SDG 14 Life Below Water - Teagan

Certain industrial areas in the Philippines, such as around Manila Bay, face serious issues with industrial wastewater discharge. 

The Philippines has extensive agricultural activities, especially in rice, sugarcane, and fruit cultivation. The heavy use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides often leads to an excess of chemicals being washed into rivers, eventually reaching the ocean.

The Philippines is one of the largest contributors to global plastic waste. It is estimated that the country discharges around 100,000 tons of plastic waste annually. Plastic pollution in the Philippines primarily stems from consumer habits, the lack of an effective waste management system, and improper waste disposal. 

The Philippines' coastal areas are heavily involved in oil exploration and transportation. Oil spills and leakage accidents frequently occur, especially during transport, potentially releasing large amounts of oil into the ocean. 

The Philippines has abundant fisheries, but overfishing, illegal fishing practices, and poor fisheries management have led to the depletion of marine resources. 

Enforce Stricter Regulations: Strengthen enforcement of existing environmental laws, such as the Clean Water Act (Republic Act No. 9275), and introduce more stringent penalties for violators. Regular monitoring and inspection of industrial facilities are crucial. 

Buffer Zones and Riparian Strips: Establish vegetative buffer zones along rivers and coastal areas to absorb excess nutrients and prevent soil erosion. 

Targeted awareness campaigns: According to Oguge et al. (2021), youths were more concerned about the impacts of single-use plastic pollution. As a result, a great majority (95%) expressed willingness to switch to reusable alternatives if provided with financial incentives. Thus, targeted awareness campaigns are necessary to bridge the knowledge–practice gap. 

Stronger Enforcement of Maritime Safety Standards: Enhance regulations for the shipping industry to prevent oil spills. This includes regular inspections, safety drills, and the use of double-hull tankers to prevent spills.

Enforce and Strengthen Fisheries Laws: Strengthen the enforcement of laws such as the Fisheries Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8550) to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This includes increased patrols and the use of technology (e.g., satellite tracking) to monitor illegal activities.