 4 health care facilities lacks basic water services.
 3 in 10 people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and 6 in 10 people
lack access to safely managed sanitation facilities.
 At least 892 million people continue to practice open defecation.
 Women and girls are responsible for water collection in 80 per cent of
households without access to water on premises.
  Between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of the global population using an improved
drinking water source has increased from 76 per cent to 90 per cent.
 Water scarcity affects more than 40 per cent of the global population and is projected to
rise. Over 1.7 billion people are currently living in river basins where water use exceeds
recharge.
 2.4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services, such as toilets or latrines.
 More than 80 per cent of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into
rivers or sea without any pollution removal..
 Each day, nearly 1,000 children die due to preventable water and sanitation-related
diarrheal diseases.
 Approximately 70 per cent of all water abstracted from rivers, lakes and aquifers is used
for irrigation.
 Floods and other water-related disasters account for 70 per cent of all deaths related to
natural disasters.

Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies and activities to sustainably manage
the natural resource of fresh water, to protect the hydrosphere, and to meet the current and
future human demand. Population, household size and growth and affluence all affect how
much water is used. Factors such as climate change have increased pressures on natural water
resources especially in manufacturing and agricultural irrigation. Many countries have already
implemented policies aimed at water conservation, with much success.

The goals of water conservation efforts include:

 Ensuring the availability of water for future generations where the withdrawal
of freshwater from an ecosystem does not exceed its natural replacement rate.
 Energy conservation as water pumping, delivery and wastewater treatment facilities
consume a significant amount of energy. In some regions of the world over 15% of
total electricity consumption is devoted to water management.
 Habitat conservation where minimizing human water usage helps to preserve freshwater
habitats for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl, but also water quality.

Strategies

The key activities to conserve water are as follows:

 Any beneficial reduction in water loss, use and waste of resources.
 Avoiding any damage to water quality.
 Improving water management practices that reduce the use or enhance the beneficial use
of water.
 Rainwater harvesting: Digging ponds, lakes, canals, expanding the water reservoir, and
installing rain water catching ducts and filtration systems on homes are different methods of
harvesting rain water. Many people in many countries keep clean containers so they can
boil it and drink it, which is useful to supply water to the needy. Harvested and filtered rain
water can be used for toilets, home gardening, lawn irrigation, and small scale agriculture.
 Protecting groundwater resources: When precipitation occurs, some infiltrates the soil and
goes underground. Water in this saturation zone is called groundwater. Contamination of
groundwater causes the groundwater water supply to not be able to be used as a resource
of fresh drinking water and the natural regeneration of contaminated groundwater can take
years to replenish. Some examples of potential sources of groundwater contamination
include storage tanks, septic systems, uncontrolled hazardous waste, landfills, atmospheric
contaminants, chemicals, and road salts. Contamination of groundwater decreases the
 replenishment of available freshwater so taking preventative measures by protecting
groundwater resources from contamination is an important aspect of water conservation.
 Practicing sustainable methods of utilizing groundwater resources: Groundwater flows due
to gravity and eventually discharges into streams. Excess pumping of groundwater leads to
a decrease in groundwater levels and if continued it can exhaust the resource. Ground and
surface waters are connected and overuse of groundwater can reduce and, in extreme
examples, diminish the water supply of lakes, rivers, and streams. In coastal regions, over
pumping groundwater can increase saltwater intrusion which results in the contamination of
groundwater water supply. Sustainable use of groundwater is essential in water
conservation.

A fundamental component to water conservation strategy is communication and education

outreach of different water programs. Developing communication that educates science to land
managers, policy makers, farmers, and the general public is another important strategy utilized
in water conservation. Communication of the science of how water systems work is an important
aspect when creating a management plan to conserve that system and is often used for
ensuring the right management plan to be put into action.

Social Solutions

Water conservation programs involved in social solutions are typically initiated at the local level,
by either municipal water utilities or regional governments. Common strategies include
public outreach campaigns, tiered water rates (charging progressively higher prices as water
use increases), or restrictions on outdoor water use such as lawn watering and car
washing. Cities in dry climates often require or encourage the installation
of xeriscaping or natural landscaping in new homes to reduce outdoor water usage. Most urban
outdoor water use in California is residential, illustrating a reason for outreach to households as
well as businesses.

One fundamental conservation goal is universal metering. The prevalence of residential water
metering varies significantly worldwide. Recent studies have estimated that water supplies are
metered in less than 30% of households. Although individual water meters have often been
considered impractical in homes with private wells or in multifamily buildings, the
US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that metering alone can reduce consumption by
20 to 40 percent. In addition to raising consumer awareness of their water use, metering is also
an important way to identify and localize water leakage. Water metering would benefit society, in
the long run, it is proven that water metering increases the efficiency of the entire water system,
as well as help unnecessary expenses for individuals for years to come. One would be unable
to waste water unless they are willing to pay the extra charges, this way the water department
would be able to monitor water usage by the public, domestic and manufacturing services.

Some researchers have suggested that water conservation efforts should be primarily directed
at farmers, in light of the fact that crop irrigation accounts for 70% of the world's fresh water use.
The agricultural sector of most countries is important both economically and politically, and
water subsidies are common. Conservation advocates have urged removal of all subsidies to
force farmers to grow more water-efficient crops and adopt less wasteful irrigation techniques.

New technology poses a few new options for consumers; features such as full flush and half
flush when using a toilet are trying to make a difference in water consumption and waste. It is
also possible to use/"pollute" the water in stages (keeping use in flush toilets for last), hereby
allowing more use of the water for various tasks within a same cycle (before it needs to be
purified again, which can also be done in-situ).

Also available are modern shower heads that help reduce wasting water: Old shower heads are
said to use 5-10 gallons per minute, while new fixtures available use 2.5 gallons per minute and
offer equal water coverage. Another method is to recycle the water of the shower directly, by
means a semi-closed system which features a pump and filter. Besides recycling water, it also
reuses the heat of the water (which would otherwise be lost).

Household Applications

Contrary to the popular view that the most effective way to save water is to curtail water-using
behavior (e.g., by taking shorter showers), experts suggest the most efficient way is replacing
toilets and retrofitting washers.

Water-saving technology for the home includes:

 Low-flow shower heads sometimes called energy-efficient shower heads as they also use
less energy
 Low-flush toilets, composting toilets and incinerating toilets. Composting toilets have a
dramatic impact in the developed world, as conventional Western flush toilets use large
volumes of water.
 Dual flush toilets include two buttons or handles to flush different levels of water. Dual flush
toilets use up to 67% less water than conventional toilets.
 Faucet aerators, which break water flow into fine droplets to maintain "wetting effectiveness"
while using less water. An additional benefit is that they reduce splashing while washing
hands and dishes.
 Raw water flushing where toilets use sea water or non-purified water (i.e. graywater)
 Wastewater reuse or recycling systems, allowing:
o Reuse of graywater for flushing toilets or watering gardens
o Recycling of wastewater through purification at a water treatment plant
 Rainwater harvesting
 High-efficiency clothes washers
 Weather-based irrigation controllers
 Garden hose nozzles that shut off the water when it is not being used, instead of letting a
hose run.
 Low flow taps in wash basins
 Swimming pool covers that reduce evaporation and can warm pool water to reduce water,
energy and chemical costs
 Automatic faucet is a water conservation faucet that eliminates water waste at the faucet. It
automates the use of faucets without the use of hands.

Commercial Applications

Many water-saving devices (such as low-flush toilets) that are useful in homes can also be
useful for business water saving. Other water-saving technology for businesses includes:
 Waterless urinals (also can be installed in schools)
 Waterless car washes
 Infrared or foot-operated taps, which can save water by using short bursts of water for
rinsing in a kitchen or bathroom
 Pressurized waterbrooms, which can be used instead of a hose to clean sidewalks
 X-ray film processor re-circulation systems
 Cooling tower conductivity controllers
 Water-saving steam sterilizers, for use in hospitals and health care facilities
 Rain water harvesting
 Water to Water heat exchangers.

ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT

You constitute a large part of the world’s population and you will have to live longer with the
consequences of current environmental decisions than will your elders. Future generations will
also be affected by your decisions and the extent to which you have addressed concerns such
as the depletion of resources, biodiversity loss, and long-lived radioactive wastes.

You can play an active role in protecting and improving the environment. You can change their
lifestyle and how it affects the environment, make your homes, schools and youth organizations
more environmentally friendly by adopting environmentally friendly practices, recycling of

different materials as well as preserving resources such as water and electricity. Your
engagement in environmental protection not only creates direct impact on changing your
behaviors and attitudes, but possibly influence your parents, relatives and families.

You are the back bone of the nation. You can change the future of the society with your well-
being and courageous behavior.