National report of the Philippines on the formulation of a transboundary diagnostic analysis and preliminary framework of a strategic action programme for the South China Sea / United Nations Environment Program. East Asian Seas Regional Coordinating Unit.

Includes bibliographical references

This country report aims to facilitate the establishment of a "report card" system on water- related issues of the Philippines which can be compared with information from other countries in the UNEP-East Asian Seas region. The attempt to identify transboundary concerns within the South China Sea is important especially to the coastal States bordering it. The Philippines is one of the countries occupying the easter border of the South China Sea and is dependent on the South China Sea as an important life support system. In addition, the Philippines is one of the claimants to the Spratly islands, wherein the Kalayaan Island Group occupies a portion of the contested area. Despite the conflicting claims the transboundary concerns of the water-related issues, pollution, water supply, over-exploitation and habitat modification, are concerns of all the coastal states Highlighting the gravity of these concerns are attempts to estimate the socio-economic losses that may be accrued from these stresses. A wide indicative range of around $0.3-9 billion annually has been suggested.

As an archipelago, the major concerns of the Philippines focus primarily in the western part of the country from the northern area in the Batanes region and north-western Luzon to the southern sections of Mindoro and Palawan.

Regarding pollution the highest concern is around the Metro Manila area, and of intermediate concern is the Lingayen Gulf and Batangas-Verde Island Passage area and to a lesser degree the area in north-west Palawan. Water shortages and contamination of freshwater supplies follow a similar pattern of concern as both are related to population growth and urban development. Over-exploitation of living resources and habitat changes are also associated with these development trends, although understanding the natural variability of ecosystems and natural populations cautions us not to trivialize and make broad generalizations. The reiteration of the need to incorporate the concept of carrying capacity and sustainable yields in good management practice is also necessary.

Inversely, the importance of establishing protected areas can focus on a network of large national representative sites of highly sensitive areas such those in western Palawan (including the Kalayaan Island Group) and the Batanes region.

Understanding and action leading to adaptive management approaches also has to be pursued in the context of the proposed social-economic options available in the areas concerned. Since the issues are caused primarily by human activities interacting with the environment, then interventions have to deal with the holistic nature (i.e., natural and man induced) of the problem. Specific actions are proposed for each issue ranging from: (a) the policy concerns and guidelines for action, (b) legal and institutional arrangements, (c) monitoring, evaluation and control mechanisms, (d) public education and participation and (e) capacity-building needs.

Although all the concerns are interrelated in a geographic and issue perspective, treatments per topic are made only for emphasis. But time and again, mention is made of the need to consider the interconnected nature of transboundary issues (for example. pollution and endangered species and habitats). In addition, the context of how they are going to be solved requires an appreciation of the necessary complementary action from the local, national, regional and global setting. Intersectoral coordination will facilitate integrated action in a multidimensional regime.

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