PREFACE

The purpose of this report is to assess and explain the present environmental and health

problems and issues that challenged and threatened the community of Barangay 6, Mamburao,

Occidental Mindoro. The report is also a requirement for the partial fulfilment of Master in

Environmental Management Environmental Communication subject. The report focuses

primarily on the environmental problems and issues that need to be addressed and the

recommended solutions and strategies to implement to prevent further environmental

degradation, ground water contamination and pollution of Mamburao River.

Because the various parts of the report reflect the successes, observations and comments, it

would be imperative that the recommendations are also given.

It is hoped that this report would serve as a cardinal vehicle to the improvement of the

wastewater and environmental management and to increase environmental awareness in the

community.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We wish to thank the Barangay Officials of Barangay 6 thru the leadership of Honorable Susan
Bondad for accepting and fully supporting us for this critical community assessment.

This assessment would not have been possible without the support and assistance of a number
of people from the Local Government of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro and DENR, Mamburao,
Office.

A special word of thanks is due to Mr. Alexander Coden, Chief of Environmental Management
Section of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, Mamburao, Occidental
Mindoro, and Engr. Ariel P. Cortuna, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, LGU-
Mamburao who provided valuable information.

To end with, the assessment team extends our gratitude and thanks to the community
members, and local authorities who spent their valuable time to meet us and provided us the
information we needed from the beginning till the end.

Ma. Shella Santiago Cabrera

Romina Maniaol
Theresa Calo
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgement

Executive Summary

Introduction

Objectives

Methodology of the Research

Importance of the CEAR

Brief Socio-Economic Profile of Barangay 6

Environmental Problems and Issues

Recommended Solutions

Strategies

Conclusions

Annexes

Annex A Photos of the Existing Temporary Fish Market

Annex B Photos of the Problem the Improper Discharge of Wastewater

Executive Summary

Public markets generates a variety of wastes that must be managed properly to minimize public
health risks and pollution of Mamburao River and to improve the general cleanliness of the area
for the benefit of the market workers, customers and affected residents of the area.

During the first days of the environmental assessment it became clear that while the community
affected by the presence of the Temporary Fish Market faced serious problems with solid waste
and waste water management, the major big and obvious risk with respect to direct impacts
on human health was the matter of the odor of the fish market and its wastes. As such, it was
given top priority by key actor such as Solid Waste Management and Health, as well as by this
assessment mission.

The everyday operation of the Temporary Fish Market is the key issue of the present pollution
situation in the community. Currently, the Temporary Fish Market has not waste treatment
facility.

No major big and obvious risks with respect to direct impacts on human health specifically
stomach pain due to the foul odor brought by the solid waste and waste water of the temporary
fish market were identified. However, it was clear that wastes (solid and liquid) had a negative
impact on the environment due to pollutants present in the market wastes.

During the environmental assessment it became clear from community meetings that the foul
smell from the standing waste water in the catch basin was not the only problem but ground
water contamination and environmental degradation of Mamburao River was becoming an issue
and was likely to increase in the coming days.

Introduction

In March 2010, the Public Market of the Municipality of Mamburao was relocated to the old fish
port of Barangay 6 to give way to the construction of the new public market. However, five
months later the fish market was relocated again to a private lot along Salvador Street to give
way to the construction of a multi-purpose hall.

The relocation area of the fish market is a heavy populated area of the Barangay. Despite the
residents opposition, the fish market was relocated in the area with the consent of the Barangay
officials and of the lot owner.
During the first week of operation of the fish market, complaints of stomach pain among the
residents especially children are become the main concern and issue in the community.

The solid wastes (fish entrails and scales) that are not collected at the end of the market hours
and the waste water stocked in the catch basin caused incredible foul smell.

The waste water flows from the working table of the vendors to a PVC pipe which is connected
to the existing canal of the Barangay. Said canal is connected to an old culvert at the bottom of
a business establishment. However, the old culvert serves as water channel from the drainage
canal to the outlet attached to the protection dike only when there are heavy rains.

The waste water disposal system of the fish market is designed to allow water flow to the old
culvert down to the final outlet the Mamburao River.

During the environmental assessment, it has been observed and found out that the waste water
discharged in the fish market is stocked in a catch basin attached to the drainage canal. The
catch basin was installed to enable the suspended solids settle at the bottom, thereby, only
waste water will flow in the canal.

However, it was found out that the waste water discharged is not enough to allow continuous
flow of water down to the outlet, the Mamburao River. Instead, waste waters settle at the land
surface beneath the houses of the residents of the barangay.

Evidently, the waste waters of the fish market stocked in the catch basin and flowed down in the
surface produce foul odors that might put the health of the community into a major risk.

However, there is no clear evidence that the foul odor has indeed caused health problems to the
residents. What is certain is the water and land pollution the waste water generated by the fish
market will cause to the environment and the disagreeable odors that cause nuisance condition
to the community.

Objectives
The environmental assessment aims:

1. To protect the health and well-being of the community

2. To prevent disease and nuisance conditions
3. To avoid contamination of water supplies
4. To prevent degradation and pollution of Mamburao River
Methodology of the Research

A qualitative research approach, as described by Creswell (2003), was utilized in gathering data
in order to explore the stated objectives. This approach was used due to the fact that in order to
meet the research objectives more subjective and experienced based information would be
required of research participants. Also, due to the emergent nature of CEA it seemed
appropriate to use this approach. In addition, this research used a participatory approach to
gathering data.

Specific methods applied included a Community Environmental Assessment, semi-structured

interviews, document reviews (Creswell, 2003), and participant observation. Community
Environmental Assessment was used to provide systematic and consistent value judgments
which can be compared over time and gather information in order to analyze the environmental
effects of planned and/or completed activities. Document reviews as well as interviews with staff
from the Municipal Government of Mamburao were used to gather information on how
participation and learning were facilitated in the CEA process. Community members were also
asked to give an autobiographical account of their experiences with CEA.

Importance of the CEAR

This Community Environment Assessment Report is important because it enhance the

knowledge of the residents of Barangay 6 of the environmental issues. Further, it will improve
human health and provide, provide a healthier environment and increase community skills,
knowledge and pride. This CEAR will eventually pave the way for introducing innovations that
will lead to a better waste water management in the Fish Market of Mamburao.

Brief Socio-Economic Profile of Barangay 6

Barangay 6 is one of the urban barangays of the Municipality of Mamburao. The Barangay lies
on the level area of the coastal bank of Mamburao River. It is bounded on the west by
Mamburao River, on the east by Barangay 5, on the north by Barangay 8 and on the South By
Mamburao Bay. Barangay 6 lies on the level area of the river bank of Mamburao River.

Barangay 6 has a total population of 607 and a total household of 113 based on the 2007
Census Report. It covers a land area of 3.34 hectares.

Barangay 6 is the present trade center of Mamburao, having the Temporary Public Market of the
Municipality (Wet and Dry). With the challenges of urbanization, the Barangay faces the
problem of overpopulation. Informal settlers are prevalent in the barangay, especially along the
protection dike.

Environmental Problems and Issues

Generally, the wastewater generated from the Fish Market contains high level of organic
materials and solids classifying it as high-strength wastewater.

The wastewater from the Temporary Fish market is not only contaminating the surface water,
specifically the Mamburao River but it also produces foul smell in the drainage canal which
results from the untreated wastewater that obviously threatening the health of the residents.

With this situation, Barangay 6 has been faced with health and water related issues due to
increasing amounts of untreated and insanitary wastewater from the Temporary Fish Market that
is released to the land surface and to Mamburao River which plays an important role in the
ecosystem of the Barangay.

The direct disposal of waste into Mamburao River causes waste to build up within the water
which suddenly creates a pungent odor. Also, this waste decreases the amount of oxygen in
water, causing the death of aquatic animals or other organisms.

On the other side, the majority of the poor households of the Barangay depend upon deep wells
for potable water, which is known to be contaminated due to the untreated wastewater released
by the households themselves to the river and which is worsen by the untreated wastewater
from the Fish Market.

Recommended Solutions
In order resolve the environmental and health problem and issues the community of Barangay 6
is facing due to the untreated wastewater of the Fish Market, it is recommended to improve the
existing drainage canal of Barangay 6 to prevent the emission of foul smell to the community.
Since the Temporary Fish Market is seen to stay longer in the area, it is highly to provide an on-
site wastewater treatment system.

A wastewater treatment facility entails a high cost construction and the Barangay may not be
capable of financing the system. However, the barangay may request the Municipal
Government of Mamburao (fish market operator) to provide the facility since the same has the
key responsibility in the maintenance of the fish market and in the proper discharge of the
wastewater.

Since the Fish Market is temporary in the area, it is unfeasible to construct a long-term
wastewater treatment structure. Selecting a low-cost technologies wastewater treatment facility
is the best option and most suitable to the circumstances. A purifying septic tank can be
installed as primary treatment facility. In addition, a low-cost decentralized wastewater treatment
system (DEWATS) can also be installed in the Fish Market. This low-cost decentralized
wastewater treatment is a technology straight from the trash bin. The DEWATS us a plastic
septic tank connected to an anaerobic reactor, an aerobic reactor and an algal pond.

On the other hand, the community should conduct a regular clean up in the affected area and in
the Mamburao River to prevent and minimize contamination of the surface and ground water.
Information dissemination on the risks that may pose by the wastewater pollution should be
conducted to make people aware and take upon them the responsibility of protecting their
environment.

Strategies

Adoption of Integrated Wastewater Management and Environmental Management and

Conservation
Improvement of the drainage canal and installation of pvc pipe line
Installation of Purifying Septic Tank in the Fish Market
Construction of low-cost decentralized wastewater treatment system (DEWATS)
Maintenance of cleanliness of the Fish Market and drainage canal
Organize rehabilitation and regular clean up drive in the Mamburao River
Information and Awareness Campaign
Development of regulatory approach in the wastewater discharge among the Fish
Market vendors
Strict prohibition on the illegal dumping of solid and liquid wastes on and around the
Mamburao River

Conclusion

Although water pollution has a large negative effect on the health, quality of life and
environment of the people of Barangay 6, most members of the community are wary of
addressing this critical issue. The absence of wastewater treatment system in the Fish Market
can be attributed to some constraints which include: lack of funds for infrastructure, water
pollution control has been neglected and very little awareness among community members and
local government on threats of the untreated wastewater.

In spite of these obstacles and challenges, local government and community members must
preserver in trying to solve the problem, one small step at a time.

The following are the expected key outcomes from the implementation of the strategies action
plan:
 The treatment facility will help lower the water pollution due to decrease in the BOD level
of wastewater discharge into Mamburao River
Lessened if not eliminated the foul smell from the standing wastewater in the drainage
canal
Increased public awareness on proper waste disposal, wastewater management and
sanitation
Increased public accountability on the environmental protection and management

Readings:

USAID (United States Agency for International Development). (October 2009). Sanitation Technology Information
Sheet

David Krantz and Brad Kifferstein. Water Pollution and Society. http://www.umich.edu

ADB (Asian Development Bank). Country Water Action: Philippines Using Solid Waste to Treat Water Waste.
http://www.adb.org/water/actions/phi/using-solid-waste.asp
Annex A

Photos of the Fish Market

Annex B

Photos of the Fish Market Wastewater Discharge