ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (A REVIEW)

SUBJECT DESCRIPTION:
 This subject covers Ecology and the PNP’s Master Plan for the protection and preservation of
the Environment, Cultural Heritage, and Natural Resources.
 This includes the (5) five immediate concerns that should be addressed for the protection of
the environment and natural resources; the pertinent provisions on Environmental, Cultural,
and Natural Resources; PNP’s Plan against Illegal Destruction of Marine Life and Illegal
Logging; PNP Campaign Plan to protect the Coconut Industry, and the Forestry Reform
Code of the Philippines.
OBJECTIVE:
 To discuss what is Ecology and factors that affect the Environment.
 To explain the objectives and concept of operations of “SANGYAMAN”, the PNP’s Master
Plan to help protect and preserve our environment and natural resources.
 To identify the five immediate concerns that should be addressed for the protection of the
environment and natural resources.
 To specify some of the pertinent provisions of the Environmental, Cultural, and Natural
Resources Laws.
 To state the operational concepts of LOI 28/96 NIYOG, LOI 36/93, DUHAT, and LOI 48/93
CHESA.
I. WHAT IS ECOLOGY

 It is the study of the relationship between the Organism and their Environment.
 Relationship between organisms and their environment. Interaction of living and non-
living things.
FACTORS THAT ENFLUENCE AN ECOSYSTEM
Biotic and Abiotic factors - determine the survival and growth of an organism and the productivity
of the ecosystem in which an organism lives.

 Biotic Factors- Living Factors (Plants, animals and Microbes)

 Abiotic – Physical, non-living factors that influence an ecosystem (temperature, precipitation,
humidity, wind, nutrients, sunlight)

LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION OF AN ECOSYSTEM

As numbers and interactions between organism increase, the levels increase in complexity

 Biosphere
 Biome
 Ecosystem
 Community
 Population
 Organism
 • Biosphere - contains the combined portions of the planet in which all of life exist, including
land, water and atmosphere
• Biome – Ecosystem with the same climate with similar community.
• Community – Group interacting populations that with the same area
• Population- a group organism with the same species that share with same area
• Organism – individual species (plant, Animal, and Microbes)
OTHER FACTORS THAT AFFECT AN ECOSYSTEM
- HABITAT - The area where an organism lives. provide populations of wildlife
with food, water, shelter and space.
- A niche is the full range of physical and biological conditions in which an
organism lives and the way in which the organism uses those conditions. It is an
organisms’ occupation.
WATER CYCLE:

 Evaporation – process of becoming a vapor; liquid to a gas

 Condensation – state of matter from gas to liquid; reverse of vaporization

 Precipitation – the amount of water that falls to earth as snow, sleet, hail, rain, mist

 Transpiration – loss of water from a plant through its leaves

 Runoff – the flow of water, from snow and rain

 Infiltration – process by which water on the ground enters soil

CO2 Cycle Description

 Plants release O2 into atmosphere as a waste product

 Animals release CO2 into atmosphere as a waste product

 Factories and cars release CO2 into atmosphere through combustion.

 Plants use CO2 during photosynthesis and animals use O2 for respiration.

Energy Flow

 Every organism needs energy to power life’s processes

 The flow of energy through an ecosystem is one of the most important factors that determines
the ability to sustain life
ENERGY FLOW FACTORS
1. Autotrophs (Producers)
 Captures energy from sunlight or chemicals and use that energy to produce food. (PLANTS)
 Are essential for the flow of energy through the biosphere
 Produce food through Photosynthesis
 2. Heterotrophs (Consumer)

 Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply.
 Types of Consumers:
 Herbivores – is an organism mostly feed on plant
 Carnivores – is an organism mostly eat meat/flesh of an animal
 Omnivores - is an organism that eat both plant and meat of an animal.
 Decomposers –are organism that breakdown dead decaying organism
 Detritivores- organism that feed on organic waste of p

Food Chains
 -A food chain is a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being
eaten.

II . ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SANGYAMAN
 PNP’s Master Plan for the Protection and Preservation of the Environment Cultural Heritage
and Natural Resources.
Introduction
A. Purpose and scope
- Prescribes the guidelines to be followed by tasked PNP Units/Offices, in assisting lead
government agencies:

- In the enforcement of laws over Philippine territorial waters, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges,
forest;
 Including laws and ordinances to preserve, protect and enhance our environment and natural
resources; and
- In close coordination with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), Department Agriculture, National Museum and other tasked government and non -
Government agencies.

OBJECTIVE:
A. Broad Objectives:
To protect, conserve our environment and natural resources, coordination with and in direct
support of all concerned government agencies
B. Specific objective:
1. To protect lives;
2. To assist in enforcing environmental and cultural property laws in close coordination with
tasked government agencies; and
3. Community participation in the protection, conservation and development of environment and
natural resources.
FIVE (5) IMMEDIATE CONCERNS OF SANGYAMAN
1. Forest Protection
2. Protection of Fisheries, Marine Life and Aquatic Resources
3. Ensuring Clean and Safe Land, Air and Water
4. Preservation of Endangered Species and other Wild Life
5. Protection of Cultural Properties
In view of the above enumerated problems concerning the environment, cultural properties
and natural resources, it is the policy of the state to protect the people by effectively enforcing
environmental protection laws that would address these problems
1. Forest Protection
 Statistics from the Bureau of Forest Development (BFD) maintains that 11.1 million
hectares of forestland are still covered with timber, satellite data and surveys
conducted by other quarters reveal a considerably smaller figure. According to the
Forestry Development Center of the University of the Philippines, the remaining
living forests may only cover an area of between 1.9 million and 2.4 million hectares.
Similarly, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO)
predicted that the country may lose all its forests within 15 years if the continued
destruction is not averted.
 Because deforestation’s manifold effects on the Philippines’ ecological balance is
already being strongly felt, particularly in the rural areas, the DENR admits that
available resources are not enough for conservation and reforestation programs which
are required tremendous funding to achieve goals
2. Protection of Fisheries, Marine Life and Aquatic Resources
 The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) claims its inability to stop illegal
fishing and harvesting of corals due to lack of finance assistance. The lack of public
awareness and cooperation in matters dealing with conservation is another stumbling block in
efforts to save the country’s dwindling natural resources. Blast fishing and muro-ami
operations have turned seabed’s into killing fields, as shown here in the Philippines. In a
recent convention on Conservation in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, conveners appeal for the
protection of the reefs.
 Coral reefs are considered one of the most productive ecosystems. Their direct relationship
with fish production has long been established as healthy reefs supports more fish. And in a
country like the Philippines, where a great percentage of the population depends on fishing as
means of livelihood, the importance of coral reefs, cannot be underrated.

3. Ensuring Clean and Safe Land, Air and Water

 The continuous alteration of the physical, chemical, nuclear and biological properties of
any water, air and/or land resources of the Philippines, or any discharge of any liquid, gaseous
or solid wastes at will has created and rendered harmful, detrimental or injurious effects to
public health or welfare, and further adversely affect their utilization for domestic,
commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational or other legitimate purposes.
4. Preservation of Endangered Species and Other Wild Life
 The profound impact of man’s activities on all components of the natural environment
particularly the effect of increasing population, resource
 exploitation, industrial advancement and man’s ignorance have caused severe lost to our
animal and plant resources. Recent assessment on the quantity of the varieties of terrestrial,
wetland and marine species of both flora and fauna revealed a very disturbing figure.
Nationwide, 89% of the 558 species of birds, 44% species of mammals and 8 species reptiles
are considered as endangered species. Similarly, plants in the vast forest areas in the country
are continuously experiencing vast destruction,
5. PROTECTION OF CULTURAL PROPERTIES
The Philippines has a unique and rich cultural heritage.
EVIDENCE:
-Ancient churches
- Ancestral homes
- Natural and man – made sceneries
The treasures contained within theirs are spread out throughout islands. However, due to
lack of awareness and attention, many of this God-made and man-made structure have
fallen into disrepair, because people have not been properly educated many historical
landmarks are exploited art pieces are disposed of rather indiscriminately.

3 PNP Environmental Operational Concepts

1: LOI 36/39 DUHAT – PNP’s Plan Against Illegal Logging
Statistics:
 1934 – more than 30 Million hectares land was virgin forest

 1990 – 6.7 Million hectares remaining forest land; 984,000 hectares are considered old-
growth. Virgin forest data has further dwindled to only 800,000 hectares.
2: LOI 46/93 CHESA –PNP’s Plan Against Illegal Destruction of Marine Life

 1. Joint understanding of PNP, Department of Agriculture ( DA ), Bureau of Fisheries and

Aquatic Resources ( BFAR ), other government agencies NGOs

 2. Bantay- Dagat Organization.

3: LOI 28/96 NIYOG – PNP Campaign to Protect the Coconut Industry

 1. Joint undertaking of PNP, Philippine Coconut Authority ( PCA ), other government

agencies and NGOs

 2. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)-top dollar earner of the country.

4 M’s PNP Professional Creed
1 : Maka-Diyos
2 : Maka-Tao
3 : Maka-Bayan
4 : Maka-Kalikasan
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
 Aquaculture- fishery operations involving all forms of raising and culturing fish and other
fishery species in fresh, brackish, marine areas.
 Air Pollutant- any matter in the atmosphere other than oxygen, nitrogen, water vapour,
carbon dioxide, and the inert gases in their natural or normal concentrations, that is
detrimental to health or the environment, which includes but not limited to smoke, dust, soot,
cinders, fly ash, solid particles of any kind, gases, fumes, chemical mists, steam and radio-
active substances.
 Air Pollution- any alteration of physical, chemical and biological properties of the
atmosphere air, any discharge thereto of any liquid, gaseous or solid substances that will or is
likely to create or to render the air resources of the country harmful, detrimental, or injurious
to public health, safety or welfare or which will adversely affect their utilization for domestic,
commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate process.
 Aquatic Pollution- the introduction by human or machine, directly or indirectly of substances
or energy to the aquatic environment which result or is likely to result in such deleterious
effects as to harm living or non-living aquatic resources.
 Aquatic Resources- includes fish, all other aquatic flora and fauna and other living resources
of aquatic environment, including but not limited to sea corals.
 Antiques- cultural properties found locally which are one hundred years or more of age or
even less, but their production having ceased, they have, therefore become or are becoming
rare.
 Artifacts- are articles which are products of human skills or workmanship esp. in the simple
product of primitive arts of industry representing past eras or periods.
  Biotic-inherent capacity of an organism or species to reproduce and survive “All by itself”.
 Coral Reef- a natural aggregation of coral skeleton with or without living coral polyps,
occurring in intertidal and subtidal marine waters.
 Ecosystem- the ecological community considered together in non-living factors and its
environment as a unit.
 Eco-theology-appreciation and study of mans’ responsibility and stewardship to the creation
and creature created and mandated by God the Creator. Ecological relationship of God’s
Sovereignty and human responsibility over creation and nature.
 Endangered, Rare, and/or Threatened Species- aquatic plants, animals including some
varieties of corals and sea shells in danger of extinction as provided for in existing fishery
laws, rules, and regulations.
 Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)- document issued by the government agency
concerned certifying that the project under consideration will not bring about an
unacceptable-environmental impact and that the proponent has complied with the
requirements of the environmental impact statement system.
 Greenhouse Gases- gases that can potentially or can reasonably expected to induce global
warming, which includes carbon dioxide, methane, oxides of nitrogen, CFCs, and the like.
 Fishing with Explosives- the use of dynamites, or other explosives or other chemical
compounds that contains combustible elements or ingredients which upon ignition by friction,
concussion, percussion, or detonation of all or parts of the compound will kill, stupefy,
disable, or render unconscious any fishery species.
 Hazardous Waste- substances that are without any safe commercial, industrial, agricultural,
or economic usage that are shipped, transported or brought from the country of origin for
dumping or disposal into or in transit through any part of the territory of the Philippines.
 Historical Site- any place, province, city, town, and/or location and structure which has
played a significant and important role in the history or our country and nation.
 Kaingin- shifting or permanent slash-or-burn cultivation of forest land having little or no
provision to prevent soil erosion
 Muro-Ami- fishing method that requires diving and other physical or mechanical acts to
pound the coral reefs and other habitat to entrap, gather or catch fish and other fishery
species.
 National Cultural Treasure- is a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding
historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to this
country and nation.
SUMMARY OF PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL, CULURAL AND
NATURAL RESOURCES PROTECTION LAWS
1. Forest Protection
PD No. 705 – Forestry Reform Code of the Phils.
Pursuant to the provision of PD no. 705 as amended and LOI No. 1020 and other pertinent
policies, laws and regulations, the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources or his duly
authorized representative have administrative authority to order the confiscation of any forest
products which are illegally cut, gathered, removed, possessed or abandoned, including all
conveyances used either by land, water or air in the commission of the offense and to dispose of the
same in accordance with pertinent laws, regulation or policies. In case where the apprehension are
made by the PNP, Phil Navy, Coast Guard and other government law enforcement agencies, the
apprehending agency shall notify the nearest DENR officer and turn over the seized forest products to
the CENRO/PENRO/RED concerned for further investigation and disposition.
PD No. 331
Requiring that all forest be developed, managed and utilized on a sustained yield basis with
benefit of technical forestry know-how of registered foresters.
2. Protection of Fisheries, Marine Life and Aquatic Resources
Republic Act No. 8550 –The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998
Section 86 of the Phil. Fisheries Code of 1998, better known as RA 8550, prohibit any person from
unauthorized fishing or engaging in other unauthorized fishery activities.
3. Ensuring Clean and Safe Land, Air and Water
Republic Act No. 7942 – The Phil Mining Act of 1995
All mineral resources in public and private lands within the territory and exclusive economic zone
of the Republic of the Philippines are owned by the state. It shall be the responsibility of the State to
promote their rational exploitation, development, utilization and conservation through the combined
efforts of the government and the private sector in order to enhance national growth in a way that
effectively safeguards the environment when necessary, any member or unit of the Philippine
National Police, barangay, duly registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) or any qualified
person to police all mining activities.
Republic Act No. 7160 –The Local Government Code
Pursuant to Sec 33 of RA 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code, all provinces,
cities, municipalities and barangays, through appropriate ordinances, are hereby mandated to
consolidate or coordinate their efforts, services and resources for purposes of jointly addressing
common solid waste management problems and/or establishing common waste disposal facilities.
R.A. No 9003- Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
disposal Aims to merge environmental protection with economic pursuits, recognizing the re-
orientation of the community’s view on solid waste, thereby providing schemes for waste
minimization, volume reduction, resource recovery utilization and
Republic Act No. 8749 – Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
 No motor vehicle shall be registered with the DOTC unless it meets the emission
standards set by the Department as provided in Section 21 hereof.
Presidential Decree No. 984 – Pollution Control Law
 No person shall throw, run, drain, or otherwise dispose into any of the water, air
and/or land resources of the Philippines, or cause or permit, suffer to be thrown, run,
drain, allow to seep or otherwise dispose thereto any organic or inorganic matter or
any substance in gaseous or liquid form shall cause pollution.
Republic act No. 6969 – Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of
1990
  Pursuant to RA 6969 Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of
1990, this program of the DENR-EMB covers the sound and proper management of industrial
chemicals and hazardous wastes in all aspects of its life cycle, from importation, manufacture,
distribution, transportation, use and disposal.
4. Preservation of Endangered Species and Other Wild Life
Republic Act No. 7586 –NIPAS Act of 1992
It is hereby established a National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), which shall
encompass outstandingly remarkable areas and biologically important public lands that are habitats of
rare and endangered species of plants and animals, biographic zones and related ecosystem, whether
terrestrial, wetland or marine, all of which shall be designated as “protected areas”.
Republic Act No. 3547 – an act defining and penalizing Cruelty to Animals.
It is unlawful to overdrive, overload, torture, torment, or neglect to provide with necessary
sustenance or shelter, or to cruelty beat or needlessly mutilate or kill any living creature (RA Act 3547
if 1929m as amended by RA 3548).
Commonwealth Act No. 73 of 1936
Commonwealth Act No. 73 of 1936 prohibits the hunting, killing, wounding or taking of the
Tamarraw (Bubalus mindorensis) and provides penalty thereof.
Republic Act No. 3983 of 1932
It is unlawful to take, collect, kill, mutilate or have in possession or to purchase, offer or
expose for sale, transport, ship or export alive or dead flowering plants, ferns, orchids, club moss and
other wild plants without permit from the government.
5. Protection of Cultural Properties/Heritage
 1987 Constitution
Art II, Section 17

 The state shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and
sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human
liberation and development.

 Arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The State shall conserve, promote and
popularize nation’s historical and cultural heritage resources, as well as artistic creations.
(Article XIV, Sec 15)

 Definition, Identification and Classifications (Article III, IV, V)

 Implementation of methods of Protection and Conservation (Article VII and VIII)

CULTURAL PROPERTY

 All products of human creativity by which people and nation reveal their identity; and

 Natural history specimens and sites,

 Sec. 3 (0), Natural Cultural Heritage Act

Cultural Heritage
 The totality of cultural property preserved and developed through time and passed on the
posterity
 Sec. 3(1), National Cultural Heritage Act

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