Pollution's Impact On The Philippines: A Sobering Reality

The Philippines is an archipelagic state in Southeast Asia consisting of over 7,500 islands. The country faces significant environmental issues, including air pollution and plastic pollution, which have detrimental effects on the health of its residents and the local environment. Air pollution in the Philippines is caused primarily by vehicular emissions and the burning of fossil fuels, while plastic pollution is exacerbated by insufficient waste management systems and a high dependence on single-use plastics. These forms of pollution pose risks to human health, biodiversity, and the economy, with air pollution causing an estimated 27,000 to 66,230 premature deaths per year and plastic pollution degrading coastal ecosystems and reducing marine species populations.

Air pollution from fossil fuels causes premature deaths and costs the Philippines 1.9% of its GDP annually

The Philippines faces significant challenges due to pollution, including air pollution from fossil fuels, which has severe health and economic impacts on the country.

Air pollution from fossil fuels, primarily coal, oil, and gas, is a critical issue in the Philippines, causing an estimated 27,000 premature deaths annually, according to Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The report, "Toxic Air: The Price of Fossil Fuels," highlights the economic losses due to air pollution from fossil fuels, amounting to approximately 1.9% of the Philippines' GDP each year. This equates to a substantial cost for the country.

The health consequences of air pollution are dire, with an estimated 66,000 deaths annually attributed to air pollution in the Philippines. In 2019, this figure was even higher, with 66,230 deaths recorded. Air pollution is the third-highest risk factor for death and disability due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. The economic cost of these premature deaths is significant, with an estimated value of PHP 2.2 trillion (US$42.8 billion) in 2019. This amount represents the financial burden of exposure to air pollution for that year.

The sources of air pollution in the Philippines vary, but vehicular emissions are a primary contributor, especially in urban centers. Data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reveals that vehicular sources account for 65% of air pollution in the country, with Metro Manila being the most affected area. The country's growing energy demand, expected to increase by 4.6% annually, will likely exacerbate this issue. The rise in road vehicles is projected to reach 24.8 million by 2030, up from 6.6 million in 2010, intensifying air pollution levels.

To address the health and economic impacts of air pollution, the Philippines has implemented various policies and laws. The Clean Air Act of 1999, the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, and the Climate Change Act of 2009 are among the legislative measures in place to tackle environmental issues. Additionally, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is tasked with monitoring and preventing air pollution, and the Philippine Environmental Management Bureau enforces air quality standards and regulations.

The Philippines recognizes the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy sources and phasing out fossil fuel power plants. Greenpeace Philippines has emphasized the need for a shift to cleaner energy, such as wind and solar power, to reduce the health and economic burdens of air pollution and mitigate climate change impacts.

Vehicular emissions are the main cause of air pollution in the Philippines' urban centres

Vehicular emissions are the leading cause of air pollution in the Philippines' urban centres. The country's air pollution levels are increasing due to a growing number of fossil fuel pollution sources across various sectors. The Philippines' urban areas, particularly Metro Manila, are often affected by poor air quality, sometimes exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limits.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) has attributed the foggy atmosphere in the National Capital Region (NCR) to vehicular emissions, specifically heavy vehicular traffic during rush hour. The concentration of vehicles, especially during peak hours, has led to heightened pollution levels. According to the DENR, the current air pollution levels can be primarily attributed to emissions from heavy traffic and the effect of thermal inversion, which traps air pollutants at the surface level.

The significant increase in the number of vehicles has severe health implications. An estimated 66,230 deaths in 2019 were attributed to air pollution, making it a leading cause of death and disability due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The economic cost is also significant, with air pollution resulting in a loss of PHP 2.32 trillion or 11.9% of the country's GDP in 2019.

Jeepneys, a cultural icon of the Philippines, are also major contributors to air pollution. Most jeepneys use older, reconditioned diesel engines that emit large amounts of black soot and other pollutants. They account for over 15% of road transportation greenhouse gas emissions and 48% of airborne particulate matter in Manila. The Philippine government has recognised the problem and implemented measures such as the Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 to address environmental issues.

The Philippines is the third-highest contributor to marine plastics, which damage and kill marine animals

The Pasig River, located in Metro Manila, is the top river contributing to marine plastic waste. It contributes 6.43% of the total plastic waste found in the oceans. The Philippines is a tropical country, and the high volumes of precipitation it receives each year, along with surface runoff, stormwater, and sewage, carry plastic debris from land to rivers, which then carry the plastic to the sea.

The effects of plastic pollution on marine life are severe. Marine organisms are observed to ingest and become entangled in plastic waste, causing internal injuries and blockages in their digestive tracts and airways, which can lead to death. Plastics also absorb and adsorb contaminants like heavy metals and other toxic substances, which then enter the organisms that ingest them.

The Philippines has a high garbage collection rate, especially in urban areas, but many plastic wastes still leak into the ocean due to improper disposal. The country's dumpsites are often located near waterways, rivers, and coasts, and lack the infrastructure to control waste leakage into adjacent water bodies.

The proliferation of the "sachet economy" in the Philippines, where many consumer goods are packaged and sold in single-use containers, is a major contributor to the country's plastic pollution problem. Reports estimate that almost 60 billion sachets are used per year in the Philippines. The country's widespread poverty leaves citizens hunting for the cheapest alternatives, and large corporations exploit this by offering products in small, single-use packages.

The Philippine government has taken some steps to address the plastic pollution issue, such as passing the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates the prohibition of open dumpsites and the adoption of sanitary landfills. However, as of 2016, there were still many open dumpsites in operation, and the law has not been properly enforced.

Plastic pollution in the Philippines is due to a lack of sanitary landfills and restrictions on building new ones

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue in the Philippines, and it is exacerbated by a lack of sanitary landfills and strict restrictions on constructing new ones. The country generates 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, and approximately 20% of this waste ends up in the ocean. This has severe consequences for the coastal ecosystems and marine species in the Philippines.

The Philippines faces a significant challenge in managing its solid waste, particularly in urban areas like Metro Manila. Improper waste disposal, inefficient waste collection, and a dearth of disposal facilities are among the primary concerns. According to Crispian Lao, head of the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS), 70% of the Filipino population lacks access to disposal facilities and sanitary landfills. This has resulted in waste leaking into the oceans, damaging marine life and ecosystems.

The low compliance of cities in establishing sanitary landfills has been attributed to the high cost of closing dumpsites and stringent regulations for constructing landfills. The requirement to build landfills on clay and at a distance from earthquake faults is particularly challenging due to the country's limited clay resources and its location on multiple tectonic plates.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recognized the urgency of the situation and targeted the construction of 300 new sanitary landfills. However, reports indicate that only 56 have been built due to limited resources among local government units (LGUs). This issue is further compounded by the increasing amount of waste produced daily, with the available sanitary landfills filling up rapidly.

The Philippines has implemented laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 to address the waste problem. However, enforcement and compliance have been lacking due to political, financial, and technical limitations. There is a growing call for collaboration between producers, retailers, and waste management companies to develop solutions and reduce plastic pollution in the country.

Air pollution is the third-highest risk factor for death and disability due to non-communicable diseases in the Philippines

The Philippines experiences a triple burden of disease, with high incidences of key communicable diseases, rising rates of non-communicable diseases, and a high disaster risk. Air pollution is the third-highest risk factor for death and disability due to non-communicable diseases in the Philippines. It is also the leading environmental risk to health in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified air pollution as the single largest environmental health risk globally. In the Philippines, air pollution levels are increasing due to a growing number of fossil fuel pollution sources across various sectors. This has resulted in significant health and economic problems.

In 2019, air pollution caused 66,230 deaths in the Philippines, with an estimated economic cost of PHP 2.32 trillion (US$44.8 billion). This accounts for 11.9% of the country's GDP in 2019. The number of deaths and the economic cost are significantly higher than previously estimated, aligning with the most recent literature on the dangers of air pollution.

The Pasig River, which runs through the capital city of Manila, is one of the world's most polluted rivers. It collects 72,000 tons of plastic waste annually, contributing to the degradation of the coastal ecosystem and the reduction of marine species populations.

The Philippines is a member of the Regional Forum on Environment and Health and hosted the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum in 2016. The country has also taken steps to address environmental issues, such as passing the Clean Air Act of 1999, the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, and the Climate Change Act of 2009. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is responsible for implementing the Clean Air Act to monitor and prevent air pollution.

The WHO Country Office in the Philippines supports the Philippine Department of Health's environmental health programs, including the National Environmental Health Action Plan. According to Dr Gundo Weiler, the WHO Country Representative in the Philippines, the country is setting an excellent example by developing a six-year national environmental health action plan.

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