MODULE 4

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Overview: 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 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 have become one of the foremost concerns of the world as
well as the Philippines.

Unit 1: Republic Acts and Other Laws on Environmental Protection

Republic Act No. 9152 - 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.”

Republic Act No. 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 – CMO which mandates the
integration of Environmental Education in the Tertiary Education Curriculum
particularly the Civic Welfare Training Service component in the National Service
Training Program.
That’s why the government made its effort to prevent the rapid destruction of
environment.
1. Republic Act No. 6969- “Toxic Substnaces and hazardous and Nuclear Wastes
Control Act of 1990”. It is stated that it is the policy of the state to regulate,
restrict or prohibit the impormation, manufacture, processing, sale distribution,
use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures that present
unreasonable risk and or injury to health or the environment.

2. Republic Act No. 8749 :Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999.

now known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, was approved by the then
President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on June 23, 1999. The act provides for a 59
comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes, such as the
filing of an administrative action against violators of the standards or
limitations set by the act or any order, rule, or regulation issued by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding such
standard or limitation, as well as the imposition of fines and penalties (for
example, a fine of not more than P100,000 for each day of violation against the
owner or operator of a stationary source until such time that the standards
have been complied with).

Unit 2: Solid Waste Management and Proper Waste Disposal

We have an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude towards garbage disposal. The system
of garbage disposal can be described simply as: tapon (by the individual, household);
hakot (by government trucks and/or private contractors); tambak (in open dumpsites);
kalat (due to improper manner of disposal, retrieval, inadequate collection and over-
congestion in dumpsites); sunog (to burn the pile of uncollected garbage). The cycle is
unending.
As part of the problem, we should break the cycle and take the initiative to be part of
the solution. The tragedy that has befallen the residents of Payatas dump site in
Quezon City, when its mountain of garbage toppled down burying many shanties as
well as garbagepickers, should strengthen our desire to do something about our
wasteful lifestyles.
Schools are cradle of values formation and students form the majority of is
community. When we educate students on the rationale, theories, and practice of solid
waste management, we form a strong alliance with future leaders who would largely
affect the future stewardship of our environment. Paradigm Shift Source: Solid Waste
Management Bureau Module for School. Quezon City: Miriam CollegeEnvironmental
Studies Institute and Environment Management Bureau-DENR, 2005. The following
are the steps on proper waste disposal. Complying with these steps, individuals can
help the government in enacting the enabling laws. This will largely aid the resolution
of ecological problems and contribute to environment-conservation.
This are the steps on proper waste disposal.
The following are the steps on proper waste disposal. Complying with these steps,
individuals can help the government in enacting the enabling laws. This will largely
aid the resolution of ecological problems and contribute to environment-conservation.

I. Segregating- It is the process of separating biodegradable and non-

biodegradable garbage. Biodegradable is a type of waste which can be
broken down in a reasonable amount of time, into its base compounds by
micro-organisms and other living things regardless of what those
compounds may be. On the other hand, non-biodegradable refers to
materials that do not break down naturally or take an inordinate amount of
time to do so. When thrown away, these materials cannot be dissolved by
the bacteria, fungi and living organisms in the air, moisture climate in the
soil.
II. Hence, biodegradable materials decompose naturally unlike non-
biodegradable. From these classifications, sub-groupings could be made
depending on the kind and bulk of waste an establishment produces.
Classifying our wastes will help us dispose garbage properly. Below is table
that shows classification of wastes present in the Country. Generally, wastes
can be classified as biodegradable and non-biodegradable.

III. Composting -It is the process where biodegradable waste is placed in a

certain tank or a hole for a certain time to let it decompose with the help of
decomposers like yeasts, worms, and moulds. After the decomposition, the
decomposed waste can now be used as a fertilizer for plants.
 Steps in composting.
1. Chop biodegradable wastes into finer portions. The smaller the size of
organic wastes, the faster the compost will be ready for use.

2. Mix up the biodegradable wastes and place them into the composters. Do
not burn on top of the piles or composters because the heat will kill the
biological “decomposers”, thus, delaying the composting process.

3. Sprinkle a small amount of water. Moisture is essential for microbial

activity. Protect the composters from accumulating too much liquid to
avoid leaching (garbage juice).

4. Sprinkle or layer with soil so as not to invite flies and to control odors.
Place the soil in between the layers of the mixture.

5. Aerate the pile. Turn it once or twice a month to provide the necessary
oxygen to hasten the composting process

6. When the interior of the pile is no longer hot and the material has broken
down into a dark and dry soil, the composting is finished.

Types of Small-Scale Composters are

1. Twin Pits Dig into (1m x 1m x 1m) one-half meter apart. Put small twigs at the
bottom and place a hollow tube for air inlet. Follow the rules for composting, using the
pits by turns. For an average household, it might take a month to fill each pit, thus
allowing sufficient time for the materials to decompose or mature into soil conditioners

2. Tower Tires Make two piles of old car tires directly on the ground and use them as
containers for composting. To aerate, just insert anything in between the tires. If
placed directly on cemented ground, line the bottom with soil.
3. Bottomless Composters Old drums, cans, plastic water containers with the
bottoms off, even an old jute or rice sack with bottom seam ripped off and supported
by 3 pegs or cheap posts.

4. Clay Flower Pots Compost Have ten flower pots. Use flower pots by turns. By the
time the tenth pot is full, in about a month’s time, empty contents of the first pot and
use as soil conditioner for plants/trees/lawn. Pots may be stacked one on top of
another but keep contents moist.

5. Plastic Bag Composters Line plastic bags with soil, place chopped biodegradable
top with soil/leaves, moisten, then stack them on top of one another while awaiting
collection. In few weeks’ time, these become clean, safe, odorless compost, very good
for plants
6. Compost Bins These may be constructed from chicken wire or any durable
“basket” material for small-scale composting. They are designed to adequately
accommodate the necessary materials or ingredients and to allow access of air.

III. Recycling -It is the most useful and helpful way of waste management. Non-
biodegradable waste can be recycled by creating helpful and useful things out of it like
the plastic bottles can be made as house decorations while used magazines can be
made into beautiful pillows. Recycling can also be a source of income in the
community, can really reduce pollution, save natural resources, and conserve energy
in the households.

Unit 3: Preventing Air Pollution - Air pollution is a life-threatening problem in

Manila. "Air pollution" means any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological
properties of the atmospheric air, or any discharge thereto of any liquid, gaseous or
solid substances that will or is likely to create or to render the air resources of the
country harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety or welfare or which
will adversely affect their utilization for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural,
recreational, or other legitimate purposes (Clean Air Act of 1999).
The Clean Air Act of 1999 Republic Act 8749, -now known as the Philippine Clean
Air Act of 1999, was approved by the then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on June
23, 1999. The act provides for a 59 comprehensive air pollution control policy and for
other purposes, such as the filing of an administrative action against violators of the
standards or limitations set by the act or any order, rule, or regulation issued by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding such standard
or limitation, as well as the imposition of fines and penalties (for example, a fine of not
more than P100,000 for each day of violation against the owner or operator of a
stationary source until such time that the standards have been complied with).

The seven-chapter act- contains provisions for basic air quality policies, air quality
management, air pollution clearances and permits for stationary sources, and
pollution standards for the three sources of air pollutants (stationary sources, motor
vehicles, and other sources). One important section (Sec. 24) prohibits smoking in
public places (buildings, enclosed places, vehicles, or enclosed areas).

The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and
enforcement of this act, but it shall consult, participate, cooperate, and enter into
agreement with other government agencies, or with affected nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) or people’s organizations (POs), or private enterprises. Local
government units (LGUs) shall, likewise, share the responsibility in the management
and maintenance of air quality within their territorial jurisdiction.

Air Pollutants- Air pollutants are any substances in air that could harm humans,
animals, vegetation, or materials when they occur in sufficient concentration. The
pollutants (which may be solid particles, liquid droplets, and/or gases) are generally
grouped into two major types: 1. primary pollutants, which are emitted directly from
sources, and 2. secondary pollutants, which are produced in the air by an interaction
between two or more primary pollutants, with or without sunlight.

Air pollutants like the visible smoky automobile exhaust or the plume from an
industrial chimney invoke public concern because of the health hazards and odor
nuisance they present. Some pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen
oxides (NO ), sulfur dioxide (SO ), and very fine particles, are not visible, but they are
equally or even more damaging for human health and the environment

In the Philippines, the sources of air pollution are of three kinds:

1. mobile sources consisting of transports, such as buses, cars, and motorcycles;

2. stationary sources comprising industries and power plants,
3. area sources like road dust, construction, and burning.

Reducing Air Pollution (as suggested by DENR)

For vehicle owners/motorists

1. Maintain your vehicle engine regularly. Change oil every 5,000 kilometers. Use the
right grade of engine oil. Have regular engine tune-ups.
2. Clean the air filter regularly. It is important to maintain the right amount of air in
the engine to ensure the complete burning of diesel fuel. A dirty air filter can obstruct
the entry of air into the engine.

3. Make sure the engine capacity is suited to the size of the vehicle.

4. Observe proper driving habits. Avoid jackrabbit starts. Always use the correct gear
position.

5. Travel only at speeds set by traffic regulations and suitable to road conditions.

6. Avoid leaving your engine idling.

7. Plan your trips well and save on fuel.

8. Don’t overload. Overloading strains the engine’s capacity. Remove unnecessary

things from the trunk.
9. Keep tires properly inflated.

10. Make sure the exhaust pipes are well-maintained.

For commuters and office workers
1. Take the bus or patronize the mass railway transit whenever you can.

2. Use company vehicles wisely and make sure they are well-maintained.

3. Use natural lighting during the daytime. Make sure that lights use energy efficient.
4. Try talking to the jeepney, bus or tricycle driver about the benefits of proper vehicle
maintenance as well as the high health risks of air pollution and improper driving
practices.
For homeowners and homemakers

1. Use low-watt bulbs or energy-saving lights.

2. Limit the use of air-conditioning units and keep the temperature a few degrees
higher. 3. Don’t burn your garbage.
4. Work with residential associations to stop the burning of garbage in your
neighborhood.
5. Avoid using aerosols.

6. Dispose of refrigerants, refrigeration equipment, and used coolants properly.

For everyone
1. As much as possible, walk or ride your bicycle instead of taking motorized
transport.

2. Report smoke belchers to the MMDA, LTO, and other appropriate local government
units and organizations.
3. Spread the word about the ban or smoking in public places.

4. Talk to people on what they can do about stopping of air pollution.