MG LIQUIDO

PA 291 Final Paper May 22, 2015

1. Is environmentally sustainable development in the Philippines possible – can you increase

Inasmuch as I want to say yes, I believe so, that it is possible for the Philippines to forge through
environmentally sustainable development (SD) given a 1hundred and eighteen (and still counting)
environmental laws and policies already in place, why not? But really my answer is maybe, it depends
upon, and that remains to be seen because for quite some time, environmental laws and governance
had been existing, and yet even an aggregate of these in actions, I think is still wanting. And if we stick
to the 2layman’s term of sustainable development as “economic development without ecological
destruction, as in literally without ecological destruction – that is something magic! However,
environmentally sustainable development is possible may be if and when, for instance, the Philippine
government and other sectors, will closely scrutinize and monitor environmental impact assessments
(EIA) or the truest sense of cost-benefit analysis of the pillars of SD i.e. economic, social and
environmental development for certain projects yet to unfold; adoption for polluter pays principle
(environmental externalities, life cycle assessment) and its stricter implementation; and intensify
(awareness and actions for) common but differentiated responsibilities, harm prevention, precautionary
principle, and intergenerational equity – all for the commons.
There is also a need to make the most of the 3resource valuation as it is an essential component
of sustainable development. It helps determine the estimated value of our natural resources vis-à-vis
the status of wealth of our country. Sarah L. Timpson, a resident representative of UNDP-Manila noted
that 4next to its human resources, the country’s natural resources constitute a key of national wealth.
The measurement or accounting of this wealth and its sustainability represents an important function
in national planning, policy, and decision making. The critical importance of this function is recognized
in both the global and Philippine Agenda 21. The resource accounting is also important especially on
factors like the state and reality of degradation and depletion of these natural resources. Victor Ramos,
the DENR Secretary noted that 5accounting for the degradation and depletion of our environment and
natural resources will give us a clear indication of where we are heading and will guide our policy-
makers as well as our decision-makers in their choice of development policies and programs to steer
the nation into the path of sustainable development.
As to increase consumption and industrialization without negative environmental impacts - not
entirely without negative environmental impacts, perhaps, lessened, mitigated and responsibly regulated
environmental impacts. Industrialization is inevitable, and so is the increase consumption for our rapidly
growing population, along with the advent of technology and globalization. It paved the way to
development and trade, such as the one told in The Story of Stuff – that things and all other stuff go
thru a system of extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. Extraction of natural
resources, say for certain use of products and goods e.g. plastic, converted and made into thru
production, distributed for consumption and disposal-this process absolutely have negative
environmental impact yet significantly contributed to economic growth and have social value. However,
in the Story of Change and The Story of Solutions, negative environmental impacts of this process can
in a way be lessened and mitigated.

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1Hundredand eighteen laws and among other important concepts I learned from the lecture-discussion of Prof. Ria Adoracion
Lambino and for whom I am grateful.
2Foreword made by Victor Ramos DENR Secretary cited in the study conducted by Francisco et al. (1999) of the University
of the Philippines – Los Bańos funded by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Economic Instruments for the
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources A Case Study on the Philippines’ Forestry Sector

3resource valuation cited in the study of Allan T. White & Annabelle Cruz-Trinidad (1998). The Values of Philippine Coastal
Resources: Why Protection & Management are Critical
4&5Foreword made in the study conducted by Francisco et al. (1999) of the University of the Philippines – Los Bańos funded
by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Economic Instruments for the Sustainable Management of Natural
Resources A Case Study on the Philippines’ Forestry Sector
MG LIQUIDO
PA 291 Final Paper May 22, 2015

In the study conducted by Francisco et al. (1999) of the University of the Philippines – Los
Bańos funded by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Economic Instruments for the
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources A Case Study on the Philippines’ Forestry Sector,
cited in the preface of the paper that UNEP believes that the potential for negative impacts of trade
on the environment can be minimised, if not avoided entirely, by integrating environmental
considerations - that complement rather than inhibit trade - into development planning.

With the premises afore cited, it can be gleaned - increase consumption and industrialization
concomitantly bring negative environmental impacts. Environmental destruction and
degradation are irreversible, yet can be reconstructed, replenished and sustained.

2. What governance systems should be in place for the Philippines to develop sustainably?

Given the laws and policies and governance system already in place, I think the next president
of the Republic of the Philippines must be an environmental advocate, an environmental lawyer or
a ‘green economist’ (if there be such kind or some sort), or may be an educator who has the deep
passion for the care and management for the environment, above all, I think we need an
‘Environmental Czar’ for us to develop sustainably. More than the structure, the system and the
process, is a president that will transform the nation to greater heights of environmentally sustainable
development, uprooting the decay of dirty politics and bureaucracy and corruption.