MODULAR UNIT 5

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND PROTECTION

OVERVIEW

Environmental Education is a process which is very useful to human beings in order to

manage well their environmental and instill the right behavior that serves as key to sustainable
development.
This module discusses the current environmental pressures brought about by a rapidly
increasing Filipino population. As you realize the stressful effects of people’s environment, we
hope that you will also realize that environmental degradation has become a major social
concern. Likewise, we hope that such realization will help you to be more aware of our
responsibilities in protecting and enhancing the Philippine environment. And that with such new
awareness, is the emergence of another Filipino youth who is committed to take an active
stewardship role in “saving the present for the future.”

INPUT NO.1: BASIC CONCEPTS AND LAWS GOVERNING ENVIRONMENTAL

EDUCATION

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION refers to organized efforts to teach about how natural

environments function and particularly, how human beings can manage their behavior and
ecosystems in order to live sustainably. The term is often used to imply education within the
school system, from primary to post-secondary. However, it is sometimes used more broadly to
include all efforts to educate the public and other audiences, including print materials, websites,
media campaigns, etc. Related disciplines include outdoor education and experiential education.

Environmental Education is a learning process that increases people’s knowledge and

awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills and
expertise to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make
informed decisions and take responsible action (UNESCO, Tbilisi Declaration, 1978.

IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

1. All major natural resources in the country are in grave danger of irreparable damage.
2. A society cannot survive if its natural resources are rendered unfit for use by its people.
3. The only hope of salvaging this grave situation is by making the young aware that they
need to proactively begin to protect the environment they will inherit.
4. Science and Technology can help in a limited way but cannot deliver it.
5. It is a moral and ethical education for changing people’s attitude.
6. To protect children living in polluted regions, environmental education represents a
relevant means of prevention.
7. It is a need of the time to propose environmental education delivered with moral
concepts.
8. It is conceived to sustain participation of the citizens especially the youth particularly in
combating ill effects of climate change.

RELATED LAWS IN PROMOTING ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION

Republic Act No. 9512

An act to promote environmental awareness through environmental education and

for other purposes.
This Act is known as the “National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of
2008”,
Specifically, Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy states that:

Consistent with the policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the people
to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and in
recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation building and the role of education to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
development, the state shall promote national awareness on the role of natural resources in
economic growth and the importance of environmental conversation and ecological balance
sustained national development.

Republic Act 9003: January 26, 2001

This is 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 thereof, and for other purposes.

Republic Act No. 9275: March 22, 2004

An act providing for a comprehensive water quality management and for other
purposes.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy- The State shall pursue a policy of economic growth in a
manner consistent with the protection, preservation and revival of the quality of our fresh,
brackish and marine waters.

Republic Act 8749: June 23, 1999

“ Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999” an act providing for a comprehensive air
pollution control policy and for other purposes

Republic Act No. 9147

An act providing for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and
their habitats, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes

Republic Act No. 9175

An act regulating the ownership, possession, sale, importation and use of
chainsaws, penalizing violations thereof and for other purposes.

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 33 SERIES OF 2009

Subject: Integration of Environmental Education in the Tertiary Education Curriculum

particularly the Civic Welfare and Training Service Component of the National Service Training
Program.

Definition of Terms

1. Biodegradable. Any material that can be broken down by naturally occurring organisms
such as bacteria and fungi in air water and soil
2. Composting. Biological degradation under controlled conditions.
3. Domestic Waste. Refuse from households, as distinguished from industrial waste,
hospital waste, etc, which maybe classified as a biodegradable or non-biodegradable.
4. Food Materials. Include certain kind of seeds, pulp, peelings, pickles, sweets or snacks.
5. Hazardous Waste. Special types of wastes containing the chemical biological and radio
active elements which are harmful to human health.
6. Incineration. The controlled process by which combustible materials and burned and
changed into gases and residues that contain little or no combustible materials.
7. Non-biodegradable. Any material that cannot be degraded or decomposed by naturally
occurring organisms such as bacteria and fungi in air, water and soil.
8. Putrescible. A substance that decomposes at certain temperature in contact with air and
moisture; generally containing nitrogen.
9. Recycling. The re-use, retrieval, recommission of element/matter for any and all
purposes necessary to healthful and productive living; the process by which waste
materials are transformed into new products in such a manner that the original products
may lose their identity.
10. Solid waste. Include anything thrown away such as garbage, rubbish, trash, litter, junk
and refuse of any source.

INPUT NO.2: THE SEVEN ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES

 This section highlights the basic environmental principles, varied types of ecosystem,
current environmental issues, anthropogenic activities that threaten the environment and the role
of youth in protecting our environment.

1. Nature knows best. This principles is the most basic and in fact encompasses all the
others. Humans have to understand nature and have top abide by the rules nature dictates.
In essence, one must not go against the natural processes if one would like to ensure a
continuous and steady supply of resources.
2. All forms of life are important. Each organism plays a fundamental role in nature. Since
such occupational or functional position, otherwise known as niche, cannot be
simultaneously occupied by more than one specie, it is apparent that all living things
must be considered as invaluable in the maintenance of homeostasis in the ecosystem.
3. Everything is connected to everything else. This principle is best exemplified by the
concept of the ecosystem. In an ecosystem, all biotic and amniotic components interact
with each other to ensure that the system is perpetuated. Any outside interference may
result in an imbalance and the deterioration of the system.
4. Everything changes. It is said that the only permanent thing is change. As a general
classification, change may be linear, cyclical or random. As example of linear change is
evolution of species, which has brought about higher and more complex types of
organisms. Cyclical change may be exemplified by seasons and the rhythms in floral and
faunal life stages that go with the seasons. An example of random change is the eruption
of Mt. Pinatubo, which brought great upheaval in many parts of Luzon and changes in the
topography of the land.
5. Everything must go somewhere. When a piece of paper is thrown away, it disappears
from sight but it does not cease to exist. It ends up elsewhere. Gases released in
smokestacks may disperse but it will end up a component of the atmosphere or brought
down by rains. What a particular type of waste does to the earth’s repository should be of
concern to us. It may be pollutant or a resource depending on certain factors.
6. Our is a finite earth. The earth’s resources can be classified as either renewable or non-
renewable. Renewable resources are those that can easily be replenished by natural cycles
(e.g. water, air, plants, and animals) while non-renewable resources are those that cannot
be replenished through natural cycles (e.g. ores of various metals, oi, coal).
7. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s creation. 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.

SYNTHESIS

The worlds environmental condition has deteriorated due to excessive abuse by the
people. Air and water are polluted. Forests are denuded by legal and illegal logging activities
causing so much soil erosion that eventually results in the silting of rivers and oceans. Coral
reefs are destroyed affecting negatively the marine resources that supply a big proportion of the
pullulation in their diet.

Over consumption of resources and over-population threaten the existence and

survival of many environmental products. Worse is the development aggression in many areas
where natural resources have not been maximally exploited.

Paying attention to environmental care has global implications. Environmental impact

of a nation’s action cannot be limited to its own country only. It affects other countries outside of
its own boundaries and beyond its territory.

The global concern of the environment is the attention given to educate the people on
the preservation and protection of the existing resources and prevent it from over exploitation.
 Environmental care adheres to the principle of sustainable development where the
interest of future generation to develop should not be compromised by the desire of the present
generation to develop using the resources in the environment.

According to Eun-I9ung Na (2002), the concept of sustainable development has some

inner contradictions from the start, due to its global level challenges to balance economic growth
with resource sustainability and a healthy environment.

The World Council of Churches’ Study Document (2002) gave their own view not
only on sustainable development but the efforts at working toward the formation of sustainable
communities.

INPUT NO.3: CLIMATE CHANGE

What is climate Change?

Climate Change is any change in climate over time whether due natural processes or
a result of human activity.

It is a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity

that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is, in addition to natural climate
variability, observed over comparable time periods (United Nations Frameworks Convention on
Climate Change).

HOW DOES IT OCCUR?

The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

(IPCC, 4AR 2007) concludes that climate change is already occurring and that further
acceleration will results in a two (2) degree increase in global temperature and of extreme
weather conditions.

Climate Change is cause by the increasing volume of Greenhouse gates (GHG) in the
atmosphere. Greenhouse gases that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the earth’s
surface and contributing to climate change (UNEP 1988). This gases are water vapor, methane,
carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, ozone, hydrofluorocarbon, perfluorocarbon, and sulfur
hexafluoride. When these gases increase in volume, more solar heat will be trapped resulting to a
warmer atmospheric condition. This phenomenon is known as the “greenhouse effect”. Global
warming is the increase in the average temperature of the earth’s near-surface air and oceans that
is associated with the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the temperature.

Humans are responsible for the accelerated warming of the earth. Before the advent of
humans, climate changes were naturally caused. Many greenhouse gases occur naturally like
methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, ozone and even water vapor. Other greenhouse gases
like hydroflurocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbon (PFC), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) which
absorb and hold greater heat are human-made. These are produced through industrial processes.
However, human activities also add to the increase of the naturally occurring greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE OR GLOBAL WARMING?

The warming of the Earth’s atmosphere results in the melting of snow covers and glaciers,
the rise of sea level, shorter winters, early springs, hotter summers and delayed coming of
autumns, altered forest productivity and composition, habitat shifts of some animals, changes in
the behavior patterns of flora and fauna, spread of diseases, stronger and more frequent
typhoons, more floods, severe droughts, stronger heat waves and heavier rains and more.

These changes in environment as a result of climate change have already made their impact
on human population in a global scale. Socio-economic problems and difficulties will be
amplified compounding the already heavy burden of the poor sectors.
 The Philippines is ranked 4th in the Global Climate Risk Index. Being archipelagic, fifteen
(15) of its regions are vulnerable to sea level rise. A meter rise in sea level will affect 64 out of
81 provinces in the Philippines; sea water would cover at least 703 of 1,610 towns and close to
700 million square meters of land could displace at least 1.5 million Filipinos.

WHAT CAN BE DONE LOCALLY?

The following can be done:

1. Reduce the source of green house gas emissions or their sink or capture (Mitigation).
What activities in your locality release carbon dioxide and similar green house gases in
the air? These activities must be curtailed. In what concrete way can we help capture
carbon dioxide in the air?
2. Moderate the harmful effects of climate change and exploit its beneficial opportunities
(Adaptation). What activities or project are being done in your communities to lessen the
harmful effects of global warming or offset its potential damages? What opportunities
associated with global warming did you take advantage of?
3. Support or join awareness raising of people in your locality/community about climate
change. While it is a very important and urgent concern to this generation, it is however,
a relatively new issue that needs to be disseminated and linked to potential hazard and
risks. It is important to discuss this subject in a dialect local people can understand and
learn.
4. Carry out concrete disaster prevention, mitigation and management activities (Capacity
Building). If your community is high risk to flooding, stormy conditions, earthquakes or
landslide, training the local people in damage/need assessment, shelter management, first
aid, risk mapping, fire prevention, tree planting and early warning among other things
should be done.
5. Suggest or advocate the integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation into
organizational/institutional plans to mainstream this consciousness.
6. Lobby for and/ or support climate change responsive policies and ordinances (Policy
Development).
7. Synergize efforts with other enlightened individual or group stakeholders. To reduce
vulnerability to climate change hazards and risks, Adaptation, Risk Reduction,
Development Planning and Humanitarian Action need to come together.
8. Develop a stable resource mobilization mechanism or system to ensure and facilitate the
flow of financial and technical support to local implementers. Without an adequate and
sustainable financial and technical backing, plans will remain good in writing.

INPUT NO.4: ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Based on studies made by the National Solid Waste Management Commission

Secretariat based at the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), it is estimated that the per
capita waste production daily is 0.5 kg. This means that for every person living in the metropolis,
he or she generates half a kilo of waste a day. With an estimated population of 10.5 million, total
waste generated in Metro Manila alone could run up to 5,250 metric tons per day; or 162,750
metric tons per month; 0r 1.95 million metric tons per year. Definitely, that’s a lot of waste to
speak of.

Only about 73% of the 5,250 metric tons of waste generated daily collected by dump
trucks hired by our respective local government units. That assuming our LGU’s are faithful to
their duties to us, taxpayers. The remaining 27% of our daily waste about 1,417.5 metric tons end
up in canals, vacant spaces, street corners, market place, rivers, and other places where,
ironically.

That explains why WE need to act. As part of the problem, because we produce garbage
ourselves, we can also be part of the solution by reducing our contribution to the waste problem.
 Because at the rate we are producing waste, we will soon find ourselves buried on our
own trash. Or shall we say, we will soon be having more of our human-made mountains of
garbage amidst us?

The tragedy that has befallen the residents of Payatas dump site in Quezon City, when its
mountain of garbage slid down, burying in its course not a few garbage pickets, should
strengthen our resolve to do something about our wasteful lifestyles.

Second, talks about landfill, as an alternative engineering solution to the garbage problem
for so-called residual waste, is fine. But where to site the landfill is another thing. For years,
negotiations for landfill for Metro Manila’s garbage had elicited not only long debates among
our political leaders but also emotional outbursts from prospective host communities.

Perhaps the most important reason why we have to act now on the worsening solid waste
problem is their impact on human health. Health is a basic human right. We all deserve to live in
a cleaner environment. We all desire for a healthy family… a healthy neighborhood…a healthy
nation. And, the only way to satisfy these desires is to do away with garbage that breeds flies,
roaches, rodents and harmful bacteria that can spread disease in our homes and in our
communities. While there were already efforts in the past to address the problem head-on, the
passage of Republic Act (R.A) No. 9003, otherwise known as the “Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000”.

1. What is R.A. No. 9003? Improper solid waste disposal is probably the most important
environmental concern facing local governments (Laplante 2003). This is particularly
true in the Philippines (World Bank 2001). In response to garbage crisis, the first bill that
then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law in 2001 was republic
Act no.9003 (RA 9003) or the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ECOSWAM) Act
which requires municipalities to dispose of waste in a sanitary and environmentally
friendly manner.
The Act created the National Solid Waste Management (SWM) Commission and
prescribed the establishment of an SWM board in each local government unit (LGU) and
the formulation of ten-year local ECOSWAM plans. The Act states that the LGU’s shall
be primarily responsible for the implementation of ECOSWAM services. It authorizes the
local SWM Board to impose fees on the SWM services that the LGU or any authorized
organization provides and pool these fees into a solid waste management fund.
Republic Act No. 9003 provides the legal framework for the country’s
systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that shall
ensure protection of public health and the environment.
The implementing rules and regulations of R.A No. 9003 are contained in
DENR Administrative Order No. 2001-34.

2. What are the salient features of R.A. No. 9003?

a. Creation of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), the
National Ecology Center (NEC) and the Solid Waste Management Board in every
province, city and municipality in the country.
b. Formulation of the National Solid Waste Management Framework; 10-year solid
management plans by local government units consistent with the National Solid
Waste Management Framework;
c. Mandatory segregation of solid waste to be conducted primarily at the source such
as household, institutional, industrial, commercial and agricultural sources;
d. Setting of minimum requirements to ensure systematic collection and transport of
wastes and the proper protection of the health of garbage collectors;
e. Establishment of reclamation programs and buy-back centers for recyclable and
toxic materials;
f. Promotion of eco-labeling in local products and services;
g. Prohibition on non-environmentally acceptable products and packaging;
h. Establishment of Materials Recovery Facility in every barangay or cluster of
barangays;
i. Prohibition against the use of open dumps;
j. Setting of guidelines/criteria for the establishment of controlled dumps and
sanitary landfills;
 k. Provision of rewards, incentives both fiscal and non-fiscal, financial assistance,
grants and the like to encourage LGUs and the general public to undertake
effective solid waste management.
l. Promotion of research on solid waste management and environmental education in
the formal and non-formal sectors.

3. How can we help solve the solid waste problem? There are many ways to do it. A
highly recommended formula is to adopt the 3Rs of Ecological Waste Management:
REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE.

In addition to that, let us refrain from doing what have been prohibited under
the law, to include but are not limited to the following:

a. Littering, throwing, dumping of waste materials in public places like roads, sidewalks,
canals, esteros, parks and establishments;
b. Open burning of solid waste;
c. Allowing the collection of non-segregated or unsorted waste;
d. Squatting in open dumps and landfills;
e. Open dumping or burying of biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials in flood-
prone areas;
f. Unauthorized removal of recyclable material intended for collection by authorized
persons;
g. Mixing of source-separated recyclable material with other solid waste in any vehicle,
box, container or receptacle used in solid waste collection or disposal;
h. Manufacture, distribution or use of non-environmentally acceptable packaging materials;
i. Establishment or operation of open dumps; and
j. Importation of consumer products packaged in non-environmentally acceptable materials.

HAZARDOUS WASTES

These are solid wastes or a combination of solid waste which identify concentration
or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may do the following:

1. Cause or significantly contribute to the increase in mortality or an increase in serious

irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness; and
2. Cause a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when
improperly treated, stored or transported.

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

A comprehensive and integrated management of toxic substances and hazardous

wastes which adheres to the waste management hierarchy of source reduction, recycling,
treatment and safe disposal for the protection of personnel, environment and property.

FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF HAZARDOUS WASTES

1. Ignitable-the substance causes or enhances fires

2. Corrosive-the substance destroys tissues or metals
3. Reactive-the substance reacts with others and may explode
4. Toxic-the substance is a danger to health, water food and air

THE THREE MAIN GOALS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

1. Protection of the environment

2. Improvement of Public Health
3. Conservation of Energy

INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT (ISWM)

 It is the selection of combination of techniques, technologies and management programs to
achieve waste management objectives.

Hierarchy of ISWM

Source Reduction and Minimization

Recycling and reuse

Transformation

Landfill

ZERO WASTE MANAGEMENT

Zero Waste Management is an ecological method of handling wastes that does not
degrade the environment nor pollute air, water, soil and facilitate their sanitary retrieval, reuse or
recycling. This is one of the most friendly, economical tool of contributing ecological welfare for
human beings and the community.

Modern waste reduction consists of three (3) components namely:

1. Reuse. Means re-utilization of materials for particular purpose.

2. Reduce. The process of lessening the fresh raw materials that affects air, water and land
pollution through proper waste disposal.
3. Recycling. Involves processing used, unwanted materials (waste) into new products to
prevent waste of potentially useful materials.

It involves processing used, unwanted materials (waste) into new products to prevent waste
of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy
usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing
the need for “conventional” waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to
virgin production. Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third
component of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” waste hierarchy.

INPUT NO.5: AIR POLLUTION AWARENESS AND PREVENTION

This section discusses the nature, types, sources and effects of air pollution. It gives the
general status of air pollution in the country, and summarizes the salient features of the Clean Air
Act and suggests ways by which to prevent pollution.

Accumulation in the atmosphere of gases from industrial solvents such as nitrous oxides
and carbon tetrachloride and carbon dioxide from burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have
possible effects on climate and human health.

Anthropogenic sources of air pollution have been increasing vehicles that ply the road of
Metro Manila are smoke belchers.

Among the different air pollutants, 6 “criteria” pollutants such as ozone, carbon
monoxide, lead, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulates determine air quality standards.
 Ozone is the major ingredient in smog. In the stratosphere it occurs naturally and acts as a
filtering mechanism for the harmful ultra violet rays from the sun but in the lower atmosphere
comprise what mainly we see as grey smog suspended on air. Ozone is formed by a series of
complex reactions involving nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and sunlight. Smog or
ground level ozone may cause lung inflammation, decreased ability to breathe and susceptibility
to respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, fibrosis and premature lung aging.
Children are susceptible to ozone exposure.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odorless, colorless gas produced during fossil fuel or
biomass burning. Carbon monoxide exposure can block oxygen to the brain and cause poor
concentration, fatigue and death.

Lead is one of the most toxic substances. Lead in gasoline remain by far the single
largest source of lead exposure in urban areas and poses the greatest threat to the public. A
special hazard for young children, several studies have shown that lead exposures can
significantly reduce the IQ of school-aged children. It has also been associated with aggressive
behavior, delinquency and attention diseases in boys, between 7-11 years of age.

Sulfur oxides are gases formed by combustion. Industries and electric power plants
account for 88% of sulfur dioxide emissions totaling 88, 458 tons in 1990, causing bronchitis and
impairment of preliminary functions. They are also active ingredients in the formation of acid
rain.

Nitrogen oxides are gases produces from high temperature combustion in the air. It can
cause respiratory ailments like asthma and eye irritation. They are also an active ingredients in
the formation of smog.

Air pollution is the presence of substances in the air in amounts harmful to humans,
other animals and/ or plants. There are over100 identified air pollutants.

The main categories of pollutants are:

1. Particulates are very fine solids, collectively referred to as total suspended particulates.
(TSP);
2. Carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen and sulfur;
3. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs); and
4. Ozone

These substances are associated mostly with fossil-fuel burning. Particulates are
unburned hydrocarbons and soot or carbon. They result from incomplete burning of fuels. So
does carbon monoxide. VOCs are benzene and other aromatics that are formed from the
production of gasoline in order to improve its performance as fuel for vehicles. Ozone is formed
from the reaction of VOCs and nitrogen oxides (Nos). Oxides of sulfur are released because
sulfur is naturally found in petroleum and coal. Oxides of nitrogen are released as the high
temperature of combustion catalyzes reaction between the nitrogen in the fuel and air oxygen of
the air.

SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION b

1. Mobile Source. 3.9 million vehicles are registered in the whole country. Around 80% use
gasoline and 30% use diesel. Only a small percentage of Filipino own cars, 20% in Metro
Manila. The rest take public transportation.
2. Stationary Sources. Stationary sources that account for most of the air pollution are
emissions from power plants, cement plants and oil refineries.

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION FROM FOSSIL FUELS

Sulfur and nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and soot irritate the mucous
membranes of the respiratory system. If irritation is prolonged, it can lead to respiratory disease-
persistent cough, emphysema, asthma, and other allergies, and worst, cancer. Carbon monoxide
is hazardous because it bonds strongly with hemoglobin of the blood, replacing oxygen. As a
result, the tissue and organs of the body are deprived of the vital gas, oxygen. Ozone causes a
range of acute effects including eyes, nose and throat irritation. It also impairs respiratory
functions. Ozone is a highly oxidizing gas that causes damage to materials so do sulfuric and
nitric acid from sulfur and nitrogen oxide, respectively.

The Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on climate Change

and has ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Under the latter, all signatory countries are committed to
exert all efforts to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. The Protocol invokes a special
commitment from developed countries to reduce their emissions to 5% less than their 1990 levels
between 2008 and 2012. The Protocol will go into effect when it is ratified by 55 countries which
should include developed countries responsible for 55% of the emissions worldwide.

Another class of substances that must be regulated is what is collectively known as

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs are unreactive for mattresses, Styrofoam and insulation.

A group of substances that are common in our everyday lives but are extremely
toxic are known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These are either human-made products.

Radioactivity is the most lethal form of pollution because it can readily destroy cells
and tissues. No more nuclear radiation should be introduced into our environment in addition to
that which naturally occurs in the background environment.

Radioactive emissions come from nuclear power plants even in routine operations.

THE CLEAN AIR ACT

1. Principles which state the over-all mandate of the State

2. Recognition of rights of citizens which the State shall guarantee
3. The noteworthy features of the Air Quality Management Systems are the provisions
regarding airsheds and non-attainment areas.
4. The Act gives an initial list of hazardous air pollutants and guidelines for ambient air
quality.
5. Prohibition and regulation of other substances.
a. Ozone-depleting substances. Consistent with the Montreal Protocol of which the
Philippines is a signatory. ODS shall be phased out.
b. Flourinated Greenhouse Gases identified in Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations
Framework on Climate Change.
c. Framework convention on Climate Change, the DENR shall prepare a plan to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
d. Persistent Organic Pollutants. The DENR shall prepare an inventory of POPs in the
Country and a program for elimination of these substances.
e. Radioactive Substances. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, DENR and
related agencies shall regulate all projects that involve release of radioactive
substances.
f. Pollution from Smoking. Smoking in any enclosed public space including public
vehicles and private spaces outside of one’s residence is strictly prohibited. This
probation shall be implemented by the LGU.
g. Leaded Gasoline. The manufacture, importation, sale, disposal of leaded gasoline
and engines and components requiring leaded gasoline and engines and components
requiring leaded-gasoline is prohibited.