Beaux Tristan L. Antonio
Natural Resources in the Philippines
Bodies of Water
The Philippines boast of many different kinds of natural water forms, such as bays, rivers,
lakes falls, gulfs, straits, and swamps. Because it is made up of islands, the country's coastline,
if laid end-to-end, would measure around 17.5 thousand kilometers. The Philippines is blessed
with excellent natural harbors for ports like Manila Bay. Other excellent harbors with port
potentials are found in Ilocos, Pangasinan, Visayas, and Mindanao. The three largest rivers
in the country are the Cagayan River in Northern Luzon, the Rio Grande de Mindanao, and
the Agusan River, also in Mindanao. Also noteworthy in terms of size are the Agno, Pasig,
Angat Pampanga, and Bicol rivers in Luzon. Most popular among tourist is the famous
underground river in Palawan. Aside from rivers, the country also abounds with lakes. Easily
the most famous is the heart-shaped Laguna de Bay. Other famous lakes are Taal in
Batangas, Sampaloc in Laguna, Buhi and Bulusan in Bicol, Naujan in Mindoro oriental, and
Lanao and Mainit in Mindanao. Generating power for the Nation’s growth are the magnificent
waterfalls that serve as tourist attractions, as well. The biggest is waterfalls is the Maria
Cristina falls, it can be found in the North Western part of Lanao province in Mindanao, while
the most popular is Pagsanjan falls in Laguna, where tourist came in droves.
Natural Resources
The Philippines is rich in natural resources. It has fertile, arable lands, diverse flora and fauna,
extensive coastlines, and rich mineral deposits. About 30% of the land area of the country was
determined be geologically prospective by the Philippine Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau.
But Only 1.5% of country's land area is covered with mining permits. Despite the rich natural
resources of the Philippines, the government is restricting its exploitation. A logging ban is
imposed on many areas of the country and only in select areas are "sustainable logging"
allowed. However illegal logging and small-scale illegal mining continues is many areas. In
July 2012, President Benigno Aquino III ordered a stop to all mining activities in all (78 areas)
protected and eco-tourism sites. A positive step in the right direction to protect the natural
resources of the Philippines.
Our Land
The Philippines’ primary source of livelihood is its fertile land. Rich, wide plains suitable for
farming are found in the Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, South western Bicol, Panay, Negros,
Davao, Cotabato, Agusan and Bukidnon. The country ‘s six major crops
are rice, corn, sugarcane, coconut, abaca and tobacco. Except for rice and corn, all these
products are exported, along with bananas and pineapples.
Mineral resources
Except for petroleum and a number of metals, mineral resources abound in Philippine soil.
The country’s mineral deposits can be classified into metals and non-metals. Our metal
deposits are estimated at 21.5 billion metric tons, while non-metal deposits are projected at
19.3 billion metric tons. Nickel ranks first in terms of deposits and size, it is found in Surigao
del Norte, Davao, Palawan, Romblon and Samar. Iron is found in Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija,
Camarines Norte and Cotabato. While copper in Zambales, Batangas, Mindoro, Panay and
Negros. Among non-metal deposits, the most abundant are cement, lime, and marble. Other
non-metals include asbestos, clay, guano, asphalt, feldspar, sulfur, talc, silicon, phosphate,
and marble.
Fishery Resources
With its territorial waters measuring as much as 1.67 million square kilometers and located in
the worlds fishing center, the Philippines is definitely rich in marine resources. Of the 2,400
fish species found in the country. 65 have good commercial value. Other marine products
include corals, pearls, crabs and seaweeds.
Beaux Tristan L. Antonio
Major Environmental Laws in the Philippines
REPUBLIC ACT 9003 ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000
In partnership with stakeholders, the law aims to adopt a systematic, comprehensive
and ecological solid waste management program that shall ensure the protection of
public health and environment. The law ensures proper segregation, collection,
storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adaptation
of best eco-waste products.
REPUBLIC ACT 9275 PHILIPPINE CLEAN WATER ACT OF 2004
The law aims to protect the country's water bodies from pollution from land-based
sources
(industries
and
commercial
establishments,
agriculture
and
community/household activities). It provides for comprehensive and integrated
strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory
approach involving all the stakeholders.
REPUBLIC ACT 8749 PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
The law aims to achieve and maintain clean air that meets the National Air Quality
guideline values for criteria pollutants, throughout the Philippines, while minimizing the
possible associated impacts to the economy.
REPUBLIC ACT 6969 TOXIC SUBSTANCES, HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR
WASTE CONTROL ACT OF 1990
The law aims to regulate restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing,
sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures the present
unreasonable risk to human health. It likewise prohibits the entry, even in transit, of
hazardous and nuclear wastes and their disposal into the Philippine territorial limits for
whatever purpose; and to provide advancement and facilitate research and studies on
toxic chemicals.
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1586 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS)
STATEMENT OF 1978
The Environment Impact Assessment System was formally established in 1978 with
the enactment of Presidential Decree no. 1586 to facilitate the attainment and
maintenance of rational and orderly balance between socio-economic development
and environmental protection. EIA is a planning and management tool that will help
government, decision makers, the proponents and the affected community address
the negative consequences or risks on the environment. The process assures
implementation of environment-friendly projects.