Module 3

Environmental Health

Environmental Health is the branch of public health that focuses on the interrelationships
between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters healthy
and safe communities. As a fundamental component of a comprehensive public health system,
environmental health works to advance policies and programs to reduce chemical and other
environmental exposures in air, water, soil and food to protect residents and provide communities
with healthier environments.
Environmental health protects the public by tracking environmental exposures in
communities and potential links with disease outcomes. To achieve a healthy community, homes
should be safe, affordable, and healthy places for families to gather. Workplaces, schools, and
child-care centers should be free of exposures that negatively impact the health of workers or
children. Nutritious, affordable foods should be safe for all community members. Access to safe
and affordable multimodal transportation options, including biking and public transit, improves
the environment and drives down obesity and other chronic illnesses. Outdoor and indoor air
quality in all communities should be healthy and safe to breathe for everyone. Children and adults
alike should have access to safe and clean public spaces such as parks. When a disaster strikes, a
community needs to be prepared and should have the tools and resources to be resilient against
physical (infrastructure and human) and emotional damage. All these activities require the
participation of local, and national governments.

Building an Effective Environmental Health System

Investing in essential governmental environmental health services through dedicated resources
will create an effective environmental health system that proactively protects communities and
helps everyone attain good health. The local and national governments should adopt standard
approaches to ensuring environmental health equity, protections and access for all, particularly
vulnerable and at-risk populations. The government can help build an effective and strong
environmental health system by:
• creating an integrated infrastructure to collect and track crucial information.
• developing a well-trained and highly skilled workforce.
• providing ample and sustainable funding from diverse sources.
• ensuring that policy and programs are grounded in existing and up to-date evidence-based
research.
• encouraging/incentivizing cross-sectoral partnerships to support consideration of health impacts.
• assuring environmental health services are equitably accessible.
Global Environmental Health and Sustainable Development

A healthy population is essential for economic development. The poorest people on the planet tend
to suffer most from the health effects from exposures to environmental hazards like air
pollution and impure water. In turn, disease and disability related to polluted environments slows
and blocks economic development. In addition to its toll on human suffering, illness carries a
significant financial burden in the form of healthcare expenditures and lost productivity. For
example, unhealthy children often cannot attend or perform well in school, and unhealthy adults
cannot work or care for their families.

Healthy Environments Positive Impact to Human Health and Community

Many aspects of our environment both built and natural environment can impact on our health. It’s
important that we interpret health issues in the wider context of our environment and where we
live. The environment’s effects on our health are complicated, yet it brings good and quality living
if the latter is being cared and protected. There is sufficient knowledge from decades of research
to take action in reducing environmental hazard.

A healthy environment contains conditions that provide the means and opportunity to
achieve physical and mental being. It also provides link to a sound economy. Therefore,
environment has a direct impact to human health.

From beach clean ups to mass tree planting to marches, individuals, communities and
government have come out shoulder to shoulder for our planet, advocated and acted for a healthy
environment.

Exposure to natural environments is associated with mental health benefits;

a. Proximity to green space – associated with lower level of stress and reduced
symptomology for depression and anxiety.
b. Interacting with nature – Improve cognition for children with attention deficits and
individuals with depression

Determinants of a Healthy Environment

• Well – maintained homes

• Well paved streets and roads
• Sanitary waterworks system
• Clean and safe mini-parks
• Abundant trees and greeneries
• Fresh air and clean natural waters
• Proper waste and disposal system
• Safe workplace
Actions toward a Healthy Environment Health Benefits

Healthy and sustainably plant our grown food 1. Stop the growing epidemics of obesity,
diabetes and other chronic illnesses
related to poor nutrition.
2. Support local economies and farming
practices that reduce harm to people and
the environment.

Activities directed to improve environmental Benefit such vulnerable populations of low

health income and minority communities that are
disproportionately affected by environmental
hazards and inequity.
Health programs that simultaneously Reduce the risk of respiratory and
strengthen access to healthy shelter, food, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes,
mobility, participation in decision making, some kinds of cancer, and many other
and connection to community outcomes.
Health care that reduces or eliminates the use People will practice primary prevention,
of persistent, bio accumulative toxicants, helping to reduce the risk of cancer,
carcinogens or other high hazard chemicals. developmental disabilities and other chronic
illnesses in our communities, and those up and
down stream in the supply and disposal
chains.
Reduce use of mined metals, minerals and Benefit communities by:
fuels, and increase the proportion of
sustainable, renewable energy and materials. 1. Making people practice primary
prevention
2. Creating green and healthy jobs
3. Alleviating the adverse health effects
of climate change which results to:
a. Decreased respiratory disease
b. Prevent injury from severe
weather events
c. Stop infectious disease vectors,
psychological, trauma, and clean
water shortages.

How does economic development affect environmental health?

Economic development has led to tremendous improvements in people’s well-being, but often at
the expense of the environment. Industrialization has contributed to pollution of air and water,
changing dietary patterns, and shifting patterns of transportation and land use. Exposures to air
and water pollutants directly increase disease. Similarly, dietary changes and decreased levels of
physical activity, resulting from transportation and other work and lifestyle changes, are
contributing to global epidemics of obesity, diabetes, and associated diseases. Globalization and
the large geographic scale over which rapid industrialization is occurring make these
environmental health problems global health problems.

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is frequently defined as development that meets the needs of present
generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As
evidence of the harm to health and well-being from widespread environmental degradation and
global climate change grows, communities and governments are placing greater emphasis on
assuring that economic development is achieved in a sustainable way.

How can environmental health be integrated into sustainable development?

Protecting and creating healthy environments is a critical component of sustainable development.

Environmental health can be integrated into sustainable development by:

• Improving environmental quality for the poorest populations with the greatest burden of
environmental diseases, by reducing exposures to air pollution in homes and villages from
biomass burning, and providing clean water and sanitation
• Identifying efforts to address environmental problems that can also provide health benefits.
For example, creating environments that encourage biking and walking for transportation
reduces greenhouse gas and toxic air pollution emissions (environmental benefit) and
increases physical activity (health benefit).
• Recognizing that some policies, practices, and technologies designed to promote
sustainability and economic development may have unintended adverse environmental
health effects, and attempting to prevent or mitigate these before they are implemented.

Tackling Environmental Health Challenges in the Philippines

Environmental risk factors such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate
change, and ultraviolet radiation contribute to more than 100 diseases and injuries worldwide. In
2012, an estimated 12.6 million people died as a result of living or working in an unhealthy
environment, that’s nearly 1 in 4 global deaths. The Philippines is not spared from this burden with
environmental risk factors contributing to at least 22% of the reported disease cases and nearly 6%
of reported deaths in 2006.

The Philippines experiences a “triple burden” of disease, this refers to the high incidences of key
communicable diseases, the rising rates of non-communicable diseases while also being one of the
highest disaster-prone country in the world. These environmental risk factors are part and parcel
of this triple burden of disease. To address this, the WHO Country Office in the Philippines is
supporting the Philippine Department of Health’s environmental health programmed and most
recently on its National Environmental Health Action Plan.

“The Philippines is setting an excellent example by developing a national environmental health

action plan for the next six years. It not only shows its commitment to tackle these issues but also
highlights a strategic direction that the Government is taking.” said Dr Gundo Weiler, WHO
Country Representative in the Philippines. Dr Weiler also reiterated WHO’s continued
commitment to support the plan that covers all areas such as water safety, sanitation safety, food
safety, chemical safety, air quality management, health impact assessment, occupational health,
and climate change.

The Benefits of Optimizing Environmental Health

Maintaining a healthy environment is essential for helping people live longer and for enhancing
their quality of life. Consider a sobering statistic from Healthy People, which notes that 23% of all
deaths (and 26% of deaths among children ages 5 and younger) result from
entirely preventable environmental health problems.
By optimizing environmental health, communities can reduce exposure to disease, as well as to
pollutants that have a toxic effect on the body. The benefits of environmental health interventions
can improve life for everyone, but may have the most pronounced effect among those who are
already in vulnerable health. As Healthy People points out, “Poor environmental quality has its
greatest impact on people whose health status is already at risk.”

How Environmental Factors Can Impact Personal Health

Environmental health advocacy is a top priority in the public health field, as environmental factors
continue to adversely affect individual and population health.

For example, consider the looming threat of climate change. Environmental health researchers say
that climate change may result in changed disease patterns, making communities susceptible to
different illnesses. Additionally, climate change has been linked to an uptick in floods, wildfires,
and superstorms, all of which can play profound roles in harming human health. Poor industrial
hygiene is another example of how environmental factors can impact wellness. As Verywell
Health notes, “Many of the materials needed to advance industries and technology, like heavy
metals or even some plastics, can also hurt the human body and even lead to serious medical
conditions.” In other words, industries that are irresponsible with manufacturing and waste
disposal may be poisoning the natural world, impacting our physical well-being.
Environmental Health as A Community Health Concern

Environmental health isn’t just a matter of individual wellness; it’s also a matter of community
well-being. Simply put, the conditions in and around our homes, schools, playgrounds, and
workplaces can have a major impact on our families and neighbors.

For example, factors such as pollution and litter can make residents less inclined to go outside for
exercise and recreation, potentially making the entire community more prone to disease.

Aspects of the built environment, such as infrastructure, can also impact community health. For
instance, areas with poorly maintained roads have higher risks of car accidents that result in
injuries, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure can increase the prevalence of disease in local
populations.

It’s not only important to strive for optimal environmental health. It’s also beneficial, both for
individuals and their surrounding communities. Some of the benefits include: cleaner air quality,
cleaner water, reduced hazardous waste, increased access to healthy foods, safer outdoor
environments for adults and children, improved population health, and improved health equity.

The 8 Environmental Factors That Can Impact Your Health

A number of specific environmental issues can impede human health and wellness. These issues
include chemical pollution, air pollution, climate change, disease-causing microbes, lack of access
to health care, poor infrastructure, and poor water quality.

1. Chemical Safety
Different chemicals can impact human health in different ways, and often, exposure to dangerous
or foreign substances creates health vulnerabilities. The chemical safety field is concerned with
minimizing the effects of both natural and synthetic chemicals. More specifically, chemical safety
seeks to safeguard human and environmental health from exposure to potential toxins; it focuses
on chemicals that exist in the ambient world, as well as synthetic chemicals that are used in
industrial processes or are the by-products of manufacturing activity.

Public health officials who work in chemical safety often focus on toxicology, which is the study
of substances that have a toxic effect on the human body, whether when ingested or when absorbed
through natural surroundings. Another important aspect of public health is chemical risk
assessment, which involves scientists and clinicians working to determine a substance’s full
biological effects.

This is a critical field of public health: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more
than 1.6 million deaths in 2016 were due to exposure to selected chemicals. Some examples of
dangerous chemicals in the environment are heavy metals and toxins that find their way into the
water supply and harmful pesticides that make their way into the food supply chain.
2. Air Pollution

Studies have shown that air pollution effects on humans are a significant public health concern,
not only because of their role in climate change, but also because exposure to air pollution can
increase morbidity and mortality.

When environmental scientists talk about air pollution, they’re describing any solid or liquid
particles, as well as gases, that are suspended in the air and have harmful or poisonous effects.
When we think about air pollution, we tend to think in terms of human-caused pollutants, and
rightly so: Some of the most dangerous and ubiquitous examples of air pollution include car and
truck exhaust, as well as polluting by-products of industrial processes. However, many natural air
pollutants can cause health concerns; for example, pollen and mold spores are often linked with
asthma and allergies.

According to the WHO, air pollution effects on humans are significant. For example, air pollution
causes:
• 29% of all global deaths from lung disease
• 24% of all global deaths from stroke
• 17 % of all global deaths and disease from acute lower respiratory infection
•
3. Climate Change and Natural Disasters

Another environmental issue with serious ramifications for human health is climate change, along
with the increase in natural disasters that has accompanied the shift in Earth’s climate.
The National Environmental Health Association lists climate change as the single biggest human
health threat of the 21st century.
Climate change disrupts the natural world in a number of ways that can impede health and increase
vulnerability to disease; these include increases in the planet’s temperature and more frequent
heavy rains and runoff. The various impacts may result in greater vulnerability to nervous and
respiratory diseases, diarrhea, and more.

Additionally, climate change increases the frequency of natural disasters, often having a ravenous
effect on homes and communities and sometimes resulting in loss of life. Wildfires, hurricanes,
cyclones, and droughts are just a few examples.

4. Diseases Caused by Microbes

Diseases caused by microbes — also known as microorganisms — present another area of public
health concern. Trillions of microbes exist within the human body, and they also live-in water,
soil, and air. Most of them have no negative health effects, and many microbes perform important
biological functions, such as supporting digestive and immune health, according to the National
Human Genome Research Institute. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi are types of microbes.
Harmful microbes, which are more commonly called pathogens or germs, can infect humans and
cause illness. Eating is one of the primary ways in which humans can contract diseases caused by
microbes. One example is food poisoning from E. coli, a type of bacteria that can be found in the
environment and in foods, and which can cause respiratory illness, urinary tract infections, and
other adverse health effects.
There are also a number of harmful microbes that live in the soil. Humans can come into contact
with them by ingesting them (through contaminated food) or through inhaling them (through soil
particles in the air). Tetanus and botulism are examples of diseases caused by soil-borne microbes.
5. Lack of Access to Health Care
Another environmental factor that contributes to disease and overall poor health outcomes is living
in an area with a lack of access to health care services.

According to Healthy People, “Many people face barriers that prevent or limit access to needed
health care services, which may increase the risk of poor health outcomes and health disparities.”
Some factors that contribute to lack of access to health care are economic instability, unreliable
transportation to clinical facilities, and simple lack of education about the importance of preventive
care.
Individuals who don’t have access to health care services (including pharmaceuticals as well as
dental care) are at a higher risk for chronic conditions, which may include asthma, cancer, diabetes,
or heart disease.

6. Infrastructure Issues

Infrastructure issues can also have a major impact on community health. Examples include the
following:

• Poorly maintained roads (increasing risk of car accidents)

• Lack of access to clean drinking water
• Lack of local health care infrastructure, such as clinics capable of giving vaccinations
Overcoming poor infrastructure requires the right allocation of resources from local, state, and
federal governments, as well as a qualified workforce to keep infrastructure properly maintained.

7. Poor Water Quality

Verywell Health reports that across the world, more than 780 million people don’t have access to
clean drinking water; shockingly, about a third of the world’s population lacks access to proper
sanitation services (e.g., clean bathrooms). The health implications are sobering: Each day, more
than 2,200 children die due to diseases caused by poor water quality.
A number of factors can contribute to poor water quality, including industrial waste and pollution,
lack of access to proper water treatment and sanitation services, and outdated plumbing
infrastructure.

8. Global Environmental Issues

Global environmental issues account for more than 12.6 million deaths each year, according
to WHO data. Along with the issues mentioned here, these can include soil pollution, ultraviolet
radiation, and biodiversity loss. According to the data, more than 100 illnesses and injuries can be
directly linked to environmental health concerns. Often, these issues have the greatest impact on
communities that are poor and already have significant health care vulnerabilities.

How Environmental Health Professionals Can Help Optimize Health

Many different career paths exist in which environmental health professionals can help steward
the natural world in a way that contributes to human well-being.

Environmental Science and Protection Technician

Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and seek ways to
minimize the entry of pollutants, hazardous wastes, and contaminants. Essential skills include
analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and observation skills.
Environmental Scientist
An environmental scientist gathers data and monitors environmental factors that may have an
impact on human health. Technical skills, analytical thinking, and critical thinking are all essential
to this position.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Occupational health and safety specialists help create, implement, and enforce policies that keep
employees safe in the workplace; their work is especially crucial in industrial settings, where
volatile chemicals or pollutants may be common. These individuals require communication skills,
analytical thinking abilities, and interpersonal skills.

Health and Safety Engineer

The health and safety engineer’s role is to design systems that help promote health and prevent
injury. The role may involve designing buildings, machinery, or consumer technologies. Technical
engineering competencies are mandatory.

Environmental Health Education and Advocacy

Public health professionals are on the front lines of informing the public about the environmental
factors that impact personal health, community well-being, and quality of life on a daily basis.

Through educational outreach and advocacy, they inspire individuals and communities to take
actions that help safeguard their local environments, protect their families’ health, and support
policies that promote environmental stewardship.
 COUNTRY REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE POLICIES, GREEN JOBS
AND DECENT WORK IN THE PHILIPPINES

MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES

A. Environmental Problems
The Philippines is prone to natural disasters, particularly typhoons, floods,
landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis, lying as it does astride the
typhoon belt, in the active volcanic region known as the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” and in the
geologically unstable region between the Pacific and Eurasian tectonic plates. The
Philippines also suffers major human-caused environmental degradation aggravated by a
high annual population growth rate, including loss of agricultural lands, deforestation, soil
erosion, air and water pollution, improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes, loss of coral
reefs, mismanagement and abuse of coastal resources, and overfishing.

Climate Change and the Philippines

Recent scientific studies reveal that human activities have contributed significantly
to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that causes climate change.
The Philippines is a hotspot for climate change disasters particularly the risk for
agriculture and food security due to extreme El Nino and severe tropical cyclones. The
spread of infectious diseases are influenced by fluctuations in climate variables,
temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Sever super typhoons like Reming that
pummeled the Bicol region in 2006 destroyed at least $90- million worth of agricultural
products and infrastructure.
Diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, cholera have increased throughout the
years. Climate change impacts on coastal zones and marine ecosystems caused massive
coral bleaching especially in 1998 due to elevated sea temperature and fish kills and red
tides like the one that occurred in 1992 which was an El Nino period.
Scientists warned the Philippines could experience famine by 2020, as the adverse
impact of global warming takes its toll on natural resources. Thousands will be displaced
from their homes especially in low-lying coastal communities.
Decline of Natural Resources and Biodiversity

The Philippines is suffering from degradation of the natural environment. It has

fifty major rivers now polluted due to abuse and neglect. Approximately two-thirds of the
country's original mangroves have been lost. A hundred years ago, the Philippines had
close to 22 million hectares of old growth forest. At the start of 2000, we had less than
600,000 hectares of old-growth forest left. In one century, we had cut down close to 97
percent of our original forest. A study by the Environmental Scientists for Social Change
(ESSC) reveals that we have systematically cut this forest down and that we have not
stopped its destruction and that of its core biodiversity.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) estimates that it takes over 4,000
liters of water to produce one kilo of rice. Because of the loss of forests, we have less water
since most of our freshwater comes from watersheds found in forests. Therefore, loss of
forests means loss of food.
More than 400 plant and animal species found in the Philippines are currently
threatened with extinction, including the Philippine eagle, the tamaraw, and the dugong. In
2001, 49 of the nation's mammal species, 86 bird species, and 320 plant species were
threatened with extinction. Endangered species in the Philippines include the monkey-
eating eagle, Philippine tarsier, tamaraw, four species of turtle (green sea, hawksbill, olive
ridley, and leatherback), Philippines crocodile, sinarapan, and two species of butterflies.
The Cebu warty pig, Panay flying fox, and Chapman's fruit bat have become extinct.

Alarming Waste Problem in the Philippines

The Philippines is looming with garbage problems despite the passage of the
Ecological Solid Waste Management Act or the Republic Act (RA) 9003.
2007 first quarter data from the National Solid Waste Management Commission
shows that there are 677 open dumpsites, 343 controlled dumps, and 21 landfills in the
country. An additional 307 dump sites are subject for closure or rehabilitation plans but
without definite schedules for enforcement. About 215 additional landfills are being
proposed to be set up nationwide.
About 1,000 open and controlled dump sites exist in the country. Prominent dumps
all over the country can be found in Antipolo and Montalban in Rizal; Baguio City;
Calapan, Mindoro Oriental; Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Obando,
Bulacan; and San Pedro, Laguna.
 Environmentalists stress that Republic Act 9003 calls for the adoption of the best
environmental practices in ecological waste management and explicitly excludes waste
incineration as an ecological option. These polluting disposal facilities are major sources
of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere which adds to global warming. Landfills
and open dumps, according to studies, account for 34 percent of humanrelated methane
emissions to the atmosphere, a global warming gas that has 23 times more heat-trapping
power than carbon dioxide. These landfills and open dumps are illegal under RA 9003.
Incinerators, on the other hand, have significantly higher levels of greenhouse gas
emissions (per kilowatt) than a coal-fired power plant when all of the carbon coming out
of an incinerator stacks is measured. Such emissions are banned by the country’s Clean Air
Act.
Inaction on garbage contributes to the death of at least two persons every minute
due to complications from environmental problems, which could be prevented if the
country only developed a more efficient environmental management program.
Mismanagement of waste has serious environmental consequences: ground and
surface water contamination, local flooding, air pollution, exposure to toxins, and spread
of disease. Many of the disposal sites contain infectious material, thus threatening
sanitation workers and waste-pickers.
Annual waste generation in the Philippines is expected to grow 40 percent by 2010.
Improvements in recycling, collection, and disposal will become even more critical as
garbage production continues to increase with population growth and economic
development.
Past efforts to promote waste segregation at source have minimal impact despite
the presence of Republic Act 9003. Most of these were barangay, city, and municipal
ordinances providing for sanctions and penalties for non-compliance. Campaigns,
seminars, trainings and other different community activities were implemented with the
help of various private groups or NGO’s to pursue the objective of solving the garbage
problem.
RA 9003 further calls for the establishment of materials recovery facilities, or
ecology centers, in every barangay or cluster of a barangay. To date, only 1,923 ecology
centers exist, serving 2,133 barangays of a total 41,975 nationwide. In Quezon City alone,
only 52 barangays have established Materials Recovery Facilities out of a total of 142.

People’s Behavior towards Waste

 Behavior is a key cultural aspect that is embedded in people’s way of life. Studying a
community’s behavior and introducing new ones requires intensive, longterm, and creative social
marketing. This can be done by studying the demographic and cultural fiber of the community
through immersions and capacity building activities.

The Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, Inc.’s (REECS) 2002
study on household waste management systems and the attitudes and behavior showed that:

1. Waste management is still perceived by many as the responsibility of government.

2. Public participation in waste management, especially in segregation at source, remains limited.

3. More extensive awareness- raising activities and training on ecological waste management are
needed, together with stricter enforcement of the Law and local ordinances must be observed.

4. There is lack of community empowerment and political will to resolve the problem.

Recognizing the importance of the environment’s immediate recovery and effects of

improper waste management to the Philippines, there is a need for understanding and reformation
of attitudes and concern towards the protection of environment. The impending garbage crisis can
be prevented if we only practice waste segregation at source, recycling, and composting as what
the law requires. An intensive social marketing program has to be established on a long-term scale
within a barangay – the smallest unit of the local government.

B. Economic Problems

• high population growth

• unequal distribution of wealth

• poor performance of the agriculture sector of the economy.

C. Social Problems

• Corruption

• Poverty

• Overpopulation
• Child labor (a form of child abuse)

• Lack of adequate health care services

• Terrorism

• Prostitution

• Unemployment

The Philippines’ Response to the Problem of Climate Change

As a manifestation of the country’s commitment to engage in multilateral efforts aiming to

address the global problem of climate change and achieve sustainable development, the Philippines
has participated in the discussions and negotiations leading to the ratification of various
international agreements. These international agreements are geared towards the mitigation of the
effects of climate change and the strategic adaptation to the conditions. The most important
outcomes of these negotiations include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) ratified on August 2, 1994 and the Kyoto Protocol, which was ratified on
November 20, 2003. At the national level, the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan of
2004-2010 (MTDP) underscored the need to manage the environment more effectively in order
for the country to address the problem of poverty particularly in the rural areas.

As one of the first countries to sign the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change in 1992, the Philippines expressed adherence to the principles of sustainable development
and environmental preservation based on the notion of equity and the unique capabilities of the
participating countries. More specifically, Article 3 of the UNFCC states that countries who have
aligned themselves with the mandates set forth by the Convention “should protect the climate
system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and
in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.”

Under the Kyoto Protocol, developing countries such as the Philippines are called to pass
and implement national measures that shall advance the international community’s agenda
pertaining to environmental preservation through the reduction of greenhouse emissions (GHGs)
in the atmosphere. Pursuant to the provisions in this treaty, the Philippines passed national
legislations to uphold the agreements embedded in the Kyoto Protocol. The Clean Air Act of 1999,
otherwise known as Republic Act 8749, was enacted in order to arrive at an effective air quality
management program that will mitigate the worsening problem of air pollution in the country.
Reinforcing the country’s drive towards a healthier environment was the enactment of the Solid
Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) that aimed at providing a comprehensive solution to
the country’s garbage problem.

At the institutional level, the Philippines was one of the earliest countries to recognize the
importance of a systematic institutional response to the problem of climate change. Prior to the
signing and ratification of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the creation of the
Inter-Agency Committee on Climate Change (IACC) in May 8, 1991 under the Environmental
Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was a
concrete manifestation of the Philippines’ attempt to promptly address the issue of climate change.
Composed of representatives from government agencies as well as NGO representatives, IACC
was created by virtue of Presidential Order No. 220 with the secretary of the DENR sitting as chair
and the secretary of the DOST as co-chair. The ultimate aim of the committee is to harness and
synergize the various activities being undertaken by the national government and civil society in
response to the crisis posed by growing problem on climate change.

The essential mandate of the IACC is to perform various coordinative, development and
monitoring functions with respect to activities related to climate change in the county. As an
organization that is at the forefront in advancing the government’s climate change agenda, the
IACC likewise formulates policy actions and recommendations while at the same time assumes a
very significant role in terms of shaping the Philippines’ national positions in the various
international negotiations that aim to mitigate the effects of global climate change and prevent the
worse possible consequences of this. The IACC therefore ensures the Philippines’ faithful
compliance to the mandates and principles contained in the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol and
sees to it that adequate public awareness campaign and initiatives are held to bring the issue to all
the sectors of the country.

PHILIPPINE CLIMATE CHANGE ACT OF 2007

This bill seeks to create a National Framework Program on Climate Change Mitigation,
Adaptation and Communication and establish mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
from energy, power, transport and manufacturing sectors to usher in a low-carbon revolution in
the Philippines and institutionalize the country's commitments to international efforts to address
the problem on climate change
The Philippines’ Upland Development Program: cushioning the impacts of global financial
crisis and climate change through green jobs

Jose L. Atienza, Jr Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Government of the Philippines, Quezon City, the Philippines.

The program will create thousands of jobs in restoring forests and watersheds, helping to
mitigate hunger and poverty.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines has created the
Upland Development Program in support of the government’s Economic Resiliency Plan,
launched in February 2009 to cushion the impact of the global financial crisis on the Filipino
people. The program aims to improve incomes in upland areas and mitigate hunger, while also
enhancing the country’s capacity to adapt to climate change. Forestry has a major place in meeting
both challenges, since upland populations are highly dependent on forest resources for subsistence
and livelihood, and forests serve as a natural carbon sink.

An interesting feature of the program is its strong support to the government’s hunger
mitigation and poverty alleviation programs – for example, by helping to meet the raw material
requirements of industries involved in the Trade and Industry Department’s “One Town One
Product” scheme, which encourages towns to specialize in a single product according to local
comparative advantage in resources and skills. The scheme’s intent is to ramp up production while
promoting entrepreneurship and creating income opportunities, especially for micro, small and
medium-sized enterprises. The Upland Development Program’s linkage to this scheme ensures
ready markets for the products generated under the programmed, further enhancing livelihoods of
people’s organization members.

Two (2) ILO green jobs programs are currently being implemented in the Philippines: (a)
Greener Business Asia (GBA) with support from the Japan Government, and (b) Green Jobs
Promotion with support from the Australian Government. The GBA Project aims to develop and
promote enterprise-level approaches that improve productivity and contribute to “greening” the
economy. This is done by enhancing worker-management relations to include environmental
performance as among the key objectives for the enterprise, and jointly work on activities that best
demonstrates this. The GBA aims to encourage social partnerships and dialogue to promote
environment friendly activities of enterprises. At the sector level, these enterprises will be
supported to collaborate on common environmental performance indicators, fostering the move to
become a more sustainable production chain. Implementation of the GBA and Green Jobs projects
include the participation of the tripartite constituents.

Trade Union’s Recommendations in Promoting Environmentally Sustainable

Development

• Workers can be an asset for environmental protection. They can undergo training on
environmental legislation, the environmental commitments of the company, and general
environmental standards.

• Workers should be recognized in future environmental impact assessments as

stakeholders.

• Workers should bargain for the right to stop work on the basis of unsound environmental
conditions.

• Workers can set up a structure such as. safety circles, where workers can speak freely on
the environmental impacts of mining operations.

• Workers should bargain for an. economic displacement fund. or. environmental guarantee
fund to be provided for in case of a similar event in the future.

• Workers should be aware of environmental management tools and work for their
adoption. These tools include multi-partite monitoring teams and environmental audits, among
others.

Trade unions are engaged in environment policy discussions, particularly and mostly with
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The TUCP is member of the Philippine
Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD), a government council that development and
monitors sustainable development programs. Environment policy is a tripartite issue. The
Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) discusses issues and policies related to green jobs and
sustainable development programs at the workplace. Some TUCP unions have signified interest in
negotiating for green provisions in their collective bargaining agreements.

Trade unions are engaged in discussions and preparations of the ILO's Decent Work
Country Program. However, union programs and priorities are stymied by lack of dedicated funds
for union activities. Trade union priorities do not fit-in in approved projects. Capacity-building
programs for trade unions are wanting.
 The TUCP has a policy titled: "Towards Decent Work, Green Jobs and Sustainable
Development." It highlights TUCP's resolve to take actions that promote green jobs, build trade
union leadership, commitment to make enterprises greener, and monitor progress/developments.
The TUCP has implemented several green jobs and decent work capacity-building initiatives,
including national and regional workshops. Furthermore, the TUCP has an action checklist titled:
"Action Checklist on Decent Work, Green Jobs and Sustainable Workplaces." It is a tool that trade
unions can use to assess current conditions and a way to identify low-cost, easy-to-implement, and
high impact improves to make jobs in enterprises decent, greener and sustainable (safe and
healthy).

Summary
A Healthy Environment contains conditions that provide the means and opportunity to achieve
physical and mental being. It also provides links to a sound economy.
The importance of a healthy environment: to brings good and quality living
Positive Impacts of Healthy Environment to Personal Health and Community Health
• Happy relationship with others
• Source of tourism revenue
• Experience wildlife and relaxation
• Infectious free life
• Higher productivity in works and life activities
• Sense of propriety
• Dynamic children’s attitude, mindset
• Individual has high Intellect
• Peaceful community
• Basic needs are meet (food, water, shelter, income, safety, work)
• Access to wide variety of experiences
• Diverse, vital, innovative economy
• More education opportunities

1. Dignified Ecosystem
• Reduce natural disasters and disease outbreaks
• Rise of food security
• Increase services that support human health
2. Abundant trees and greeneries
• High nutritional diet composition
• Decrease case if non-communicable disease
• Creates jobs to urban areas
• Reduce stress

3. Tidy surroundings
• Clear minds which prevent commotions or chaos
• Healthy and safe space
• Prevent infectious disease and repulsion

4. Clean recreational waters such as pools and aquatic zones

• Safe and quality pastime for families
• Provides source of foods
• Local jobs
• Develop skills in water – sport activities
• Basic needs are meat (food, water, shelter, income, safety, work)
• Access to a wide variety of experiences
• Diverse, vital, innovative economy
• More education opportunities

5. Safe Drinking Water

• Prevents water-bone infectious diseases
• Helps in Getting Rid of Toxins
• Improve sanitation facilities
• A resource for agriculture and food production

6. Clean Air
• Combat deaths from lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease
• Reduce the risk of respiratory disease
• Longevity of children, women, and elders’ lives

7. Sanitation
• Reduce the severity and impact of malnutrition
• Potential recovery of water, renewable energy and nutrients from fecal waste.
• Reducing the spread of intestinal worms, schistosomiasis and trachoma

8. Safe workplaces
• Promotes the wellness of employees and employers
• Increase in work productivity
• Fewer accidents
Activity/Drills

1. Let us work together to protect and care for a healthy environment and remember the
potential ways while savouring the great quality of living. With this, write at least 2
acrostic poems about the environment and how it positively impacts the health and
community.

Evaluation
1. Which do you prefer to be healthy first? People, community or environment? Support your
answer.
2. Observed and look around your community/barangay. List 5 situations or scenarios of
unhealthy environment. (Supported with photos and with captions).