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THE MALVAR CODE: AN EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY FRAMEWORK OF MALVAR, BATANGAS *Juvy G.

Mojares
**Philip D. Geneta ***Philip V. Mojares

*Batangas State University - Malvar


**Batangas State University Rosario *** ipa !ity !olleges" ipa !ity Batangas

#ojuvs$g#ail.%o# ABSTRACT o%al govern#ent units have the pri#ary responsi&ility to prote%t an' pro#ote sustaina&ility o( all )ater )ithin its territory (or the &ene(it o( the present an' (uture generations" as )ell. *o)ever" 'ue to #any (a%tors" )ater syste#s in the %ountry are su((ering (ro# pollution resulting to )ater +uality 'e%line. ,n response to a nu#&er o( state la)s prote%ting the )ater syste#s in the %ountry" the lo%al govern#ent o( Malvar has also 'one its part to ena%t #uni%ipal or'inan%es to prote%t river syste#s )ithin its territory. -hree or'inan%es )ere ena%te'" na#ely" River Prote%tion .r'inan%e" /nti- ittering .r'inan%e an' Sele%tive Plasti% Ban .r'inan%e. .

-his paper is an evaluation resear%h )hi%h ai#s to evaluate the e0isting environ#ental %o'e o( the #uni%ipality o( Malvar in Batangas. Spe%i(i%ally" this paper ai#s to evaluate the +uality" relevan%e an' e((e%tiveness o( the e0isting poli%ies on )ater resour%es parti%ular on )ater pollution a&ate#ent in the three river syste#s o( Malvar. -his resear%h #a'e use o( triangulation o( #etho's1 o&servation" intervie) an' survey. 2ey)or's1 poli%y (ra#e)or3" #uni%ipal environ#ental %o'e

INTRODUCTION 5ater pollution is a glo&al pro&le# &e%ause o( its severe i#pa%ts on the use(ulness an' value o( )ater resour%es an' negative i#pa%ts on e%osyste#s" (isheries" (oo' pro'u%tion" health an' so%ial 'evelop#ent" an' e%ono#i% a%tivities. -hough %lean )ater is a pu&li% or %o##on goo'" the e((e%tiveness o( )ater pollution %ontrol 'epen's in large part on the suita&ility" sta&ility an' a'apta&ility o( governan%e stru%tures an' institutions. -hat is )hy the nee' to (or#ulate poli%ies an' apply instru#ents to en%ourage sustaina&le )ater use an' %onsu#ption re#ains a #ajor %hallenge &oth in in'ustriali6e' an' in 'eveloping %ountries 72rae#er" !hou'hury" 8 2a#pa" 9::4;. ,n the Philippines" the o%al Govern#ent !o'e o( 4<<4 ai#ing to 'evolve po)er an' authority to lo%al politi%al units is %onsi'ere' a #ajor &rea3through in the Philippine legislature. /#ong the &asi% servi%es that )ere 'evolve' (ro# the national govern#ent to GUs is

environ#ental #anage#ent 7=la6egui" Rola" 8 !o0hea'" 9::4;. So to a''ress the issue o( )ater pollution" part o( govern#ent>s response to the pro&le# is the (or#ulation o( various poli%ies 7Greenpea%e" 9::?;. Malvar is a se%on' %lass #uni%ipality o( Batangas )ith nine rural an' si0 ur&an &arangays. Malvar" one o( the 4"@4A #uni%ipalities in the %ountry presu#e' to have passe' environ#ental prote%tion or'inan%es" has ena%te' an or'inan%e %alle' the =nviron#ental !o'e o( Malvar. Bor the prote%tion o( its three river syste#s" the River Prote%tion .r'inan%e is ena%te' in 4<<C" the /nti- ittering .r'inan%e in 4<<< )hile the Sele%tive Plasti% Ban .r'inan%e in 9:44. *o)ever" very little is 3no)n )ith respe%t to the #ain o&je%tives o( these or'inan%es as )ell as

the e0tent o( their i#ple#entation in ter#s o( the 'egree o( en(or%e#ent" an' %ost-e((e%tiveness o( i#ple#entation pro%ess. So this stu'y )as (o%use' on the evaluation o( the three or'inan%es in ter#s o( +uality" relevan%e an' e((e%tiveness to analy6e the poli%y (ra#e)or3 o( Malvar !o'e. METHODOLOGY Respon'ents )ere i'enti(ie' &ase' on t)o %riteria1 4; shoul' &e living near the river or tri&utaryD an' 9; shoul' have live' near the river or tri&utary sin%e 4<<C. -a&le 4 sho)s the &asi% in(or#ation o( the stu'y sites. -a&le 4. Basi% ,n(or#ation o( the Stu'y Sites River Sys e!s i" M#$v#r Drains to)ar' Status Eo. o( &arangay /rea %overe' San Juan River aguna 'e Bay Pollute' ? Santiago San Bernan'o uta Sur uta Eorte Bagong Poo3 Po&la%ion San Pio+uinto Bagong Poo3 Po&la%ion Balete River -aal a3e Eot pollute' 9 San Pe'ro 9 San Gregorio /lulo' River -aal a3e Eot Pollute' A Bulihan San ,si'ro Bilu%ao San Gregorio

Major !ontri&utor o( pollution &y househol'

-he 'ata )ere gathere' through a survey using +uestionnaires" 'o%u#entary resear%h" o&servation an' intervie)s )ith &arangay an' #uni%ipal o((i%ials. / total o( A: sa#ples )ere a'opte' an' proportionately 'istri&ute' to Bagong Poo3 an' Po&la%ion- &arangays %onsi'ere' as #ajor pollution %ontri&utor. -)enty househol'- respon'ents (ro# ea%h &arangay )ere sele%te' (ro# the list o( househol's living along the river sin%e Malvar- M=ER. reporte' that househol' use an' 'u#ping o( soli' )aste )ere %riti%al in these areas. F

-his stu'y )as li#ite' to San Juan River only sin%e its area )as populate' &y &arangay resi'ents #ostly in'igent an' #igrants. Bagong Poo3 is 'ire%tly a((e%ting the San Juan River )ith househol's living near it" )ashing %lothes an' 'u#ping gar&age into the river. Po&la%ion" on the other han'" has t)o river tri&utaries )here househol' %anal an' s#all s%ale hog raising )aste )ere 'ire%te' to. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A% &'#$i y () M'"i*i+#$ Or,i"#"*es 1. Historical Development -o 'o%u#ent ho) these or'inan%es evolve'" 3ey in(or#ant intervie)s )ere %on'u%te' to relate the events that &rought to the passage o( these la)s. -a&le 9 sho)s the histori%al 'evelop#ent o( the three #uni%ipal or'inan%es relate' to )ater pollution a&ate#ent. -a&le 9. *istori%al Develop#ent o( Muni%ipal .r'inan%es M'"i*i+#$ Or,i"#"*e River Prote%tion .r'inan%e His (ri*#$ Deve$(+!e" Muni%ipal .r'inan%e Eo. :4 s. 4<<C. -his or'inan%e )as ena%te' on Mar%h 4G" 4<<C. -hough the or'inan%e ha' not #entione' spe%i(i% la) as &asis (or ena%t#ent" 3ey in(or#ant sai' it )as passe' as or'inan%e in %o#plian%e o( an e0isting state la). Sin%e it )as &ase' (ro# a national la)" it prohi&ite' a%ts li3e 'yna#ite (ishing" an' other (or#s o( 'estru%tive (ishing" illegal logging an' s#uggling o( logs" s#uggling o( natural resour%es pro'u%ts an' o( en'angere' spe%ies o( (lora an' (auna )hi%h )ere not appropriate in the %onte0t o( Malvar river syste#s. ,t %overe' all rivers" strea#s" %ree3s an' all other #an #a'e %anals lea'ing to a river. Violations o( this or'inan%e shall &e punisha&le &y (ine not e0%ee'ing P9"@:: or i#prison#ent not e0%ee'ing si0 #onths or &oth. Muni%ipal .r'inan%e Eo. :4 s. 4<<<. -hough not #entione'" this or'inan%e ena%te' on Mar%h 4:" 4<<< )as again &ase' on a national la). Violations o( this or'inan%e shall &e punisha&le &y (ine (ro# P@:: to P9":::" or i#prison#ent o( t)o 'ays to three #onths" or t)o to three 'ays o( %o##unity %ivi% )or3. A

/nti- ittering .r'inan%e

Sele%tive Plasti% Muni%ipal .r'inan%e Eo. :4 s. 9:44. -his or'inan%e )as ena%te' Ban .r'inan%e on .%to&er @" 9:44 &ase' on /rti%le ,," Se%. 4G o( the Philippine !onstitution" /rti%le ,,, o( R./. ?4G: 7 o%al Govern#ent !o'e;" an' /rti%le ," Se%. 9 7&; o( R./. <::F 7=%ologi%al Soli' 5aste Manage#ent /%t o( 9:::;. /si'e (ro# non rene)al o( &usiness per#its" any person (oun' guilty o( violating se%tions @" G 8 ? o( the or'inan%e shall su((er a penalty ranging (ro# P4"::: to P9"::: or i#prison#ent o( not less than F: 'ays or &oth (ine an' i#prison#ent. 9. Activities River Prote%tion an' /nti- ittering .r'inan%es ha' no %itation o( a%tivity or series o( a%tivities to &e 'one in the i#ple#entation" only Sele%tive Plasti% Ban or'inan%e. -he Muni%ipal =nviron#ent an' Eatural Resour%es .((i%er 7M=ER.; shall #onitor the i#ple#entation o( this or'inan%e through the Muni%ipal Soli' 5aste Manage#ent Boar' in %oor'ination )ith &arangay o((i%ials" #ar3et stalls )ith Mar3et /'#inistrator" (oo' esta&lish#ents" gro%eries an' super#ar3ets. Upon approval" the Muni%ipal ,n(or#ation .((i%er shall %on'u%t #assive in(or#ation" e'u%ation an' %o##uni%ation %a#paigns using all possi&le #e'ia su%h as print" ra'io" television" an' internet. *o)ever 'ue to la%3 o( resour%es" ,=! )as 'one using print su%h posters an' (lyers only. 3. Resources Resour%es )here to get the (un' in the i#ple#entation o( the three or'inan%es )ere not #entione'. B% Re$ev#"*e () -e Or,i"#"*es Relevan%e is an in'i%ation o( response to %urrent nee's an' situation 7S/ER=M 9::4;. Base' on 3ey in(or#ant intervie)s" River Prote%tion an' /nti- ittering .r'inan%es )ere passe' in response to a tre#en'ous pollution along tri&utaries in Po&la%ion 'uring the 4<<:s. -hey sai' HGra&e ang &asura 'ati 'oon" )alang #a&u&uhay na is'a 'ahil napa3aiti#.I Sele%tive Plasti%

Ban .r'inan%e" on the other han'" )as passe' &e%ause o( the %logging pro&le#s 'ue to heavy %on%entration o( plasti% in %anals 'uring rainy season. C% E))e* ive"ess () I!+$e!e" # i(" 1. Mechanisms employed in the implementation process Both Po&la%ion an' Bagong Poo3 ha' no &arangay resolutions on the three or'inan%es. !hito Vista" &arangay se%retary o( Bagong Poo3 sai' H.n%e )e re%eive' the or'inan%e )e just i#ple#ent it. 5e have our in(or#ation 'isse#ination through &arangay general asse#&ly. .n the other han'" Polly inato%" &arangay se%retary o(

Po&la%ion e0plaine' that in the i#ple#entation o( or'inan%es" they %on'u%t &arangay asse#&ly an' have (lyers 'istri&ute' through gar&age %olle%tors. *e a''e' that &arangay %aptain ha' se%ret loo3 out (or violators &ut until no)" there is no single re%or' o( violator. 2. Extent of implementation and realization of o !ectives 5ith regar's to the e0tent o( i#ple#entation an' reali6ation o( o&je%tives o( the or'inan%es" it %oul' &e note' in -a&le F that Sele%tive Plasti% Ban .r'inan%e has the highest level o( a)areness )ith regar's to its e0isten%e )ith <?.@J" (ollo)e' &y /nti ittering )ith <:J an' the least is River Prote%tion .r'inan%e )ith @?.@J. -a&le F 'is%usses the e0tent o( i#ple#entation o( the three or'inan%es. -a&le F. =0tent o( ,#ple#entation an' Reali6ation o( .&je%tives
B#r#".#y

M'"i*i+#$ Or,i"#"*e

Bagong Poo3

:4 s. 4<<C River Prote%tion :4 s. 4<<<

E/ e" () I!+$e!e" # i(" #", re#$i0# i(" () (12e* ives () Or,i"#"*es Si0ty-(ive per%ent o( the respon'ents )ere a)are o( the e0isten%e o( this or'inan%eD 9FJ o( the# 3ne) the (ines an' penalties (or violatorsD G@J o( the# &elieve' that this or'inan%e %oul' &e o( help in prote%ting San Juan RiverD ho)ever" G@J o( the# o&eye' the or'inan%e. Einety per%ent o( the respon'ents )ere a)are o( the e0isten%e G

/ntiittering

Sele%tive Plasti% Ban

:4 s. 4<<C River Prote%tion :4 s. 4<<< /ntiittering


Po&la%ion

Sele%tive Plasti% Ban

o( this or'inan%eD ?CJ o( the# 3ne) the (ines an' penalties o( violating the or'inan%eD @?J o( the# )ere in(or#e' in the &arangay through general asse#&ly an' 'istri&ution o( posters an' (lyersD ?@J o( the# &elieve' that this or'inan%e %oul' &e o( help in the prote%tion o( San Juan RiverD ?@J o( the# o&eye' the or'inan%e )ith 4::J %o#plian%e. Respon'ents )ere 4::J a)are o( the e0isten%e o( this or'inan%eD <:J o( the# 3ne) the (ines an' penalties o( violating itD CAJ o( the# )ere in(or#e' a&out the or'inan%e in the &arangay through general asse#&ly an' 'istri&ution o( posters an' (lyersD C:J &elieve' that this or'inan%e %oul' &e o( help in the prote%tion o( San Juan RiverD <:J o( the# o&eye' )ith CF.FJ using e%o &ags. .nly @:J o( the respon'ents )ere a)are o( the e0isten%e o( this or'inan%eD @:J &elieve' that it %oul' prote%t San Juan River tri&utariesD an' @:J o( the# o&eye'. Respon'ents )ere <:J a)are o( the e0isten%e o( this or'inan%eD ?@J 3ne) the (ines an' penalties o( violating itD C?.@J o( the# )ere in(or#e' &y the &arangay through general asse#&ly" postersK(lyers an' gar&age %olle%torD <@J &elieve' that it %oul' help in the prote%tion o( river tri&utariesD <@J o&eye' an' A?J )oul' segregate )aste (or %o#plian%e. Respon'ents )ere <@J 3no)le'gea&le o( the or'inan%e )ith <@J 3no)le'ge on the (ines an' penaltiesD @@J o( the# )ere in(or#e' through the joint e((orts o( the &arangay %oun%il in the asse#&ly an' gar&age %olle%tor in the 'isse#ination o( in(or#ationD <@J o( the# &elieve' that it %oul' prote%t the river tri&utaries an' <@J o( the# o&eye' )ith F9J use o( e%o &ag an' @J non-use o( plasti%.

3. "acilitatin# and constrainin# factors in the implementation process / 3ey area (or the su%%ess(ul i#ple#entation o( legislative #easures (or spe%i(i% so%ietal issueKs is the politi%al )ill o( the lo%al govern#ent units %on%erne'. -he lo%al govern#ent #anage#ent in the 4<<:s is (ar 'i((erent )ith the present #anage#ent (or having his (lagship progra# 3K A.e",# )hi%h $apali#iran is one o( the (ive 2s. -he e0isten%e o( or'inan%es or la)s" ho)ever" shoul' &e supporte' &y govern#ent logisti%s (or its e((e%tive i#ple#entation 7 auraya" et al." 9:4:;. Bro# the point o( vie) o( the

#uni%ipal govern#ent" i#ple#entation pro%ess )as greatly a((e%te' &y the syste# o( a very long )ait (or the release o( (un's. ,n the &arangay level" a very strong pu&li% support syste# o( the resi'ents through atten'an%e to general asse#&ly (a%ilitate' the i#ple#entation o( the or'inan%es. Posters an' (lyers 'istri&ute' &y M=ER. )ere also o( great help. .n the other han'" politi%s )as a #ajor %onstraining (a%tor. -he %hange o( &arangay o((i%ials %hange' also the #anage#ent an' priorities. -here(ore" %ontinuity )as usually 'eraile'. CONCLUSIONS 4. *istori%al 'evelop#ents o( the three or'inan%es reveale' o( a poli%y (ra#e)or3 )hi%h is top 'o)n approa%h. 9. -hese or'inan%es )ere o( great relevan%e to the nee' to prote%t San Juan River an' its tri&utaries. F. -he a&sen%e o( ,#ple#enting Rules an' Regulations 7,RR; (or River Prote%tion an' /nti- ittering .r'inan%es a((e%ts the e0tent o( their i#ple#entation. RECOMMENDATIONS 4. ,t is re%o##en'e' that three i#portant things to %onsi'er in the pursuit o( re(or#s (or lo%al environ#ent #anage#ent shoul' &e relevan%e" en(or%ea&ility" an' sustaina&ility 7S/ER=M 9::4;. 9. Parti%ipatory approa%h is re%o##en'e' so that the legal an' institutional (ra#e)or3s ensure that every one>s responsi&ility is %learly 'e(ine'D thus" synergy a#ong various entities is nee'e'.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT -he authors )ere very grate(ul to *onora&le !arlito P. Reyes" Muni%ipal Mayor" (or sponsoring the e0penses (or the presentation o( this paperD Mrs.='itha U. =use&io" Muni%ipal =nviron#ent 8 Eatural Resour%es .((i%er" (or provi'ing all the se%on'ary 'ata nee'e' in the stu'yD an' Sa#uel 'el Mun'o (or assisting in the a'#inistration o( survey +uestionnaires in the %o##unity.

REFERENCES =la6egui" D." Rola" /. an' !o0hea'" ,. 9::4. Poli%y ,#peratives (or Eatural Resour%e Manage#ent un'er a De%entrali6e' Regi#e1 -he Philippines !ase. / Paper presente' at the S/ER=M Resear%h Synthesis !on(eren%e" Eove#&er 9C-F:" 9::4" in /thens" Georgia" US/. Greenpea%e. 9::?. -he State o( 5ater Resour%es in the Philippines. 2rae#er" R." !hou'hury" 2. an' 2a#pa" =. 9::4. Prote%ting 5ater Resour%es1 Pollution Prevention. -he#ati% Ba%3groun' Paper. ,nternational !on(eren%e on Bresh)ater auraya" B ." Dulles%o" E. an' !an'elaria" /. 9:4:. !urrent State o( Marine Bishery Resour%eRelate' .r'inan%es in Sele%te' Marine Prote%te' /reas in Bi%ol Region" Philippines. / Paper presente' to the Ath /sian Rural So%iology /sso%iation 7/RS/; ,nternational !on(eren%e hel' on Septe#&er 9:4: at ega6pi !ity" Philippines. S/ER=M" 9::4. !on(eren%e on Sustaining Uplan' Develop#ent in Southeast /sia1 ,ssues" -ools an' ,nstitutions (or o%al Eatural Resour%e Manage#ent" sponsore' &y S/ER=M !RSP" /!!==D !on(eren%e !enter" Ma3ati" Metro Manila" Philippines.

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