Rich country acting poor

Editorial

A recent UN Environment Program (UNEP) report reminded us about the vast wealth of this country that is either wasted or ignored. The UN report, which was released in Manila, noted that green investments in the marine sector offer huge economic payoffs. For instance, the global fishing industry could boost earnings by $50 billion by restoring depleted fish stocks and by reducing fishing capacity to “optimal levels.” The report added that small-scale producers and traders in developing countries—presumably including those in the Philippines—make up a majorityof the 530 million people worldwide who depend offishing.

At current prices, fisheries contributed 2.2 percent to the GDP in 2009 in the Philippines, which is roughly a P10-trillion economy. The Philippines is still a predominantly agriculture country, and according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), fishery accounts for 24.4 percent of the agriculture sector. Fishery employs more than 1.6 million operators nationwide, including more than 1.3 million at the municipal level. Fish is also a major export commodity for the Philippines, which exported 196,521 metric tons in 2009 valued at $675 million.

The UNEP report suggests that the Philippines could do better. The fisheries bureau’s statistics bear this out. Fish exports in 2009 were lower than the previous year – 205,274 metric tons valued at $768 million. Apparently, people are to blame for the unrealized potential.

The UN report says that the inefficient use offertilizers, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, degrades groundwater and marine ecosystems, even contributing to the formation of oxygen-poor “dead zones.” In a related story, Agence France-Presse quoted a Filipino marine specialist who said that 49 percent of fertilizers used in the Philippines were washed into the sea. What a double whammy.

In the Philippines, fertilizers are not the only sourceof marine or water pollution, which is estimated to cost P67 billion annually, according to the Water Environment Partnership in Asia (WEPA), a project ofthe Japanese government. According to the WEPA website, the cost of pollution includes P3 billion spent on health services and an opportunity loss of P17 billion for fisheries and P47 billion for tourism. WEPA added that some 2.2 million metric tons of organic pollution are produced in the Philippines yearly, but agriculture was not the biggest contributor, even though it accounted for 37 percent. Residential homes produced 48 percent of the water pollution, while the industrial sector accounted for 15 percent.

Time for new department

For a developing country, the Philippines is throwing away or mismanaging its natural resources. Being an archipelago, this country can tap coastal resources for fishing, transportation and tourism. The Philippine coastline is more than 36,200 kilometers long, far more than the US despite its much larger land area.

Of course, changes at every level and sector of society need to happen if Filipinos are to enjoy the full bounty of the sea and other water bodies. For one, Filipinos need to stop treating the sea, lakes and rivers as a toilet or garbage dump. Congress and policymakers should also look into developing sewerage treatment plants and similar infrastructure. Plus, we need better coordination between government officials and stakeholders, particularly those in agriculture and fisheries with regard to the use of fertilizers.

More than those things, however, the country needs a new government body dedicated to lead the preservation and rehabilitation of marine resources – a Department of Oceans, Rivers and Lakes. Another option would be to spin off the BFAR from an agencyof the Department of Agriculture to a full-fledged Cabinet department equipped with more resources, personnel and powers. The bottom line is that we need an accountable body dedicated to the administration of our seas, rivers and lakes.

Admittedly, creating a new department for marine and other water resources is easier said than done. Some may question where the funding will come from, for instance. There are no easy solutions, no easy answers. But that should not stop people from trying.

The Philippines is endowed with abundant natural resources, and yet more than a third of Filipinos are poor. The people here are blessed with oceans, rivers and lakes – but many of them are dying. And worse, most of us see the problems, and yet we pretend to be blind.