The Bicol region’s population reached 5,109,798 in 2007 from
4,674,855 in 2000 with a growth rate of 1.23 percent.
Reduction in the growth rate was noticed from 1.68 percent
during the period 2000-2007. However, the magnitude of
population increased from 4,674,855 in 2000 to 5,109,798 in
2007. This meant more demand for resources, i.e., high
demand for water, settlement, food and need for more
vegetation to support the growing needs of the population.
The region’s total land area is 1,813,039 hectares with
156,546 hectares forestlands or 8.63 percent and 999,619
hectares active agricultural lands or 55.13 percent of the
regions total land area to support this population.
Forest
and Watersheds Protection and Rehabilitation
For CY 2008, a total of 4,667.4 hectares forestlands were
rehabilitated and planted with trees which posted an
accomplishment of 86 percent of the targeted 5,443 hectares
for the year. It was noted that CY 2008 accomplishment was
higher than CY 2007 accomplishment of 3,192.8 hectares
rehabilitated and planted. The increase was due to the
massive rehabilitation and reforestation of denuded
forestland under the Bicol River Basin Watershed and
Management Project. It adopted the strategy of
rehabilitation, protection and livelihood augmentation. The
reforestation consisted of 3,506.3 hectares upland forests,
567 hectares mangrove and development of 531 hectares agro
forestry farms. Likewise, 382 cubic meters check dams and
800 linear meters eco-blocks and 4 units soil and water
impounding systems were constructed for soil and water
conservation. This aimed to prevent soil erosion in the
watershed areas. The maintenance and protection of 1,141
hectares of forest plantations were undertaken and a total
of 8, 447,771 seedlings were produced and planted to 5,014
hectares of lands. About 101,547 kilometers were planted
under the river bank stabilization project.
In 2008, the preparation of an Integrated Watershed
Management Plan was undertaken in Libmanan-Pulantuna
Watershed Management Project (LPWMP). The project covered
six municipalities in Camarines Sur and two municipalities
in Camarines Norte. The program was funded under the Global
Environmental Fund (GEF) aimed to enhanced ecosystem
services for global and local benefits which included
biodiversity protection, habitat protection, natural forest
regeneration, reduction of threats to protected areas,
improvement of ecosystem services and restoration of natural
forests.
The NIPAS Act was continually implemented which provided for
the establishment and management of Protected Areas as a key
strategy for the conservation of biodiversity. The PAMBs
managed the 60,758.38 hectares of forest lands consisting of
national parks, natural biotic area, wildlife sanctuaries
and natural parks. In 2008, the PAMBs conducted the
following activities: (1) vulnerability assessment for
critical watershed; (2) assessment and determination of
the carrying capacity of Mayon Volcano Natural Park for
ecotourism; (3) rehabilitation and ecological restoration of
marginal and degraded landscape; (4) development of
strategies for the production of good quality planting
materials; and (5) IEC capability enhancement.
Rehabilitation
and Restoration of Coastal and Marine Resources
Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP)
launched in 2007 reduced poverty by at least 15 percent
among fisher folks in 15 coastal municipalities in Masbate.
Trainings on participatory coastal resource assessment were
undertaken in Mobo and San Pascual Masbate. The IEC
component of the project aimed to disseminate information on
Integrated Coastal Management Project. About 177,166
hectares mangrove areas were protected and 2,805 hectares
mangrove plantation was established. This posted 86 percent
accomplishment from the targeted 3,275 hectares mangrove
plantation for CY 2008.
Pollution
control and public awareness on natural resource values and
productivity
Industrial Ecowatch Program was undertaken in the following
firms: Pepsi Cola, Coca Cola, ALINDECO, Gallintina, PENSUMIL,
Good Found Cement Corp., and IPPC. This program was
conducted to create awareness that firms were being
monitored for their pollution emission. Beach watch was
also undertaken in Pasacao, Misbis, Sto. Domingo, Bacacay,
Tiwi, Gubat and Bacon. Tap watch Program was conducted in
Barangay Abuyog and Buhatan in Sorsogon City, Barangay Sta.
Teresita and San Vicente in Iriga City.
This created public awareness in the community for
monitoring pollution and taking note of the value of their
resources.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was implemented which
included the processing of applications for environmental
compliance (ECC) certificates, certificate of non-coverage (CNC),
certification for land conversion, monitoring of project
with ECC, and operationalization of Multipartite Monitoring
Team (MMT) to monitor air and water quality. In 2008, 134
ECC and 399 CNC were issued to different businesses/ firms
in the region. About 44 project without ECC and 41 notice
of violations (NOVs) were issued, 1,148 ECAs/ECPs were
monitored of which 46 were issued notices of violations.
The implementation of EIA posted 100 percent accomplishment
for the year.
Air
Quality Monitoring
In 2008, 14 private emission testing centers were monitored
and conducted inventory for stationary, mobile and area
sources, and greenhouse gases. About 58 firms were monitored
and 25 firms were found violating the clean air act or RA
8749. Likewise, ban on open burning were also undertaken in
coordination with the LGUS “Bantay Sunog Basura.”
A total of 99 ambient air samples were gathered and analyzed
for the determination of the average suspended particulates
(TSP). Air Quality monitoring stations are located in
Legaspi Naga and Iriga.
Urban greening was undertaken in celebration of the clean
air month. This was part of strengthening Linis Hangin with
LGU as partner in greening the open dumpsites to serve as
carbon sink in the region. Linis Hangin and Bantay Tambutso
Program aims to intensify anti-smoke belching campaign to
reduce TSP emissions. The program was undertaken by the Land
Transportation in compliance to the clean air act program.
Water
Quality Monitoring
The implementation of Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA
9275) aims to protect water bodies from pollution coming
from industrial, commercial, community, and households
house holds.
Periodic water sampling were undertaken to determine the
quality of water bodies. The Anayan, Panique, Malaguit, and
Rio Grande Guinobatan rivers were monitored and the water
quality were assessed. Industrial effluent was monitored
from 104 firms and 75 samples were collected. Six firms were
issued notice of violations.
The Sagip Ilog Program was implemented in coordination with
the LGUs for the improvement of 19 priority rivers in the
region. The program is designed to improve the BOD
concentration and dissolved oxygen (DO) level by at least 50
percent with CY 2003 level as the baseline in order to meet
the water quality. In 2008, the program was implemented in
the rivers of Aroroy Masbate, Pili, Panique Island and
Anayan, Camarines Sur.
Beach Watch program was undertaken to safeguard the health
of the bathers for any disease caused by high bacterial
count in any bathing beaches in the region. Monitoring was
undertaken in seven beaches: Bacacay, Sto. Domingo, Gubat
Sorsogon, Pasacao Camarines Sur, Misibis Bacacay Albay, Tiwi
Albay and Bacon Sorsogon. This posted 100 percent
accomplishment over the target.
Waste
Management Program
Under RA 6969 known as the Toxic Substance and Hazardous and
Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, importing,
manufacturing, processing and disposing of chemical
substances, mixtures and hazardous waste that may pose
unreasonable risk or injury to health are prohibited and
restricted. In CY 2008, about 15 registered firms generating
hazardous wastes and 118 registered hospitals with the DOH
were found generating hazardous waste. These were issued
order to comply with RA 6969.
The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003)
was continuously implemented by the LGUs in their respective
municipalities. About 18 Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
were established and 46 open dumpsites were closed. This
posted 115 percent accomplishment exceeding the target for
the year.
