Chapter 20

Ensuring Ecological
Integrity, Clean and Healthy
Environment
The environment and natural resources (ENR) sector plays a critical role in
the country’s development. It provides the following ecosystem services: (a)
provisioning (e.g., food, raw materials, freshwater); (b) regulating (e.g., local
climate and air quality, carbon sequestration and storage, erosion prevention); (c)
supporting (e.g., habitats for species, maintenance of genetic diversity); and (d)
cultural (e.g., recreation, tourism). These ecosystem services support the growth
and performance of other sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, industry and
services, and provide livelihood, especially to resource dependent communities.

Provision of these indispensable services, including the maintenance of a healthy

and good quality environment, has been increasingly compromised due to
mismanagement, misuse, and overexploitation of the country’s ENR. It is critical
that environmental health is improved and integrity ensured to support the
accelerated economic growth that the administration aims to achieve, strengthen
resilience against the impact of climate change (CC) and disasters (natural and
human induced),and improve the welfare of the poor and marginalized members
of society.

The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 includes more aggressive

strategies to rehabilitate and restore degraded natural resources, and protect
the fragile ecosystems while improving the welfare of resource-dependent
communities.

Assessment and Challenges

1

The country’s rank in environmental compared with Singapore and Malaysia but
management performance dropped is consistently much better than Indonesia
between 2006 and 2014 but improved and Vietnam.
from thereon. Over the past decade, the
country’s Environmental Performance Management of natural resources has
Index (EPI) ranking2 dropped from 55th in been improving. Several improvements
2006 to 114th in 2014, but recovered to rank were noted in the management of the
66 out of 180 countries in 2016 (Figure 20.1). country’s ENR, particularly in the reduction
The Philippines’ performance is poorer of open and denuded forest lands in the
1
Environmental, geological, human-induced and hydro-meteorological hazards
2
The EPI is a global metrics for the environment which ranks countries’ performance on high-priority environmental issues
related to health impact, air quality, water and sanitation, water resources, agriculture, forests, fisheries, biodiversity and
habitat, and climate and energy.

Chapter 20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment | 317

country as well as the effective management Order No. 26 on the Implementation of the
of key terrestrial and marine protected National Greening Program; (b) National
areas. This resulted in the improvement Integrated Protected Area System Act;
of critical habitats thereby arresting the (c) Wildlife Resources Conservation and
extinction of threatened flora and fauna. Protection Act; (d) Amended Fisheries
These accomplishments were facilitated by Code; and (e) other governance modality
the implementation of key environmental in establishing conservation areas such as
laws and policies such as: (a) Executive the local conservation areas and Indigenous
Order No. 23 on the Moratorium on Community Conserved Areas.
Logging in Natural Forest and Executive

Figure 20.1 Environmental Performance Index Ranking of ASEAN-6 (2006-2016)

Source: Adapted from Environmental Performance Index Reports, Yale University, 2006-2016

Progress was also noted in the issuance of National ambient air quality for particulate
patents and certificates of land ownership. matter measuring 10 micrometers in
In fact, of the 14.1 million hectares (ha) of diameter or smaller (PM10) has improved
alienable and disposable lands, only around over the last five years, from 76 micrograms
400,000 ha remain untitled. The issuance per normal cubic meter (µg/Ncm) in 2011
of land titles and residential patents to 46 µg/Ncm in 2015. This is due to more
incentivizes the beneficiaries to make their effective management of air quality in
land more productive so that it can generate strategic areas in the country, including
higher income. close monitoring of industries and stricter
implementation of anti-smoke belching
On mining rehabilitation, only four mine campaign. However, pollutant sources
sites remain abandoned, thus requiring continue to increase, in particular, the
government intervention to prevent further rapidly growing number of privately owned
damage to the environment and nearby vehicles (44% increase from 2006 to 2015),
communities. which remains the largest contributor of
emissions in the country.
Slight improvements in environmental
quality have been noted but monitoring of In terms of water quality, many of the
environmental compliance remains weak. classified water bodies are now unfit for

318 | Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

their intended uses (e.g. public water supply, for relief and recovery activities and not
food production, and recreation) due to for adaptation and mitigation measures.
rapid population growth and expansion of There is also a lack of IEC campaigns to
residential and industrial areas. Untreated increase adaptive capacity of communities,
domestic wastewater discharges (33%), especially vulnerable groups (i.e., women,
agriculture and livestock (29%), industrial children, older persons, indigenous peoples,
sources (27%) and non-point sources such and persons with disabilities).
as agricultural farms (11%) constituted the
sources of water pollution. In fact, only about The existing protocols for relief and
five percent of households are connected to rehabilitation are not appropriate for
sewerage network and treatment facilities. long-gestating events such as El Niño. For
instance, the quick response fund is intended
The waste management problem has for repair of infrastructure damaged due to
persisted despite 38 percent compliance of a calamity, but El Niño does not result in
local government units (LGU)3 with the damage in infrastructure but rather, loss of
provisions of the Ecological Solid Waste livelihood.
Management Act or RA 9003 (see also
Chapter 19). The greater majority have The socio-economic and environmental
yet to comply and the reason cited is the landscape is changing. Between 2017 and
lack of funds among LGUs to put up the 2022 there will be additional 8.3 million
infrastructure facilities required by RA Filipinos. In fact, Metro Manila will remain
9003. In addition, only few households as the densest region, further exceeding the
practice 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) in national population density average. More
waste management. people translate to higher demand for food
and houses that can put more pressure on
Efforts on disaster risk reduction (DRR) ENR. Increasing concentration of people in
and climate change adaptation (CCA) urban areas will also likely increase demand
remain inadequate. Measures that help for food, social services, infrastructure and
prevent and mitigate the impact of disasters transport facilities, electricity and power,
and prepare for these events have come in and other basic needs, all of which could
various forms, including: (a) mainstreaming exacerbate air and water pollution and
CCA and DRR into policies, plans, programs generate more waste. Together with the
and budget; (b) risk and vulnerability analysis proliferation of inefficient industries, this
and assessments, including the development could hasten the conversion of prime lands
of multi-hazard maps; (c) strengthening in urban fringes, and increase greenhouse
institutional and financial mechanisms; gas (GHG) emissions, thus further
(d) improving early warning systems; and aggravating the impact of CC.
(e) continuing information, education and
communication (IEC) campaigns. However, Impact of climate extremes and variability
not all LGUs have mainstreamed CCA and are felt with increased intensity and
DRR measures in their comprehensive frequency. With CC, Philippines is
land use and development plans (CLUP already experiencing increased intensity
and CDP) due to: (a) lack of capacity to and frequency of extreme weather events.
use the available geospatial information; Adapting to CC, which now defines the new
(b) unavailability of appropriately-scaled normal, and mitigating its impact, is a big
probabilistic multi-hazard maps; and (c) challenge and efforts have to be heightened
coarse spatial resolutions of available maps. to a level that would safeguard not only lives
Moreover, available funds are used primarily but also economic gains. Transitioning to
3
as of December 2016

Chapter 20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment | 319

a low carbon pathway by adhering to the the People’s Survival Fund, debt-for-nature
principle of common but differentiated swap, and risk transfer mechanisms due to:
responsibilities to address CC adds to the (a) lack of information about the financing
challenge. facility; (b) tedious fund disbursement
procedure; (c) weak institutional
ENR laws are weakly enforced. There preparedness to meet requirements; (d)
are sufficient rules and regulations in limited institutional capacity to prepare
the country that compel the protection, acceptable and bankable technical proposals;
proper management, and sustainable use (e) inability to utilize available science-based
of resources. Their implementation and information; and (f) unaffordable insurance
enforcement, however, are constrained products particularly for low income LGUs
by weak and fragmented institutional and farmers.
arrangements. For instance, while Laguna
Lake Development Authority is responsible Private sector engagement in ENR
for the protection and development of management, including investment in
Laguna Lake, regulation of other sources of CC and DRRM actions, is limited. The
pollutants such as household and industrial potential of private sector investing in
wastes fall under the mandate of LGUs or ENR management, including risk transfer
other agencies. mechanisms, remains largely untapped
due to the lack of a clear mechanism to
There is a lack of sustainable financing guide the private sector in complementing
and limited access to available funding government efforts. For instance, the private
facilities. Funding for ENR management sector can provide support in product
including CC and disaster risk reduction development and improving the export
and management (DRRM) initiatives largely potential of forest (timber and non-timber)
depends on public finance. Especially and marine-based products by investing in
in LGUs, funding for ENR, CC, and processing technology that will add value to
DRRM competes with other development the product. This policy gap has undermined
priorities. This has limited the initiatives the sector’s potential to significantly
for environmental management, CCA contribute to employment creation, poverty
and DRRM. Moreover, stakeholders have reduction, and climate change adaptation
difficulty accessing available funds, such as and mitigation (CCAM) and DRRM.

Strategic Framework
Ensuring ecological integrity and a clean potential growth. The key outcome under
and healthy environment is an important this chapter is to ensure ecological integrity
foundation supporting the three main and improve the socio-economic conditions
pillars of the PDP: enhancing the social of resource-based communities through
fabric, reducing inequality, and increasing sustainable integrated area development.

320 | Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

Targets
Table 20.1 presents the medium-term targets improved. Improved environmental quality
corresponding to each of the major outcomes will be assessed using quality standards
under this chapter. To sustain biodiversity for air, water and soil, among others. For
and functioning of ecosystem services, the increased adaptive capacity and resilience
forest cover will be increased and the quality of the ecosystem, a resilience index will be
of coastal and marine habitats will be developed using existing technical studies.

Table 20.1 Plan Targets to Ensure Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment,
2017-2022

BASELINE END OF PLAN

INDICATORS
YEAR VALUE TARGET

Chapter Outcome: Ecological integrity ensured and socioeconomic condition of resource-based communities improved
Subsector Outcome: Biodiversity and functioning of ecosystem services sustained
Forest cover increased (in ha) 2010 6.8 M Increasing
Coral reef:
• Excellent: 12,957.51
Quality of coastal and marine habitats improved (in ha) 2016 • Good: 1,717.62 Improving quality
• Fair: 171,762
• Poor: 1,235,488.73
Number of residential free patents issued 2016 To be determined 360,000
Employment from ecotourism and sustainable
To be determined Increasing
community resource-based enterprises increased
Subsector Outcome: Environmental quality improved
47% HUCs and major urban
Percentage of highly urbanized and other major urban
centers within ambient air
centers within ambient air quality guideline value 2015 Increasing
quality standard for PM10 &
increased
PM2.5
2016 • Public water supply: 0% Improving
Percentage of priority water bodies within water quality
2016 • Food production: 70% Increasing
guidelines increased
2016 • Recreational: 80% Increasing
Area assessed and mapped for soil fertility status and soil
2016 1,000,000 2,700,000
fertility management increased (in ha)
Area of land degradation hotspots decreased (in ha) 2016 2.3M 2.0M
Metro Manila: 48%
Solid waste diversion rate increased 2015 80%
Outside Metro Manila: 46%
Subsector Outcome: Adaptive capacity and resilience of ecosystems increased
Resilience index To be determined Increasing
• 552 CLUPs
Number of reviewed CC/DRRM-enhanced plans • 37 CDPs
2016 All LGUs
increased • 1522 LDRRMPs
• 1114 LCCAPs

Chapter 20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment | 321

Strategies
Sustainable integrated area development challenges and opportunities in a specific
(SIAD) and participatory environmental area. It will be implemented in an integrated
governance will be an overarching principle manner to ensure social justice and in order
in implementing the various strategies to to improve the quality of life of the people.
achieve the outcomes. SIAD will be adopted Specific subsector strategies consider CC
to address ecological, economic, political, and DRRM actions, and they are discussed
cultural, societal, human, and spiritual in the succeeding sections.

Figure 20.2 Strategy Framework to Ensure Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy
Environment, 2017-2022

322 | Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

Subsector Outcome 1: Biodiversity • Reverse the loss of forest cover through
and functioning of ecosystem services sustained rehabilitation of degraded
sustained forestlands including critical watersheds
and strengthened protection of remaining
To sustain the provision of ecosystem natural forests. Rehabilitation of the
services and meet both the present and future remaining unproductive, denuded, and
demand, the following key strategies will degraded areas (7.1 million ha) will be
be implemented: (a) intensify sustainable accelerated and prioritized. In addition,
management of natural resources through the protection of remaining natural
the adoption of ridge-to-reef approach and forests as well as the forest established
SIAD; (b) expand sustainable resource- from previous reforestation activities
based enterprises; and (c) mainstream will be ensured.
ecosystem values into national and local
development planning. • Effectively manage Protected Areas
(PA). Ecosystem restoration will
Intensify sustainable management of be implemented, especially for
natural resources through adoption of degraded habitats (e.g., mangroves,
ridge-to-reef approach and sustainable wetlands, forest, coral reefs) as well as
integrated area development. Conservation, demarcation and zoning of PAs to avoid
protection, and management of natural encroachment on boundaries of the PAs.
resources will be strengthened to ensure Policy gaps, including institutional and
that the ecosystem services are adequate. technical capacities on PA management
The ridge-to-reef and integrated area will be addressed.
development approach will be adopted
to ensure that the interconnectivity of • Strengthen law enforcement against
the different ecosystems is considered. illegal trade of wildlife species. Efforts
This will involve participation of different to combat illegal trade of wildlife
stakeholders and convergence of different species will be strengthened through
strategies. more policing activities, including
designation of more forest rangers
Forest and Watershed to guard against illegal collection,
possession, and trade of wildlife.
• Complete delineation of final forest limits Regulations on bio-prospecting and
including production and high value other economic activities involving
conservation areas as protection forest. the country’s biodiversity will also be
Forestland boundary delineation and strictly enforced.
demarcation will be undertaken to
clearly mark the extent of forestlands • Strengthen sustainable management
that need proper management. This through the issuance of appropriate
will provide the basis for identifying tenure and management arrangement.
the areas for private sector investment Tenurial instruments4 will be issued
(production zones) and for government to clearly establish the accountability
and private sector protection and of communities in the management of
conservation activities (protection forestlands and PAs. This will provide
zones). local communities the rights to develop

4
Tenurial instruments include the following: IFMA, forest land grazing lease agreement, CBFMA, certificate of ancestral
domain title and protected area community-based resources agreement

Chapter 20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment | 323

the forest resources and enjoy the strengthening the environmental impact
economic returns. statement system and guaranteeing
a just and equitable distribution of
• Improve land administration and mining benefits. Resource valuation
management. Strengthened partnership studies (e.g., cost-benefit analysis)
between land-related agencies and local will be conducted to identify the most
governments in the formulation of beneficial and sustainable use of land in
CLUPs and zoning of residential areas support of national development.
will be prioritized. This will be supported
by a legislation or proclamation for the Coastal and Marine
adoption of the cadastral survey results.
Enhancement of modern technology, • Enforce complete delineation,
land-resource information, as well delimitation and zoning of municipal
as the capacity and competence of waters. Delineation and delimitation
practitioners and workers in the land of municipal waters will be completed,
sector will be pursued. In addition, especially in LGUs with overlapping
delineation of ancestral domains and water boundaries (i.e., adjacent and
its waters will be accelerated, including opposite cities and municipalities). This
provision of economic and cultural will ensure that municipal fisherfolk
services to IPs/indigenous cultural of coastal cities and municipalities are
communities and local communities given preferential use and exclusive
within the framework of IPs’ socio- access to the resources. This will also
cultural integrity and ecological balance. facilitate a more effective apprehension
of violators. In addition, foreshore
• Strengthen research and development areas will be mapped and zoned into
on forest, watershed and biodiversity. production and protection areas to
Research studies to assess the carrying ensure fisheries sustainability.
capacity of ecosystem and to determine
factors that threaten important native • Strengthen law enforcement and the
and endemic species including their management of coastal and marine
habitats will be undertaken to identify areas. Stricter implementation and
appropriate conservation measures. enforcement of national and local laws,
Surface and groundwater resources policies, and plans will be pursued.
nationwide will also be assessed to Strategic policing and patrolling
ensure water supply sustainability. Also activities against illegal, unreported,
a critical area of research will be the and unregulated fishing and other
identification of the country’s genetic extractive activities will be conducted
resources and their economic potentials. in management areas, including marine
protected areas (MPAs), and fish refuge
Mineral Resources and sanctuaries.

• Strengthen environmental and social • Rationalize the identification of MPAs

safeguards for mineral resources and their networks. Coastal and
development. Compliance of mining MPAs are important components
industry to existing laws, rules and of integrated coastal management
regulations will be strictly enforced (ICM) and ecosystems approach
to safeguard the integrity of the to fisheries management. They will
environment and mining-affected help ensure the continued supply of
communities. This will be done by seafood, underpin ecotourism, and

324 | Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

enhance climate resilience. Network of • Promote sustainable forest-based (timber
MPAs, fish refuge and sanctuaries and and non-timber) industries including
managed access areas will be pursued agroforestry. To meet the projected
to improve ecological connectivity5 and demand for round wood and to reduce
management efficiency. threats in the remaining natural forests,
development of commercial forest
• Intensify research on coastal and plantations within integrated forest
marine habitats and resources. There management agreement (IFMA),
is a need to enhance data availability community-based forest management
and accessibility to monitor the status agreements (CBFMA), and applicable
and productivity of coastal and marine areas in ancestral domains vis-à-vis
resources, including vulnerability to the region’s comparative advantage for
natural hazards and CC. Improved timber production will be supported.
and regular data collection, scientific In addition, a registry and forest
assessment, and identification of certification system will be developed
spawning areas for priority fish species and instituted to promote the sustainable
will be conducted. management of forest and ensure the
competitiveness of the country’s forest-
Inland Wetlands and Caves based products in the international
market. Upland communities will
• Improve the management of priority be further assisted in developing
inland wetlands and caves. Management agroforestry farms, including the use
of priority inland wetlands and caves of traditional crop varieties, indigenous
with high conservation value will be livestock, and biodiversity-friendly
strengthened. This will include effective enterprises aligned with the needs of
communication of sustainable practices the market.
and enforcement of biodiversity
regulations. • Promote sustainable fish- and marine-
based industries. Sustainable marine-
Urban Biodiversity based industries that contribute to
the development of the blue economy
• Enhance green spaces in urban areas. A will be pursued by using eco-friendly
policy promoting green spaces in cities technologies and practices. These
as well as a monitoring metric will be industries include (a) sustainable
developed and tested. fisheries and aquaculture; (b) ocean
energy, offshore and gas exploration;
Expand the development of sustainable (c) shipping/marine transportation
resource-based industries. Recognizing the and ship building; (d) eco-tourism;
number of poor households in the upland and (e) marine biotechnology and
and coastal communities that are dependent bio-prospecting6, among others. The
on natural resources for their livelihood, identification and designation of areas
value addition of the products derived from for community fish landing centers
forests, coastal and marine resources as well will also be pursued, as these centers
as development of ecotourism products and will enable municipal fisherfolk to have
services will be pursued. access to cold storage facilities and

5
Results of study under the Strengthening MPAs to Conserve Marine Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines project
6
Bioprospecting of marine resources in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS).

Chapter 20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment | 325

improve the quality and value of fish Identifying the true value of the resources
and other marine products. will: (a) facilitate informed decision making
of political leaders and local communities;
• Develop a system for access and benefit (b) provide better alternatives and trade-offs;
sharing (ABS) of wealth from genetic and (c) generate income and employment
resources. A national policy framework in the rural areas and create wealth for the
on ABS will be developed to enhance nation.
regulatory measures and to protect
genetic resources as well as the • Institutionalize ecosystem valuation and
traditional knowledge of indigenous natural resource monitoring system.
communities. An ABS system will be Ecosystem service indicators will be
developed to monitor and optimize the included in forest, watershed, coastal
utilization of genetic resources, ensure and marine monitoring systems to
equitable sharing of revenues between help track the health and benefits of
government and product developers, ecosystems, including the impact of
and protect the rights of communities threats and drivers, such as CC, to these
where the resources are found. ecosystems.7

• Promote and develop ecotourism • Develop a policy for Payments for

and cultural sites. Promotion and Ecosystem Services. A policy to
development of ecotourism and cultural institutionalize payment for ecosystem
sites will be pursued, particularly in services that will provide incentives
key upland and coastal destinations, in the management of ENR will be
including wetlands and cave systems. developed. This will also provide an
In particular, the following will alternative source of income to the local
be conducted: (a) identification of communities.
ecotourism and cultural tourism
destinations and products and
promoting them in the domestic and Subsector Outcome 2: Environmental
international markets; (b) diversification quality improved
of existing destinations and creation of
new tourism areas and products; (c) Stricter implementation of existing legal
encouraging development tourism- frameworks will be pursued to promote a
related products and services using clean and healthy environment. Strategies
community-based approaches; and (d) will focus on strengthening compliance with
creating an environment conducive for environmental standards and safeguards as
ecotourism investment. well as developing, promoting, and adopting
sustainable consumption and production
Mainstream ecosystem values into national (SCP) practices. These strategies will
and local development planning. With mitigate the negative environment and
the range of services and products sourced health impact of economic activities.
from natural resources, mainstreaming
accounting and valuation in the development Strengthen enforcement of environmental
planning is necessary to ensure that due laws. The enforcement and monitoring of
importance and appropriate management compliance to existing laws and regulations
will be given to these finite resources. will be intensified to achieve the desired

7
Watershed ecosystem service indicators include: (a) total water yield (m3/ha/yr.); (b) sediment retention capacity (t/ha/yr.);
(c) avoided potential floodwater (m3).

326 | Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

quality of the environment. The following • Develop and enhance modeling tools
are the strategies on air, water, and land for water quality scenario-building
quality management: • Implement the National Sewerage and
Septage Management Program (see also
Air Quality Management Chapter 19)

• Increase the number of upgraded air Land Quality Management

quality monitoring stations and improve
the procurement process • Promote sustainable land management
• Strengthen the enforcement of the anti- (SLM) to arrest land degradation
smoke belching campaign and vehicle · Integrate SLM practices into
emission testing sectoral, national, and local
• Promote environmentally-sustainable development plans and natural
transport, including the mass transport resources management plans
system, use of cleaner fuels, and · Improve local capacities and skills
conversion to fuel-efficient engines (see for planning and management of
also Chapter 19) land resources, and strengthen
• Enforce the creation of airshed awareness and advocacy campaigns
governing boards and ensure that they · Scale up and promote SLM in
are functional production landscapes and within
• Strengthen the enforcement of air multiple-use zones in PAs
quality standards among industry · Implement soil erosion control in
players sloping areas and water impounding
technologies in flood-prone areas
Water Quality Management within major river basins
· Develop and implement
• Strengthen water quality monitoring the National Soil and Water
by maintaining the number of water Conservation Program to improve
monitoring stations, establishing, and soil fertility and vegetative cover
operationalizing the required number · Promote integrated nutrient
of water quality management areas, management based on soil tests and
and enhancing capacity for laboratory balanced application of appropriate
analysis fertilizers
• Improve wastewater management by
increasing the number of domestic, • Improve management of solid, toxic. and
commercial and industrial wastewater hazardous wastes including electronic
treatment facilities in water districts, wastes
LGUs, and sites maintained by the · Enforce the compliance of
private sector (see also Chapters 9 and LGUs to RA 9003 in relation to
19) the establishment of material
• Identify pollutants, including persistent recovery facilities and treatment
organic pollutants and heavy metals in facilities; closure and rehabilitation
priority water bodies and determine the of remaining dumpsites; and
appropriate management interventions formulation of local solid waste
• Formulate guidelines to access the management (SWM) plans
National Water Quality Management · Promote the practice of 3Rs and
Fund and Area Water Quality proper waste management
Management Fund · Promote strategic clustering

Chapter 20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment | 327

of sanitary landfills and SWM • Promote green procurement in the
technologies to address their large public and private sectors
capital requirement, and allow • Strengthen the promotion,
low-income LGUs to pool their development, transfer, and adoption
resources to finance such facilities of eco-friendly technologies, systems,
· Provide alternative livelihood and practices in the public and private
activities for waste pickers in the sectors by increasing access to incentives
remaining dumpsites identified for and facilitating ease of doing business
closure and other related transactions, among
· Improve the management and others (see also Chapters 9, 10, 14 and
disposal of electronic, hospital and 19);
toxic wastes • Intensify the use of renewable energy
and increase its share in the energy mix
• Transform abandoned mines and mined- (see also Chapter 19)
out areas into land use that is beneficial • Promote the conduct of a GHG
to communities inventory in the public and private
· Implement and monitor the sectors
rehabilitation of remaining
abandoned mines, namely, Bagacay,
Palawan Quicksilver, Romblon, and Subsector Outcome 3: Adaptive
Silica Sand mines, as well as the capacities and resilience of
smooth turnover of management to ecosystems increased
LGUs
· Continue monitoring and auditing Strategies will be geared toward
the progressive rehabilitation of strengthening the implementation of CCA
operating surface metallic mines and DRR actions across sectors, including
to ensure the environmental ENR. Response, rehabilitation and recovery
compliance of mining companies efforts will be continuously pursued, with
emphasis on strategies to rehabilitate affected
Promote sustainable consumption and natural resources, rebuild infrastructure
production. The government will develop facilities, and allow communities to recover
and implement SCP policies and initiatives, losses and continue their livelihood and
particularly practices and technologies business operations.
that will facilitate the attainment of both
economic goals and environmental Strengthen the implementation of CCA
standards. In particular, the following and DRR across sectors, particularly at the
strategies will be pursued to strengthen SCP local level. Because preparatory activities
promotion: for building adaptive capacity and resilience
are limited, the following specific strategies
• Formulate a “polluters pay” policy and will be pursued:
implement corresponding measures
• Establish a sustainable market for • Strengthen existing inter-agency bodies
recyclables and recycled products that serve as venues for improving
• Strengthen the certification and policy making and implementation
establish information systems for green of CC and DRRM. Horizontal and
products and services vertical integration of climate-resilient
• Strengthen the implementation of planning, programming and budgeting
Philippine Green Jobs Act on CC and DRRM will be ensured.

328 | Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

The Memorandum of Understanding • Continue to mainstream CCAM and
between the Climate Change DRRM in national and local development
Commission and National Disaster plans and policies. Government at all
Risk Reduction and Management levels will be informed of the latest CC
Council will be operationalized to projection and risk and vulnerability
provide an enabling environment for assessment to identify appropriate
mainstreaming DRR and CCA with interventions and avoid maladaptation.
regard to: (a) setting standards and Existing financing schemes and
requirements to integrate local DRRM auditing systems will also be revisited to
and CC action plans; (b) ensuring support CCAM and DRRM priorities.
the interoperability of databases to See Chapter 5 .
develop a decision support system;
(c) implementing appropriate DRRM • Promote climate and disaster-resilient
and CC actions; and (d) establishing structures and designs following
coordinated monitoring, reporting and established measures and standards.
evaluation system. See Chapter 5 . Retrofitting and construction of
climate-smart and disaster-resilient
• Develop, maintain, and ensure the infrastructures and facilities will be
accessibility of climate and geospatial pursued, especially in hazard-prone
information and services. This includes areas and environmentally-critical
the following activities: (a) completing areas. See Chapters 3, 9, 12 and 19.
the coverage and ensuring access to
large scale (1:10,000) probabilistic • Identify technological and research
hazard maps; (b) conducting a priorities and capacity needs on CCAM
nationwide geo-referenced mapping and DRRM. This strategy includes
of exposed elements; (c) developing but is not limited to: (a) development
risk estimation models to determine of methodologies/tools for national-
the value of potential loss and damage level risk informed planning
for different scenarios; (d) improving and programming; (b) scenario
the loss and damage database to development and modelling of sectoral
generate disaggregated information climate impact; (c) cost-benefit analysis
about vulnerable and affected groups; of implementing CCAM and DRRM
(e) identifying and mapping natural alternatives; (d) low carbon innovations
ecosystems that contribute to resilience; to address CCA and DRR; (e) approaches
and (f) standardizing definition and and tools to address impact of slow onset
methodologies to measure DRRM and events such as sea level rise and ocean
CC variables. acidification; and (f) improved weather
detection, forecasting and monitoring.
• Develop a data protocol to facilitate See Chapters 14 and 19.
access and sharing of available scientific
researches and studies, geospatial • Maximize access to CC and DRRM
information, and climate projection. financing and risk transfer mechanisms.
A clear policy on accessing and Information on available international
sharing CCAM and DRRM data will and national CC and DRRM financing
be formulated consistent with the facilities will be widely disseminated.
provisions of Executive Order No. 02 on Technical assistance to stakeholders,
Freedom of Information. See Chapter 5 . particularly LGUs will be provided to

Chapter 20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment | 329

comply with the requirements of such of monitoring systems to measure the
facilities. On risk transfer mechanism, implementation and effectiveness of CC
CC considerations will be incorporated and DDRM initiatives vis-à-vis Sustainable
in the design of financing packages and Development Goals (SDG), Sendai
insurance products. Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction,
and United Nations Framework Convention
• Promote business continuity planning. on Climate Change commitments.
Businesses, especially micro, small and
medium enterprises and cooperatives, • Identify appropriate indicators to
will be encouraged to prepare business measure adaptive capacity and resilience.
continuity plans for dealing with Indicators linked to vulnerability vis-
disaster risks. See Chapters 9 and 15 . à-vis interventions provided will be
identified and integrated in existing
Strengthen institutional response to monitoring systems. This includes
disasters. Priority will be given to activities ecosystem service indicators that help
that will further improve the timely delivery assess conditions of natural resources.
of response, recovery, and rehabilitation
efforts, and contribute toward increasing • Develop a database to measure emission
resilience. See Chapters 11 and 12. reduction per sector. Pursuant to EO
174, there is a need to conduct GHG
• Strengthen mechanism to conduct a post inventory for agriculture, forestry,
or rapid disaster needs assessment (P/ energy, transport (i.e., land, maritime
RDNA). Nationwide vulnerability and and aviation), waste, and industry. This
risk assessment will be completed to will assist the monitoring, reporting
provide the bases for a P/RDNA. In and verification of the country’s GHG
addition, there will be capacity-building emissions.
programs for concerned agencies in
the conduct of P/RDNA, including Cross-cutting Strategy
inventory and assessment of damaged
natural resources. Review, codify and streamline existing
ENR policies, rules and regulations to
• Revisit existing policies on post-disaster improve compliance, address conflicting
housing and resettlement programs, provisions and promote transparency
including those related to land and accountability. Sustainable financing
development. Housing, procurement mechanisms for ENR, CCA and DRRM
and land development policies and efforts will also be determined and
process, particularly in areas affected operationalized to ensure continuity of
by disasters, will be reviewed and activities. But still, strongly motivating
amended as needed. The identification behavioral change at the national,
of housing and resettlement areas community and individual levels regarding
should be in appropriate land-use and ENR conservation and management will be
will not encroach on environmentally- the most effective strategy.
critical areas and conservation sites. See
Chapters 11 and 12.

Strengthen the monitoring and evaluation

of the effectiveness of CC and DRRM
actions. This includes activities related to the
identification of indicators and development

330 | Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

Legislative Agenda
To strengthen the effectiveness of the strategies, legislative action is needed in the following:

Table 20.2 Legislative Agenda to Ensure Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy
Environment, 2017-2022

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA RATIONALE

Subsector Outcome: Biodiversity and functioning of ecosystem services sustained
Delineation of the Specific Forest Limits Provide a clear and solid basis on the limits of the forest line.
Comprehensive Forestry Law Institutionalize the development of an effective and sustainable forest
management strategy based on the allocation of forestland uses (i.e. production
and protection zones). This will also enhance private sector participation and
develop systems on Forest Certification and Forest Monitoring, Assessment and
Reporting.
Integrated Coastal Management Strategy Institutionalize ICM as a strategy for the sustainable development of coastal and
marine areas.
Land Administration Reform Act Streamline standards, processes and regulations for property rights, valuation
and taxation.
Amendment of Water Code Provide a legal framework for the institutionalization and operationalization
of Integrated Water Resources Management to respond to current trends and
challenges such as climate variability affecting water supply and availability, as
well as address institutional gaps and weaknesses.
Expanded National Integrated Protected Finalize/hasten establishment of around a hundred national protected areas
Areas System Act since only 13 have been established since 1992.
Subsector Outcome: Environmental quality improved
Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling Address improper disposal of e-waste and facilitate the advancement of existing
efforts to strengthen solid waste management.
Amendment to RA 6969 (Toxic Address the emerging toxic and hazardous wastes which are not covered by the
Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear current provisions of the law.
Wastes Control Act)
Subsector Outcome: Adaptive capacity and resilience of ecosystems increased
Further strengthening the Philippine Create a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and
DRRM system and institutionalizing the integrate new policies on disaster preparedness, response, mitigation/prevention
Framework Plan and rehabilitation/recovery to address existing implementing gaps and
challenges.
Cross-cutting
National Land Use Act Address the urgency to provide rationalized land use planning in the country,
consolidate national laws on land uses and address long-standing land use
conflicts.
Philippine Environmental Assessment Ensure that possible environmental consequences of policies, plans and
System programs are fully-accounted at the earliest stage of decision-making consistent
with economic and social considerations. This will also strengthen the use of
Environmental Impact Statement System as a planning and monitoring tool.

Chapter 20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment | 331