Current Environmental Laws Of The Philippines Environmental Sciences Essay

Current Environmental Laws Of The Philippines Environmental Sciences Essay There are different laws which are provided for the environment. These are created for the preservation, conservation and protection of the natural resources of the Philippines. Some are intended to preserve, protect and secure human health and our natural environment just like the pollution control laws. Some of these laws will be discussed in the succeeding paragraphs. Philippine Environmental Policy (P.D. 1151) defines the general policies on the pursuit of a better quality of life for the present and future generations and mandates the undertaking the environmental impact assessments for all projects, which may significantly affect the environment. Philippine Environmental Policy (P.D. 1152) defines the policy objectives and the strategies for the various aspects of environmental management, such as air and water quality management, natural source development, land management, and waste management. It launches a comprehensive national program of environmental protection and management, with reference to policies and standards of noise, air quality, water quality, classification of water and waste management. Pollution Control Law (P.D. 984) Stating that it is imperative to strengthen the National Pollution Control Commission (since subsumed by the DENR) to best protect the people from the growing menace of environmental pollution, President Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 984, otherwise known as the National Pollution Control Decree of 1976. The Decree was effective up until its repeal under the Clean Water Act of 2004. This law prevents possible pollution that different commercial and industrial businesses may give to the environment. It provides guidelines for the proper discharge of sewage or industrial waste. The Solid Waste Management Act of 2001(R.A. 9003) 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 therefore, and for other purposes. This law ensures that there is proper disposal and management of wastes in different areas of our country. There are penalties for those who will break the rules provided by this law. It ensures the protection of the public health. When we conducted a research in Bakakeng Norte last semester, about their solid waste management, we learned that there is a program MRF or the material recovery facility that they are doing. Each barangay of Baguio city are doing this. This law is very helpful not only for the environment but also to the people. Water Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1067) adopts adequate measures to conserve and regulate the use of water in commercial, industrial and residential areas. It also provides other policy guidelines in water quality and management of water resources. This law is very important. It is a tool in ensuring proper management and use of water. Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (R.A. 9275) is an act providing a comprehensive water quality management and for other purposes. This law ensures and secures the health of every citizen of our country. It ensures proper management of water resources and water quality management in all bodies of water of the Philippines. Water Pollution Control P.D. 600 (amended by P.D. 979) prohibits the discharge of oil, noxious liquid substances, and other harmful substances into the countrys inland and territorial waters. Climate Change Act of 2009 (R.A. 9729) an act mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations, establishing the framework strategy and program on climate change, creating for this purpose the climate change commission, and for other purposes. Presidential Decree No. 953 is a law requiring the planting of trees in certain places and penalizing unauthorized cutting, destruction, damaging and injuring of certain trees, plants and vegetation. The Forestry Reform Code P.D. 389 (P.D. 705) codifies updates and raises forestry laws in the country. It emphasizes the sustainable utilization of forest resources. Its function is to conserve the public forests of the nation, protect and preserve national parks and provide agricultural land for the people. Presidential Decree No. 953 is a law requiring the planting of trees in certain places and penalizing unauthorized cutting, destruction, damaging and injuring of certain trees, plants and vegetation. Sanitation Code (P.D. 856) places the responsibility in the local government units for the solid waste management in his area of production. It prohibits the improper disposal of garbage 2)How Hospitality Tourism Management is affected by the current environmental laws? Environmental laws are very important in hospitality and tourism industry. They serve as guidelines in putting up businesses. These laws provide penalties for every violation that they may commit. Without these laws, there will be overuse and degradation of natural resources. These laws should be considered by tourism industries before putting up their businesses. These laws set wall or limitation for tourism but compliance with these leads to conservation of our environment and we are not only helping the environment but actually the whole humanity since we are the number one who benefits the gifts of our natural resources. The environmental laws give ideas to the hospitality and tourism employees on how to have a successful operation of their businesses. They help in creating good path to success. These laws remind tourism industries that success is not only having a good relationship with the customers they have but also having a good relationship with the environment and cooperation with the government. 3)How Hospitality and Tourism Management businesses can help improve the current environmental situation of the Philippines? Tourism activities have positive and negative effects on the life of people and in the environment. Tourism can give positive impact on the economy and provides employment for the people but its unsustainable development can lead to destruction of our environment. In developing tourism facilities such as recreation facilities, water supplies, restaurants and accommodation can involve sand mining, beach and sandbank erosion, soil erosion and extensive paving. Tourism activity can lead to land degradation and loss of wildlife habitats and deterioration of scenery. Swimming pools and hotels generally overuse water for maintenance, especially golf courses. This can lead to water shortage and generate waste water. Tourism activities also contribute in unmanageable volume of solid wastes, for example here in Baguio City, volume of solid waste increases during Panagbenga. Hospitality and Tourism Management businesses can help improve the current environmental situation of the Philippines by being socially and environmentally responsible. By doing what is right and not harmful for the environment. By complying with the laws provided for the environment. Tourism graduates must know how to apply in the industry what he learned in his school. Nowadays, sustainable tourism and green tourism are becoming popular. We should not stop in promoting sustainable and green tourism. Tourism businesses can help by conserving water and energy. Practice proper waste management, reduce, recycle and reuse. In developing their establishments use environment friendly products such as eco-friendly paints, offer products which are also eco-friendly. Tourism industry must not only after profit, we must also consider all the things it can affect, specially the environment. Our environment is very fragile. Some resources once depleted they cannot be replaced. Some once damaged , can never be back into their original state again. Some could be but it will take time. The next generation will be the one suffering from the loss of our natural resources today. Tourism businesses should be able to attract customers not by having luxurious destinations. Start promoting the natural beauty of our environment and stop damaging the natural resources we have. They should be a role model and encourage people in conserving the environment. Reference : http://bio427.blogspot.com/2010/10/environmental-laws-of-philippines.html