Will Job Generation Impact on Environment? - Social · PDF filelowlands and coasts. ......

Like the national government, the Bicol RegionalDevelopment Council (RDC) puts povertyreduction as its overriding goal, and job

creation its centerpiece strategy.The Bicol Medium Term Development Plan for

2005 to 2010 aims to reduce poverty incidence byfamily proportion to 26 percent by year 2010 from46 percent in 20001.

The plan aims to generate around 600,000jobs in the next six years. Mining is seen as a majorsource of new jobs. Mineralized areas will beopened to large-scale mining investors in line withthe President’s vision that the country can becomethe fifth mining power in the world. The plan alsoidentifies agriculture and fisheries as the maincontributors to economic growth.

Bicol has long been the country’s source ofgold, fish, rice and coconut yet it remains one of thepoorest regions. Worse, its ecosystems are de-graded and may not sustain the demands of anincreasing population.

Mining may bring in jobs and revenues, butalso destroy the upland areas as well as the

Will Job Generation Impacton Environment?

lowlands and coasts. Improving on agricultureseems to be a better alternative if it utilizes envi-ronment-friendly technologies that respond prima-rily to local food security.

Bicol must learn from the Marinduque miningdisaster in the 1990s and the recent Quezontragedy in 2004. The natural resources here wereexploited for short-term economic gains and indisregard of sustainable development.

The Bicol face of povertyAlmost half or 46 percent of Bicolano families

live below the poverty threshold in 2000, accordingto the Family Income and Expenditure Survey. Thismakes it the second poorest region after theAutonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)2.There were 2.6 million individuals or 413,513families who were poor. The largest segment of thepoor is in the province of Masbate which, along withCamarines Norte, belongs to the top 10 poorestprovinces. The region’s annual per capita povertythreshold is P11,524 (2000). Only 40,510 families“graduated” from poverty since 1997.

53

SOCIAL WATCH PHILIPPINES

By Magdalena C. Monge, Dante O. Bismonte, Joselito Gonzales and Amor R. Cabico*

* Magdalena C. Monge is a research-writer; Dante O. Bismonte is the SWP-South Luzon Convenor and Board of Trustees of PRRM; Joselito Gonzalesis the Manager of PRRM-Marinduque; and Amor R. Cabico is the Manager of PRRM-Quezon.

Will Job Generation Impact on Environment?54


Bicol’s 4.7 million population in 2000 isexpected to grow to 5.2 million by year 2005. Theadditional half million people would need additionalfood, homes, schools, and health services. Morethan 15,000 students in the elementary and highschool are added to the school-going populationyearly but the teaching force and physical facilitiesare not correspondingly expanding3. The risingpopulation level also means added pressure on theenvironment.

In 2003, 34 percent of preschoolers wereseverely and moderately malnourished owing toinadequacy and deficiency of food intake, recurringinfections and poor environmental sanitation andlarge family size. Only 66 percent of the populationhad access to safe drinking water in 2000. Under-five child mortality increased from 1998 to 2003 dueto inadequate and inaccessible health facilities andpersonnel, especially in remote areas.

In 2003, Bicol had over 2 million people in thelabor force, of which 171,000 were unemployed,mostly men. Women were absorbed more in thelow-earning informal economic sectors. Agricultureemployed more than 40 percent of the labor force.Retrenchments in the services (trade, transportationand communication) and industry sectors (construc-tion, manufacturing and mining) increased theunemployment.

Poverty reduction in the next six yearsThe RDC’s battlecry is ORAGON! or One

Region Accelerating Growth through Optimum Useof Natural Resources. It captures the strategiesoutlined in the Regional Medium-Term DevelopmentPlan (MTDP) for 2005 to 2010.

To propel growth in agricultural production,Bicol will be developed into the food basket ofLuzon.

In terms of job creation, however, the highestcontribution will be generated from the tourism andhousing sectors, followed by trade and investmentpromotion. There is no estimate yet on the contri-bution of the infrastructure sector.

Not only is Bicol region one of the poorest, itsrich-poor gap is among the highest. It registered agini coefficient of .45 in 2000, much in the samelevel as the country’s.

Environmental decline has not been arrested.Anti-poverty strategies like productivity enhance-ment had a negative impact on the environment.The current agriculture systems and mining tech-nologies had degraded the land and water re-sources jeopardizing hopes of sustaining foodproduction and restoring a balanced environment.Ricelands have been degraded, crops like abacainfested, coconut lands reduced, and fish stocknearly depleted.

The Medium-Term Development Frameworkincorporates sustainable management of theenvironment. It looks good on paper. But experi-ences with past development strategies lead mostBicolanos to question its reliability. With the MTDPframework comes the development target. The Bicolregion will be developed in relation to the rest ofLuzon as a geothermal energy producer, agri-industrial production center, mineral-based produc-tion center, food basket of Luzon, ecotourismdestination, and as south Luzon’s gateway toVisayas, Mindanao and the Pacific. Economic growthand job creation will greatly depend on agri-industryand natural resources assessed to be the region’scompetitive advantage. Pili, pineapple, abaca,furniture, marine products, coconut, ceramics, andbamboo are among them. The problem here lieswith the kind of technologies to be employed inorder to meet the demand for outside market.Reliance on inorganic agriculture technologies isone. Production will surely demand mono-croppingand plantation type farming which will again notmeet the diverse food needs of the household,reinforcing malnutrition.

The environment and natural resourcessectors are expected to provide only about 12,000jobs.

Sector Target No. of Jobs

Trade and Investment Promotion 95,700 Agribusiness 33,757 Environment and natural resources 12,050 Housing 152,344 Tourism 231,000

Taken form the RDC Plan 2005-2010

Computed form the RDC Plan 2005-2010

Environment and Natural Resources Target No. of Jobs

Land surveys 840 Land distribution 60 Community-based forest management (as agribusiness) 990

Forest products utilization 1,200 Grazing lands 2,610 Mangroves development 4,350 Mineral industry (large-scale) 2,000 Total 12,050

55Will Job Generation Impact on Environment?


Minerals of course are another focus. Mining isenvironmentally destructive, especially in areas thatcould perpetually react to heavy metals pollutingsoils and water systems. This hazard is a characterof the Philippine archipelago, according to authori-ties in natural sciences. Large-scale mining projectswill be opened in Rapu-rapu Island, Albay andAroroy, Masbate. Meanwhile, explorations are beingundertaken in Ragay-Del Gallego, Camarines Surand in Larap, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte.Small scale mines will also be developed in the GoldRush areas of Masbate, clay mines in Siruma,Camarines Sur, Paracale-Jose Panganiban andLarap.

Pollution, waste and other environmentalproblems are expected to arise with the establish-ment of these economic zones:

• Bicol Regional Agri-industrial Center inLegazpi City

• Legazpi City Special Economic Zone• Tiwi Ecozone in Tiwi, Albay• Global Industrial Maritime Complex in Jose

Panganiban, Camarines Norte• Bicol Industrial Park in Bula, Camarines Sur• Isarog Heights Special Economic Zone in Pili,

Camarines Sur• Naga Agro-industrial Center• Sta Rita Industrial Park in PiliAt first glance, calculated revenues from

minerals and ecozones could be staggering, but canthe poor directly benefit from them? What impactwill agriculture, industrial parks and mining createon air, water, forests, coasts, rivers, biodiversity,climate and lowland areas? How many rural peoplewill be displaced to accommodate these so-calledeconomic investments? Can Bicolanos find relieffrom poverty and still live in a balanced environ-ment, come 2010 or 2015?

The state of the Bicol environmentBicol is a mixture of ecosystems consisting of

forests, marginal lands, lowland/agriculture ecosys-tem, urban ecosystem, freshwater ecosystem,coastal and marine ecosystem, coral reef, seagrassand soft-bottom, and island ecosystems4. Thisecosystems mix covers the entire region (total landarea of 1,763,249 hectares). The region has fourmainland provinces: Camarines Norte, CamarinesSur, Albay and Sorsogon; two island provinces:Catanduanes and Masbate. It has seven cities:

BICOL REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORKCY 2005 - 2010

POVERTYREDUCTION

INTEGRATEDDELIVERY OF BASICSOCIAL SERVICES

ECONOMICGROWTH ANDJOB CREATION

INFRASTRUCTUREAND LOGISTICS

SUPPORT

SUSTAINABLEMANAGEMENT

OF THEENVIRONMENT

KNOWLEDGENETWORKING

GOOD GOVERNANCE

Priva

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Civi

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iety

Priva

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Civi

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Fiscal and FinacialReforms

Internal SecurityPublic and PrivateSector



Naga and Iriga in Camarines Sur; Legazpi, Ligaoand Tabaco in Albay; Sorsogon City in Sorsogonand Masbate City in Masbate. It has a total of 14Districts, 107 municipalities and 3,471 barangays.

In the last decade from 1992 to 2001, Bicollost 34,250 hectares of forest reserves. These are17 protected forest areas and watersheds with atotal area of 60,486 hectares that include MayonVolcano National Park, Mt. Isarog Natural Park,Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, Bicol National Park,Libmanan Caves National Park and CaramoanNational Park, among others.

The rate of forest degradation is 11,172hectares per year caused by conversion to agricul-ture, mining, infrastructure and human settlements;fire, calamities and continued illegal logging andutilization of forest products. Most mining areas arelocated in mountains where there are watersheds.The degree of forest degradation can become tragicas seen in what happened to Real, Infanta andGeneral Nakar in the Quezon province. Bicol hasonly but half of the ideal forest cover of 60 percentland area to complement its hilly and uplandtopography, and is a typhoon trail. Remainingclassified forest lands only constitute 30 percent,and of the total area classified as such, only one-fifth has actual forest cover5. An estimated 12,800million cubic meters of run-off freshwater areflushed out of forests and watershed areas annu-ally, flooding lowlands and ricefields, and causingsedimentation of coral reefs and coastlines.

Besides the trees and wildlife, traditional Agta(indigenous peoples) communities exercisingcustomary rights over the forest have been dis-persed, leading to weakened control over resourceuse. Forest cover is so diminished it could belikened to buttocks covered by a skimpy t-back.

Opening wide the mineral areasBicol abounds with 10 metallic (gold, zinc,

nickel, lead, iron, etc) and 13 nonmetallic minerals(marble, clay, perlite, limestone, gypsum, guano,bentonite, etc.). Limestone alone constitutes 3.8billion metric tons, with the largest deposit found in

Camarines Sur. Gold, silver and copper are inCamarines Norte, Masbate and Albay. Almost allprovinces have iron deposits.

The bulk of mining in Bicol is in small-scalemining, accounting for a total sales value of P61.99million, mostly from sand and gravel, aggregates,limestone and clay. There are four small-scalemining districts – in Aroroy in Masbate, Siruma inCamarines Sur, Paracale-Panganiban and Larap inCamarines Norte. Recently opened was the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project. The feasibility study onMasbate Gold project is being finalized. There are

ongoing exploration works in DelGallego-Ragay, Camarines Surfor copper and evaluation of irondeposits in Camarines Norte. TheRDC plans to open up at leasttwo large-scale mining areas.There are 319 mining applica-tions covering 558,046 hectaresor 33 percent of the region’s totalland area6.

Small-scale mining has been the bulk of miningactivities in the region. The unregulated informalmining sector is providing temporary jobs to 4,000people. Mining investment in 2001 accounted toP2,750 million, however, with Camarines Nortehaving most of mines (small & large scales), it is the10th poorest province in the country. Instead ofreduction the poverty incidence in the provinceincreased from 49.7 percent in 1997 to 52.7 percentin 2000. Masbate has a similar situation.

Host mining communities which were suppos-edly benefited have long been and still are raisingrelevant issues. There is the case of GoodfoundCement plant in Palanog, Camalig, Albay, blamedfor the decreasing water supply in some Guinobatanbarangays and the rise in respiratory ailments.However, the DENR said7 that the company hasalready gained ISO 14000, a certification of compli-ance with international environmental managementstandards.

In Camarines Sur, the Mountain Isarog NaturalPark is in peril from treasure-hunting in severalprotected sites. In the town of Baao, perlite exca-vated by a quarry operating under a special permitendangers the water supply of barangays downhill.In Camarines Norte, child labor is exploited in thegold mines of Paracale, Labo and Jose Panganiban;besides, vast areas of land are idle because ofmercury pollution. In Rapu-Rapu island, abandonedopen pit mines remain agriculturally unproductiveand threaten inland water bodies and surroundingcoasts.

Category 1992 2001

Classified Forest Lands 484,086 511,316 Established forest reserves 104,189 69,939 Established Timber Land 351,420 412,996 National Parks, Game Refuge & Biodiversity Sanctuaries & Wildlife Areas 25,276 25,276

Civil Reservation 159 63 Fishpond 3,042 3,042



A phenomenon called acid mine drainage(AMD)8, typical in archipelagos like the Philippines, isthe main reason for productivity loss of abandonedmines. AMD is the pollution of water with high levelsof iron, aluminum and sulfuric acid that has long-term devastating effects on rivers, streams, andaquatic life. Mined areas in other parts of the worldcould not solve this problem.

Bicol river system is the drainageThe nearest drainage of agriculture, industrial

and residential waste is the freshwater ecosystemwhich encompasses all inland bodies of flowingwater (streams, rivers) and standing water (lakes,reservoir, ponds). Above all, these are importantresource base for fisheries, agricultural irrigationand even tourism sectors. The Bicol River Basin,with a drainage area of 3,770 km2, is eighth in sizeamong the larger river basins in the country. It liesacross three provinces, with about 90 percent of thearea in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay,and the remaining 10 percent in Camarines Norte.Its 1.3 million population depends mainly on agricul-ture and fishing. About 5,800 fishers are making aliving out of the lake systems. With Bicol in thetyphoon path, flooding is extensive, aggravated bythe tidal backwater effect and storm surges thattravel up the river system. This situation alsocontributes to saline water intrusion, limiting the useof water for irrigation.

Several upper watersheds are degraded,causing an increase in run-off and soil erosionwhich lead to poor productivity and damage toinfrastructure every year. Fish catch has declined intwo lakes, Bato and Baao, owing to over-caging,loss of spawning areas and migration routes, andlow water level. Lake Baao now nearly disappearsin the dry season. A third lake, Buhi, is encounter-ing management problems due to conflicts inincreasing water demand from fishery, hydro-power, irrigation and the preservation of theendemic fish sinarapan.

Pollution of the lower basin from untreatedsewage and industrial wastes from Naga City andurban areas adversely affects the fisheries. Thehigh incidence of water-borne diseases also point tothe need for improved rural drinking supply.

Poisoning of agriculture ecosystemAgriculture is the backbone of Bicol’s economy.

Land used for agriculture comprise half (50.76percent) of the region’s total land area. Theexpanding urbanization, however, has reduced muchof previous agricultural lands, thus even forest lands

were converted. The adoption of high-yieldingvarieties (HYV) by farmers and the wholesalepromotion by the government have endangered theecosystem itself. There was substantial loss ingenetic diversity of rice and other common crops.This technology had also required the farmers touse expensive chemical fertilizers and pesticidesthat contaminated food and water. Intensivechemical use did not only affect the lowland areasbut also midland and upland planted to corn andvegetables. Since monocropping was practiced fordecades, abaca which had been a Bicol pride easilysuccumbed to pests and diseases.

Even coconut farmers ceased to diversifycrops, hence, valuable land spaces became unpro-ductive with the advent of high-value crops. Mostvarieties demanded by agri-business corporationswere not the same as the traditional varieties thatuplanders used to plant. Traditional coffee beans,for instance, lost their market value. To catch upwith the trend, farmers focused on more popularcrops like pineapple, ube and cassava, to the pointof clearing trees including coconut just to accom-modate sun-loving plant varieties. Coconut treecutting persisted despite a legal ban because of thelow price of copra in the last decade and the greedytendencies of landowners to get more from theirlands subjected to agrarian reform.

Agricultural ecosystems suffered much.Inorganic farming and overcultivation destroyed thesoil structure and depleted natural nutrients andorganic matter. Farmers blame the monopoly onfarm inputs by big corporations for the high cost ofproduction that they sustain through loans. Thecurrent farming system has led to food and nutritioninsecurity because after each harvest, products are



wholly traded to pay for loans. Because they wereconditioned to stick to monocropping practices toattain high yields, farmers have forgotten to plantother crops for their own household needs.

A new threat in the form of geneticallymodified organisms (GMOs) is now being introducedto local farming communities. Field testing of Btcorn has been completed and the seeds are now inthe market. GMOs are potentially hazardous to theenvironment because they affect the genes of nativecrops through cross pollination.

Agricultural lands have also been lost due toconversion to residential subdivisions. This is mostevident in the cities of Legaspi and Naga, followingthe trend in developing metro areas. Meanwhile,marginally productive upland areas were cultivated,and forest areas continued to decrease in size.

Urban ecosystemUrban ecosystems are centers for human

settlements with corresponding support services.The urban areas of Bicol region have a per capitapoverty threshold of P13,659. Based on this incomelevel, there were 84,554 families who were poor in2000. The region now has seven cities, and moremunicipalities are rapidly urbanizing, giving way toinmigration. For 2001 – 2004, the total housingneed in the region was estimated at 185,846 units— a housing backlog of 29,256 units and futureneed of 156,608 units. This translates to an annualhousing need of 46,466 units.

Additional housing means more cement,lumber, sand and gravel, iron, steel and otherconstruction materials that need to be extractedfrom the environment. An urban area also has todeal with the solid and liquid waste generated byresidential, commercial and industrial areas. NagaCity alone generated solid waste at a rate of 157cubic meters per day in 1998, which had an in-crease of 20 metric tons from 1996. Average dailyper capita waste generation rate is 420 grams. Withan average of five persons per household, eachhousehold generates about 2.1 kilograms of solidwaste everyday. Thirty five percent of the totalgarbage collected is from the Naga City PublicMarket.

To manage the waste problem, an assess-ment of the environmental conditions of potentialsanitary landfill sites is being conducted in Manito,Albay; San Fernando, Camarines Sur, and Gubat,Sorsogon.

Pollution is aggravated by the increasednumber of transport vehicles in urban areas. Airquality monitoring was conducted in the cities of

Naga, Iriga, and Legaspi, but only Naga has estab-lished an airshed multisectoral board.

Coastal and marine ecosystemThe Coastal ecosystem consists of mangrove,

seagrass and coral reefs. Being surrounded bywater, Bicol has 16 major fishing grounds alongextensive coastlines indented with numerous baysand gulfs. Six of the fishing grounds are among therichest in the country: Lagonoy Gulf, Lamon Bay,Ragay Gulf, Visayan Sea, Samar Sea and SibuyanSea. Major marine species caught are siganids andtuna. The famous whaleshark or butanding can beseen in Burias Strait. Around 87,000 full-time and53,000 part-time fishers are dependent on marinefisheries.

The bays and gulfs are mostly characterizedby too many fishermen and too few fish. Theseareas are municipal waters under the jurisdiction ofthe LGUs but local officials are unable to strictlyenforce the law and require license fees andpermits. Their catch declining and unable to findalternative livelihood, some small-scale fishersresort to illegal fishing. Competition for resources istight owing to pressure from uncontrolled migrationand poverty in coastal villages.

Conflicts regularly erupt between small-scalefishers and trawlers or bigtime fishers from as faras the Visayas islands encroaching Bicol municipalwaters. Organized task forces and deputized fisherywardens are actually experiencing harassment insome hot spot areas, as what happened recently inDonsol, Sorsogon9.

Other problems in the coastal areas arepollution from domestic and untreated industrial



waste; siltation owing to deforestation, acid minetailings, mangrove conversion into fishponds,dredging and infrastructures that crowd out thenatural habitat. The discharge from abandonedmines in Rapu-rapu has already affected LagonoyGulf, extending to the coastal areas of Sorsogon10.San Miguel Bay coral reefs in Camarines Sur areheavily sedimented, particularly in the area wherethe Bicol river drains. The El Niño in 1998 alsocontributed to the bleaching of coral reefs located inareas facing the Pacific Ocean.

There are 35 marine protected areas (MPAs)in Bicol but only 14 are considered operational11.The Bicol University is leading in managing MPAs inpartnership with LGUs and BFAR since it is a strate-gic response to address the dwindling marineresources. One MPA is the San Miguel Island MarineFishery Reserve in Lagonoy Gulf, endowed with vastcoral reefs and seagrass/algal beds. One square kmof healthy coral reef produces 20-35 metric tons offish each year, enough to feed 400-700 Bicolanos.

Problem with environmentallaw enforcement

Environmental law enforcement remains aproblem, partly because of corruption and lack oflegal support from the agency itself. The DENRreported in 2003 that more than 500 cases havebeen filed against forestry, fishery and otherenvironmental law violations, yet very few casesprosper because prosecution is basically weak. Afterfiling of charges in court, the DENR routinely leavesthe task to public prosecutors.

However, the Tanggol Kalikasan said there arefiscals who are actually handicapped on environ-mental laws. This problem is aggravated by weak-ness in the presentation of witnesses and evidence.But the worst problem is with prosecutors andjudges who accept protection money. In the case ofMountain Isarog Natural Park, a recent fact-findingmission found out that a municipal trial court judgeis the operator behind a treasure-hunting excavationwithin the protected area12.

DENR’s assessmentAccording to DENR Regional Executive Director

Oscar M. Hamada, the region’s present environmen-tal state is a result of composite factors13. Amongthese are the periodic typhoons that causes heavydamage to forest and coastal resources, includinglowland areas; prevalence of poverty, promptingmany poor people to illegally cut trees from theforests, engage in kaingin, gather forest productsand overexploit the already diminished natural

resources; bourgeoning population many of themunemployed and without viable livelihood; and aprofit-centered approach to entrepreneurshipwithout due regard for the health of the environ-ment, resulting in massive exploitation. Wrongvalues of people are also being blamed.

The DENR admits that on its own, it haslimited budget and manpower. Since it could not dothe job alone, the agency has embarked on net-working and partnerships with Department ofInterior and Local Government (DILG), LGUs, NGOs,POs, and academic institutions. Co-managementapproaches are expected to create jobs andimprove forest cover as a result of localized andincreased investments by LGUs and private sectorsin forest plantations.

Past ecological interventionsIn the last decade, the ecosystems and

protected areas received varying levels of interven-tion by the government, civil society organizationsand the enlightened corporate sector.

According to the DENR 2003 report, theagency gave priority to communal forests, commu-nity watersheds, greenbelts, tree parks and refor-estation areas. From 1989 to 2003, it reforested14,398 hectares of uplands. Eighty-one IntegratedSocial Forestry Programs were established toprevent further kaingin and shifting agriculture. In1997, the agency launched the Community-BasedForest Management Program where communitiesare given the privilege to manage and rehabilitate,allowing them to benefit from its forest products.Thirty-eight CBFM Agreements were forged,supported by 57 people’s organizations covering42,752 hectares. The ecosystem approach wasadopted for 14 watershed areas. To conservebiodiversity, 14 Protected Area Management Boardswere strengthened. Greening programs in urbanand rural areas were intensified with the establish-ment of 31 mini-forests. Land owners were alsoencouraged to plant trees resulting in 1,853 hect-ares of private tree plantations.

To improve forest protection capability, 10multisectoral forest protection committees repre-senting varied sectors were organized to trackillegal activities. More than 500 cases of ForestryCode violations were filed in court. Staff of LGUs,NGOs and POs were trained to evaluate sites andinspect accomplished activities.

To mitigate air and water pollution, DENRworked with LGUs on anti-smoke belching cam-paigns, air and water quality monitoring. Surfacewater bodies in 25 classified rivers were regularly



monitored. It also supported the LGU waste man-agement programs.

Several nongovernment organizations haveprovided interventions to protect the environment.Each has varying level of resources, some operate ina single large or small location, some have scatteredpilot communities, and others covered the entireregion through networking. Below are examples:

There are no consolidated data on the outputsor impact of NGO interventions on poverty andenvironment. However, the NEDA Regional Director,Marlene Rodriguez, said that environmental projectsand advocacy of NGOs really counted particularly inthe area of public awareness and advocatingcommitments from among LGUs15.

On the other hand, there were numerouscommunity-based organizations (CBOs) whichactually provided significant contributions in rehabili-tating forests and coastal resources, and guardingthem from illegal activities to the point of riskingtheir lives. In most cases, these CBOs started onlyas mere recipients of government and non-govern-ment projects, expecting some material monetarybenefit that would gradually wean them away fromtotal dependence to natural resources extraction.Through education and exposures, there wereexceptional community leaders who had developeda deeper level of commitment pushing them todefend their efforts in the face of corrupt andsometimes armed environmental adversaries16.

The people committed to environmentalprotection remain poor today despite protecting thetrees, coasts and biodiversity. Worse, they aresubject to life threatening situations. There aredeputized officers and organizations like DENRforest rangers, the forest and coastal wardens, andthe community-based environmental groups. In thecourse of their duty, there are many of them whoselives and dignities are threatened with counter-lawsuits, and physical and mental harassments.

Challenges: Alleviating poverty bypreserving the environment

Bicolanos want sustainable development,through environmentally sound practices that wouldmaintain and enhance the productivity of theresource base ultimately leading to improvement ofincome and general quality of life. However, timeseems to be running out for the government whichseeks to address poverty in order to graduate asignificant number of poor families from the state ofbeing poor to non-poor. This is the general objectiveof the Bicol Development Plan for 2005 – 2010. Butupon careful examination of the strategies forpoverty alleviation, there are significant componentsthat will not really lead to sustainable development.Agriculture and mining are definitely problematic.

In the last quarter of 2004, a series of consul-tations and workshops were initiated by differentsectors, both public and private, in the Bicol region.The civil society organizations (CSOs) have initia-tives parallel to the government’s call, through NEDA

Data were taken from the series of consultations, meetings and workshops wherethe writer had participated14

Organization Program Intervention on Environment Location

CARE Phils Sustainablemanagement of Mt. Isarog territories

Mt. Isarog Natural Park, Camarines Sur

Plan International Bicol Sustainable livelihoods for communities and families of sponsored children, theater arts among children

Bicol National Park, Mt. Isarog Natural Park

Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)

Capability building, organizing of resource management councils

Jose Panganiban, Paracale and Labo, Camarines Norte Rinconada District, Sipocot & Libmanan, Camarines Sur Tabaco, Bacacay and Malilipot, Albay

Movement for Accelerated Development Efforts in Bicol (MADE)

Nursery and agro-forestry Pili, Camarines Sur

Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) Environmental law education; legal assistance; media advocacy

Legazpi city-based with current networking efforts in Mt. Isarog, Mt. Bulusan Sorsogon, Tabaco, Catanduanes State College, Camarines Sur State Agricl College

Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources

Information and capability building

Coordinating with the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College

CSSAC Development Foundation Inc. Researches and advocacy Pili, Cam Sur

Hiwas Catandungan Volunteer mobilization for environment advocacy

Virac, Catanduanes with provincial scope

Coalition for Bicol Development (CBD) Environmental advocacy Naga City with regional

scope Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR)

Environmental natural science researches

Ateneo de Naga University with regional in scope

Social Action Center (SAC) of Legazpi

Community organizing and advocacy

Legazpi City with provincial scope

Social Action Center (SAC) of Sorsogon


Sorsogon City with provincial scope

Prelature of Libmanan Development Foundation, Inc. (PLDFI)

Community organizing and advocacy Libmanan, Cam Sur

Camarines Sur Social Action Foundation, Inc. (CASAFI)


Naga City with provincial scope

Socio-Pastoral Action Center Foundation, Inc. (SPACFI)

Community organizing and advocacy Daet, Camarines Norte

Pook Mirasol Center for Appropriate Technology (POMCAT)

Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions through the Use of Renewable Energy Resources

Basud, Daet, Labo & Mercedes, Camarines Norte

World Wildlife Fund Conservation program in whaleshark area of Burias pass

Donsol, Sorsogon

TAMBUYOG Coastal resources management Sorsogon

Center for Community Development Community organizing Ateneo de Naga

Naga City People’s Council Environmental advocacy Naga City



and DILG, for the newly installed governors andmayors to incorporate the MDGs in their plans andprograms, with poverty alleviation as priorityconcern. CSOs have much to do in influencing thegovernment decision makers from the level of theRegional Development Council down to the provin-cial, city, municipal and barangay levels of gover-nance, where the real battle is fought.

Mining for domestic industries, or elseSensitive issues like mining could not wait to

be implemented while glaring negative impacts ofpast and current similar projects are being sufferedby several communities in the region. In all of theforums where CSOs discuss environment, furtherdestruction is viewed to be leading to tragic inci-dents like the one experienced in Quezon, NuevaEcija, Aurora, and recently in one coastal town ofCamarines Sur17.

The Philippines may become the 5th miningpower in the world18 as the country ranks 3rd ingold, 4th in copper, 5th in nickel and 6th in chromitedeposits. But Filipinos may also become the poorestpeople living in the worst degraded environment.Generating a measly 2,000 jobs for the Bicolanosout of mining at the expense of the various ecosys-tems will not resolve the problem of poverty. It ishard to risk the remaining forests, regeneratedfarmlands and marine resources because definitely,clean air, fresh water and food security are basicnecessities for human survival, and even forassured quality life.

There are various stands on mining but agroup of CSOs under the Bicol Environment Advo-cacy Network (BEAN) pushes for the indefiniteprohibition of opening new mining areas anywherein the region. They are demanding for the strictenforcement of laws in existing mines and eventualclosure for violators19. However, one private sectorrepresentative to the RDC is considering miningstrictly for domestic needs and not the raw ore andmineral demand of export market. The Mines andGeosciences Bureau can be more active assistingvillage level projects that support agricultureinstead of large scale and environmentally hostilemining projects. Red clay, ball clay and diatomiteare used in pottery and earthen wares that serve ascontainer gardens, vermicomposting vessel(excellent for growing earthworms for fertilizersand feed additives for fish and poultry), jars aswater vessels instead of plastic jugs, and clayvegetable refrigerators. Clay is also best for bricksand roofing tiles (for housing construction), stovesand ovens, and rice hull carbonizers. Silica is usedfor glass wares (for processed food containers),laboratory equipments, and additional ingredientfor ceramics. Iron will best serve the fabrication offarm and garden tools, agricultural equipmentsand implements (coco fiber decorticators, pilinutcrackers, water pumps, and rice mills), housingand building construction.

Institute for Environmental Conservation andResearch (INECAR) of Ateneo de Naga , on theother hand, strongly suggests the recycling of



metals which are abundant in dumpsites. This is abetter alternative in support to importation ofimportant metals which are mined from largecontinents of the world where AMD is not aphenomenon and environmental regeneration ispossible. Recycling may be costly, but still faroutweighs the loss of forests and destruction ofagricultural and coastal ecosystems. Simplelifestyles like the abandonment of jewelries willprevent more mining of gold. Regulated construc-tion of buildings like essential shelter only cansave much on the cutting of trees, quarrying oflimestone, and mining of marble and iron ores. Itwill also trigger the narrowing of gap betweenthe rich and the poor by preventing affluence insociety.

Local industry and agriculturecomplementation

The Industry Sector can support the Agricul-ture Sector. Organic rice farming is one bestexample where investors would be creating a verystrong use of his capital in mobilizing local labor –to produce organic fertilizer, indigenous plantingmaterials and improved farming practices. It alsosaves the community from toxic chemicals used byconventional farming. On top of it all, the workersbecome healthier than before while the investorgets a good value for his/her money without braindrain or capital flight.

Incentives and support must be given toindustries and farmers working to arrest malnutri-tion. Bicol is rich in indigenous nutritious foods thatcan be produced at the level of rural households,and even in volume to supply urban centers,

through organic farming. This is why CSOs areunited in calling for the banning of GMO productionanywhere in Bicol region because manipulation ofgenes is not necessary to produce high yielding andresistant crops. Rather, retrieval and propagation oftraditional rice varieties, vegetables, fruits and otherfood crops must be given attention.

Government subsidies to organic farmers mustbe provided. The National Food Authority, forinstance, should set-up a special procurement fundfor organic rice and corn. Highly diversified farmsand gardens instead of market driven monocropfarms must be supported by the Department ofAgriculture and LGUs with appropriate research anddevelopment. A genetic pool especially accessible tofarmers must complement the Research andDevelopment (R & D). Sustainable agricultureconcepts, methods and strategies must be institu-tionalized at all levels, including mandatory patronageof compost and other soil supplements produced bylocal manufacturers. For consumer protection, localmonitoring and product standardization bodies forlocally produced organic foods, compost and soilsupplements will have to be set-up.

To support the composting industry andcomply with the Clean Air Act, local ordinances mustreinforce the prohibition in burning rice straws andrice hulls, instead, actively promote carbonizationprojects to produce fertilizers and generate jobs.

Agricultural lands and watershedProtection

To insure food sufficiency and water supply,agricultural lands and watershed areas must beprotected against non essential land developmentprojects such as residential subdivisions, commer-cial complexes and mining. Mandatory production inagricultural lands that is idle can be made andpenalties to land owners who keep their landsunproductive should be imposed. Indigenous(native) tree species must be used for watershedand forest rehabilitation. Surrounding farms adja-cent to protected areas must have mandatoryadoption of sustainable agriculture sloping agricul-ture land technologies.

The rights of community dwellers to enhanceincome through Community-Based Forest Manage-ment must be guaranteed.

Building the nature-based industryA new type of investment will emerge as

people become more nature friendly. Small capitalis necessary to establish the following enterprises:

• plant nurseries of indigenous plant species



BIBLIOGRAPHY1 Regional Development Council, Proposed Medium-Term Develop-

ment Plan for Bicol Region (2005-2010).

2 National Statistical Coordination Board Region V, Regional Socio-Economic Trends 2003.

3 POPCOM5, Bicol Population Situationer presented during the PPMPDirectional Planning Conference, December 8, 2004, NEDAConference Hall, Legazpi City.

4 HARIBON Foundation & Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Basic Environmen-tal Course for Beginners Training Manual. 1995.

5 DENR, Environment and Natural Resources Situationer. Conferenceon Bicol State of the Environment vis-avis Sustainable Develop-

(food crops, medicinal plants and forest species)• animal nurseries of indigenous animal stocks

(poultry and swine, cattle and small ruminants)• permaculture farms (organic fruits, veg-

etables, cereals and animals integrating the highestpossible number of animals and plant species)

• production plants of natural plant extractsfor pesticides and medicines

• feedmills• urban outlets of organic products and

restaurants of organic foods• agri and eco-tourism packagesIndustries must be powered with renewable

energy resources such as microhydro power plants,rice hull gasifiers, biogas digesters, and solar homesystems among others. Investment on rural electri-fication should make use of cleaner energy sources.This must be coupled with the establishment ofpermaculture habitat models at the village clustersto promote sustainable agriculture, decent housing,clean energy, and food sufficiency.

Poverty and environmental degradation areinterrelated. The Marinduque and Quezon tragediesshould serve as deterrent to Bicol region. A greatmajority of the country’s poor are in the ruralareas, earning their living from the natural resourcebase. It is this important to protect and conservethe life support systems if the goals of providingsustained livelihood and generating economicgrowth are to be achieved.

ment. November 23 - 24, 2004. Casablanca Hotel, Legazpi City.Sponsored by Coalition for Bicol Development.

6 Mines and Geosciences Bureau presentation during the Conferenceon Bicol State of the Environment vis-avis Sustainable Develop-ment. November 23 - 24, 2004. Casablanca Hotel, Legazpi City.

7 Gilbert Gonzales, DENR presentation, November 23 - 25.Casablanca Hotel, Legazpi City.

8 Emelina G. Regis. Compendium of Researches on Mining andPoverty. INECAR, Ateneo de Naga. Presented during thediscussion held on December 11, 2004 at the Ateneo de Naga.

9 Testimony of a member of Task Force Sagip Kalikasan in Donsol,Sorsogon. November 13, 2004.

10 Testimony of a PRRM Chapter member who is residing in theTabaco and Rapu-rapu area, Albay. November 13, 2004.

11 Victor S. Soliman, San Miguel Island Marine Fishery Reserve,Philippines: Lessons on Local Leadership, Public Test Fishing andAcademe LGU Partnership. Bicol University Tabaco Campus,Tabaco City.

12 Fact-finding report (June 11, 2004) released by the Inter-AgencyTask Force composed of DENR-PAO Isarog, CARE-Phils, TanggolKalikasan, Anduyog Isarog, Alliance for the Protection of Isarog,local media representatives, EAGLES-HAGAHAG of Ateneo deNaga, Mt. Isarog Guardians, Commission on Human Rights,National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and CIDG.

13 Oscar M. Hamada, Bicol Region’s State of Environment. DENR 5,2003.

14 Series of environmental workshops in Bicol conducted from Octoberto December, 2004: Environmental Advocacy Orientation Workshopsponsored by Tanggol Kalikasan in cooperation with CARE Phils andPRRM held on October 21-22 at BIGLEAD Training Center, Pili, CS;Regional Consultation on the Drafting of Philippine EnvironmentCode led by Naga City People’s Council, October 27, NagaEcopark, Naga City; PRRM Bicol POs Cluster Workshop, November10 – 12, Baao, Cam Sur; Bicol Environmental Advocates Meeting,November 13, BIGLEAD, Pili, CS; Cam Sur Green Media Meeting,November 13, Kings Restaurant, Mayon Ave., Naga City;Conference on Bicol State of the Environment vis-avis SustainableDevelopment, sponsored by Coalition for Bicol Development,November 23 – 24, Casablanca Hotel, Legazpi City; and UniversityForum on the Compendium of Researches on Mining and Poverty,sponsored by Ateneo de Naga, December 11, Ateneo de Naga.

15 Video Interview by the writer with NEDA Regional Director held ather office in Arimbay, Legazpi City on August 23, 2004.

16 Sharing during the Environmental Advocacy Orientation andWorkshop held at BIGLEAD Training Center, Pili, Camarines Sur,October 21-22, 2004.

17 On December 12, eight people died from a landslide in sitio Hubo,Bulaobalite, Tinambac, Camarines Sur. The landslide occurred afterseveral days of rains that made the unprotected wall of thehighway collapsed burying the residents nearby.

18 Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Blanche S. Rivera & Michelle V. Remo. RPcould be world’s 5th mining power, says GMA. PDI. 03 December2004.

19 Bicol Environment Advocacy Network, Position Paper issued April2005 for consideration by the RDC.

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