Community Health Nursing II
Task-based Group Activity
Module 2F: Man, The Environment and The Microorganism
General Task: Search for a recent article that shows environmental issue/s in the
Philippines. Accomplish your individual tasks and submit your group output as one (1)
file through CeLo+.
Article Title: DENR collects 11 tons of wastes from water bodies in C. Luzon
Provide an in-depth analysis of the data. (Minimum of 5 sentences)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR, collected 11
tons of mixed wastes from the water bodies in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga,
Central Luzon. According to Ms. Cynde Pagador, the regional focal person of Manila
Bay, said that the DENR river patrollers started cleaning the river during March and up
until now. There are about 300 river patrolers, that help together to clean up the rivers in
Central Luzon. Despite the pandemic situation of CoVid-19, they still continue to work
cleaning the rivers, aside from cleaning the rivers they also utilize plastic water bottles
through making it into eco-bricks and they also install trash traps in water bodies, this
helps to capture garbage before it flows farther downstream. The wastes that were
collected were brought to the Metro-Clark Sanitary Landfill in Capas, Tarlac, for proper
disposal. In addition Ms. Pagador said that the estero rangers are now coordinating with
the local government units (LGUs) to ensure that the collection and segregation of
garbages will be collected regularly and will be monitored as well, even though with the
Covid-19 pandemic. She also encourages the public to practice the 3R`s of waste
management which is to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste during this community
quarantine to minimize generation of solid waste and prevent dumping in rivers.
Explain the effects of the environmental issue to the community. (Minimum of 5
sentences)
Improper waste disposal of the community, especially onto the body of water can
have a detrimental effect to the community most likely their health status and their
livelihood. Pollution in the water in general is very bad to the environment and mostly to
the fishes because waste substances that has been thrown out by the people could be
toxic to them and would kill the mostly the fishes who are eating those wastes, but if
they are lucky to survive it would be a carrier of certain pathogens when consumed it
could be a leading factor for disease to humans like Parasites, Bacteriemia, Hepatitis,
and many more. And also most especially when it comes to sanitary people would be
affected due to the fact that their water is not clean so they would be limited in their
basic hygiene which increases their susceptibility to various diseases. Even in the
economy of the community would be greatly affected due to the fishes dying reflected
on improper waste disposal into the body of water. With less money to earn people in
the community would not acquire the basic necessities such as food, water, and
clothing which decreases their survival and capability to work as a human being. And
also people cannot use the water that has been gifted by nature because it was
destroyed by humans alone with improper waste disposal which is a sad reality. It would
also cause a shift in the communities livelihood meaning they would do anything for
money in order to survive which causes a lot of burglary and violence present in the
community.Children can be also greatly affected in this environment because they are
not aware of certain disease surfacing in the water which children would gladly swim
just to cool off their bodies which can be an entry point to pathogens and would cause
them great harm to deadly diseases.
Learner 3: Arne Jude Millares
List recommendations in addressing the issue based on the article. (At least 3)
1. Try to avoid using plastic containers. Plastic bottles may last for a decade and
are very difficult to dispose of. Using reusable, insulated containers to hold drinks
is a good alternative.
2. Install trash traps in water bodies. This will help in collecting or capturing
garbages before it flows further down the stream
3. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle will minimize solid waste and prevent water
pollution (land pollution as well)
4. Utilize the plastic water bottles by turning it into something that is useful like
making it into eco-bricks or anything.
5. Proper segregation and collection of garbage should also be monitored.
State the law/s concerning the issue.
Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275)
This aims to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution from land-based sources
(industries and commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household
activities). It provides for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and
minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the
stakeholders.
Management of water quality will either be based on watershed, river basin or water
resources region. Water quality management areas with similar hydrological,
hydrogeological, meteorological or geographic conditions which affect the reaction and
diffusion of pollutants in water bodies are to be designated by the DENR in coordination
with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 9003)
This law was created in response to the increasing garbage problems in the country. It
declares the policy of the state in adopting a systematic, comprehensive and biological
solid waste management program that ensures the protection of public health and the
environment and the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and
disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of best environmental
practices. Moreover, it shows the potentials and benefits of recycling not only in
addressing waste management problems but also in alleviating poverty,
Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990
(Republic Act No. 6969)
It provides for the regulation of all chemical substances that may pose threat to public
health and the environment through import, manufacture, sale, use, distribution, and
disposal as well as the regulation of all hazardous wastes from generation, transport,
storage, reuse/recycling, treatment and disposal
Registration of the following is required to ensure that industrial economic growth is
achieved in an environmentally sound manner to effectively manage hazardous wastes
in order to minimize human and environmental impacts cause by industrial activities:
○ Hazardous wastes generators
○ Hazardous wastes treater
○ Hazardous wastes transporter
List down your roles and responsibilities as a student nurse in protecting the
environment.
Student nurses can:
● advocate for protecting the environment by providing science based knowledge
about how a healthy environment is crucial to human health
● help keep waste safe by proper segregation, so that hazardous waste is treated
properly, and landfill waste is not over-treated, which is an energy-intensive and
expensive process
● assess and detect hazards when they exist and report serious environmental
threats to appropriate agencies
● develop and implement school-based activities and workplace wellness
programs centering on the importance of an healthy environment
● aid in formulation of public policy and legislation involving the environment
● encourage behavior change among people
Search for government programs applicable to the environmental issue reflected on the
article.
1. Clean Water Program-The program is implemented based on the established
environmental laws specifically RA 9275, the Philippine Clean Water Act (CWA)
that provides for a comprehensive strategy to address the degradation of our
water bodies.
2. Greenpeace Philippines-raises awareness of protecting the environment from
total devastation and strives for sustainable development. Their campaigns
include the prevention of hazardous waste imports and radioactive shipments,
illegal logging, a campaign against pollution and other key problems that the
environment is facing.
3. Worldwide Fund Philippines- The name of the organization says it all. Their
projects don’t only focus on food, water, and climate, but on wildlife as well.
4. Ecological Solid Waste Management Program-hereby declared the policy of
the State to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste
management program which shall ensure the protection of the public health and
environment;
Make an environmental program title and state its purpose.
Think Blue, Go Green!
Purpose: This environmental program aims to mitigate water pollution by implementing
rules and regulations in order to protect or preserve water bodies and also to protect the
people from potential health risks it may cause. This program will also develop and
upgrade the wastewater treatment facilities with the cooperation of the local government
units. There are assigned rangers that would initiate the installation of trash traps in
water bodies, eco-bricking, as well as assisting in the distribution of relief goods to
communities. Even during the current pandemic, operations in the manila bay should
push through as well as adhering to the national protocol of safe distancing and proper
personal protective equipment. This program’s objective is to restore what was once a
bay where people enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature’s gifts. Lastly, this program
will promote the development of recycling the wastes found in the bodies of water.
References:
Tecson, Z. (2020). DENR collects 11 tons of wastes from water bodies in C. Luzon.
Retrievedfrom:https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1108478?
fbclid=IwAR1TMMbyVMPEuM_E-lxv6xN9ppfheI4pEfPjx1JMkn8ahoiRps1-RygRhAc
Arellano, The LawPhil Project. Retrieved at
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2001/ra_9003_2001.html on October 15, 2020
Greenpeace Philippines. Retrieved at https://www.greenpeace.org/philippines/about-us/
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Clean Water Program. Retrieved at
https://denr.gov.ph/index.php/priority-programs/clean-water-program on October 15,
2020
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Ecological Solid Waste
Management. Retrieved at https://www.denr.gov.ph/index.php/priority-programs/solid-
waste-management On October 15, 2020
Canadian Sources Association. (2008). Environmental Health and Nursing [PowerPoint
Slides]. Retrieved from https://www.cna-
aiic.ca/~/media/cna/files/en/environmental_health_2008_e.ppt?la=en#:~:text=Nurses
%20have%20a%20role%20in,what%20setting%20we%20work%20in.
