Chapter 2: EXISTING SITUATION 2.1. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Location Bataan is located in the southwestern part of the Central Luzon Region. It lies approximately at coordinates 120 o 15’ to 120 o 40’ latitude and 14 o 20’ to 14 o 50’ longitude. It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Zambales, on the northeast by Pampanga, on the west by South China Sea, and on the east by Manila Bay. Climate The climate in Bataan is categorized under Type I. There are two distinct seasons: the rainy season and dry season. The rainy season starts on the month of May and ends up around the month of October. The rest of the year is dry with occasional rains dispersed widely throughout the province. Occasional typhoons visit the area especially during the months of June to September. Topography Bataan is a mountainous land mass, dominated largely by uplands, hills, and mountains, covering 80.9 percent of its whole area (Figure 4). The lowlands and plains, which comprise 19.1 percent of the land area of the province, are generally flat, gently rising towards the hills. These areas comprise most of the agricultural portion of Bataan, found along the northern and eastern coasts facing Manila Bay. Hydrology The province is drained by numerous rivers and small streams with very few meanders radiating and sloping from the mountain groups down to the sea draining the whole area efficiently. There are more than one hundred rivers in the province which are very important not only for irrigation but also for purposes of navigation and fishing. Geomorphology The whole province of Bataan can be classified broadly with one volcanic terrain. Most of the highest elevations are considered parts of the collapsed caldera forming a ring-like structure with the suspected mouths, Mount Natib and Mariveles. Other high peaks are most likely the satellite vents of major volcanic craters presently occurring and dikes along the upper and mid-slopes of the volcano. Bordering these morpho-landforms are Undulating mountains serve as scenic background to the plains of the province.. Figure 4. Slope Map 11
Transcript
Chapter 2:EXISTING SITUATION
2.1. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Location
Bataan is located in the southwestern part of the Central Luzon Region. It lies approximately at coordinates 120o 15’ to 120o 40’ latitude and 14o 20’ to 14o 50’ longitude. It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Zambales, on the northeast by Pampanga, on the west by South China Sea, and on the east by Manila Bay.
Climate
The climate in Bataan is categorized under Type I. There are two distinct seasons: the rainy season and dry season. The rainy season starts on the month of May and ends up around the month of October. The rest of the year is dry with occasional rains dispersed widely throughout the province. Occasional typhoons visit the area especially during the months of June to September.
Topography
Bataan is a mountainous land mass, dominated largely by uplands, hills, and mountains,
covering 80.9 percent of its whole area (Figure 4). The lowlands and plains, which comprise 19.1 percent of the land area of the province, are generally flat, gently rising towards the hills. These areas comprise most of the agricultural portion of Bataan, found along the northern and eastern coasts facing Manila Bay.
Hydrology
The province is drained by numerous rivers and small streams with very few meanders radiating and sloping from the mountain groups down to the sea draining the whole area efficiently. There are more than one hundred rivers in the province which are very important not only for irrigation but also for purposes of navigation and fishing.
Geomorphology
The whole province of Bataan can be classified broadly with one volcanic terrain. Most of the highest elevations are considered parts of the collapsed caldera forming a ring-like structure with the suspected mouths, Mount Natib and Mariveles. Other high peaks are most likely the satellite vents of major volcanic craters presently occurring and dikes along the upper and mid-slopes of the volcano. Bordering these morpho-landforms are
Undulating mountains serve as scenic background to the plains of the province..
Figure 4. Slope Map
11
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
lava fields and flow plains with deep incision, steep cliffs, occasional gorges, and minor cascades.
Coastal areas are classified by typical marine land forms such as beaches, ridges, swales, and foreshore sand bars.
Geology
Basically, Bataan is tectonically sitting directly on top of an active subduction zone, which centers along the Manila trench. It is believed that this zone was responsible for the Early Pliocene to Early Holocene period of volcanic activities giving rise to varied depositions of volcanic rocks in the whole peninsula.
There are three (3) rock strategic units exposed in the area, namely: quaternary pyroclastics (QP), quaternary plug (Qp) and quaternary alluvium (Qal).
Quaternary pyroclastics occupy the rolling to hilly ground with infrequent deep incision in several sections of creeks and rivers. It is composed of volcanic breccias, tuff and tuff breccias, and lahars.
Quaternary plug is made wholly of alticandesites rock.
Quaternary alluvium occupies the low-lying areas which include the beaches and plains. These deposits are derived from weathering and erosion of older volcanic rocks that were later transported and deposited along stream channels.
Volcanoes
The presence of a chain of volcanoes in the Zambales – Bataan region, including the currently active Mt. Pinatubo, may put the province under threat of volcanic eruption. Mt. Pinatubo, some 40 kms. to the north, deposited a relatively thin but widespread ash cover over the Olongapo – Subic – North Bataan area during its last eruption. Similarly, the smaller, dormant volcanoes are Mt. Sta. Rita and Mt. Malasimbo.
In the eastern flank of the Bataan peninsula lays two large volcanic edifices, Mt. Natib on the north and Mt. Mariveles on the south.
Faults and Earthquake-prone Areas
An analysis of seismic tectonic elements proximate to Bataan indicates the following:
• The East Zambales Fault, a recently active tectonic lineament closely related to Mt. Pinatubo is about 60 km. east of the municipality of Samal;
• The Manila Trench, an active subduction zone, is 120 km. west of Luzon in the South China Sea;
• The seismically active Lubang Island – Mindoro Fault is about 100 km. to the south;
• The Digdig Fault (100 km. to the northeast) is the epicenter of the 7.8 magnitude North Luzon earthquake in July 1990; and,
• The rest of the Philippine Fault is farther to the eastern side of Luzon.
Figure 5. Seismicity of Bataan and vicinity
12
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
13
Map 3. Coastal Habitats and Resources
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
These tectonic elements are probable earthquake generators that would trigger ground-shaking and ground displacement. Bautista, et.al. (1992) have conducted probabilistic estimate of peak ground acceleration. For the Bataan area, a ground acceleration value of 0.1 g (1 times the force of gravity) within a 50-year return period was estimated. In the same study, Bautista, et.al. suggested that the risk of tsunami along the coastal areas of Bataan cannot be discounted since tectonic features around Bataan are capable of generating tsunamegenic earthquakes. Historically, the occurrence of a tsunami in Bataan that has been last recorded was on December 7, 1677.
Based on the distribution of earthquake epicenters in the whole archipelago, the strongest is, in fact, the eastern section, i.e. Eastern Mindanao, Samar, and Leyte. However, other relative active parts are the vicinities of Lubang Island – Mindoro, the East Luzon Trench, Casiguran Fault, Digdig Fault, and the northern segment of the Philippine Fault Zone, all of which are within the 150-km. radius of the province (Figure 5).
Water Quality
Coastal marine waters support a dynamic ecosystem and contain valuable natural resources that are important to the coastal community. The inseparable relationship between land use and water quality are major issues in the coastal zone.
The Bataan coastal area is receiving drainage from immediate watersheds through
Thick mangrove areas exist along the shorelines of Bataan.Fine sandy beaches can be found in Bagac.
tributaries and major river systems. Large amounts of waste drain into the coastal waters from domestic discharges.
With rapid increase in population and industrialization within the coastal area, water quality is expected to deteriorate. Contamination of the Bataan coastal and marine waters will continue to increase with the inevitable population and economic growth. The sources of contamination that eventually lead to marine pollution are domestic and industrial wastes, agro-chemical loading, siltation/sedimentation, toxic and hazardous wastes, and oil pollution.
2.2. BIO-PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Muddy tide flats along with alluvial sand bars characterize the coastline along Manila Bay. Mangrove areas can be observed from Orani to Orion, along with seaweed areas and seagrass patches from portions of Samal, Balanga, and Pilar down to Mariveles. The deeper portions are the coastal areas of Orion to Mariveles. Poor coral reef patches mixed with sandy rocky bottom can be found in the Mariveles area, where the coastline begin to take on a rocky character, looping from the mouth of Manila Bay to the western side of the province. The South China Sea coastline is interspersed with pristine beaches with rocky portions and fringes of coral reef in good condition from Bagac to Morong. These are havens for marine turtles and other marine animals.
14
Source: National Statistics Office Handbook and PPDO - Socio-economic Profile 2004
Table 2. Land Area, Population Density and Income Class
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
Table 1: Population Trend and Growth Rate
2.3. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
Demography
Bataan’s population annually increases at the rate of 2.74%. This rate was recorded as the highest in Region III and was higher than the national average of 2.2%. As of 2006, the projected population was computed at 657,119. The municipalities of Mariveles and Dinalupihan with population of 99,187 and 93,060 respectively,
have the highest recorded population. The least populated towns are Morong and Bagac, with population of 25,048 and 24,355, respectively. Table 1 presents the population trend.
The province has 87 coastal barangays distributed in 10 coastal municipalities and one coastal city. The population in coastal barangays is approximately 220,032 or 34.45% of the projected population of the province for CY 2005. Pilar and Dinalupihan have the highest population density in the province (Table 2).
Fishing is the most practiced activity along the coastal areas of Bataan.
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
In terms of the number of households, there was an increase from 98,499 in 1995 to 113,674 in 2000. In 2006, the number of household is estimated to be 133,847. The average household size is 4.90 persons per household.
In Bataan, 61.6% of the total population comprises the working age group (15 to 64 years old). Individuals aged 0 to 14 years old constitute 34.9%, and those aged 65 and above comprise 3.5% of the 2006 population. Dependency ratio in 2000 was 62. This means that for every 100 persons in the working age group (15 to 64 years), there were 62 dependents, that is 57 young dependents (0 to 14 years old) and 5 old dependents (65 years old and above).
Economic Activities
The coastal areas of Bataan are being utilized for fisheries and shellfish culture, shipping and navigation, industries, tourism and recreation, and built-up areas.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Bataan has a total of 84 coastal barangays in 10 coastal municipalities, and 1 coastal city. Fishing is the most practiced activity along the coastal and sea areas of Bataan. Around 220,032 or 34.45 % of the population is mainly dependent on this activity as their source of livelihood. There are two forms of fishing in the area; brackish water aquaculture and capture fisheries. Capture fisheries are for municipal and commercial fishing activities. Brackish Aquaculture
Brackish fishponds are present in the municipalities of Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Pilar, Orion, and City of Balanga, where different forms of fishes, mudcrabs, and prawns are being cultured. One can also find along these areas the stretches of mangroves and mudflats that serve as breeding ground of fish, buffer zone, and protection of the fishponds and coastal communities during tidal inundation. One of the major areas of concern is the illegal expansion of fishponds, which encroach on the mangroves, as well as mudflat areas.
About 4.30 hectares are utilized as brackish water fishponds, which harvest 7 metric tons per hectare and 143.70 hectares for freshwater fishpond with a production of 5.5 metric tons per hectare. Production ranges from 2.8 to 5.5 metric tons or 2.80 to 5.50 kg of milkfish, prawn, and tilapia per hectare.
Municipal Fisheries
With the application of the 15-km. limit under RA 8550 and RA 7160 (Local Government Code), the whole stretch of Manila Bay generally fall under municipal waters of the different LGUs along the bay except for a small area of the center of the bay. This serves as the rights of municipal fishermen to utilize the bay for their own activities, particularly in Bataan where traditional and marginalized fishermen mostly depend for their livelihood.
As of 2002, there were 6,715 registered motorized bancas and 3,405 non-motorized bancas for the municipal fishing activities for the whole province. There are about 18 fishing vessels with 18 operators for commercial fishing. (Source: PPDO – MTDP 2002)
Transboundary issue among LGUs along the bay is a common problem because the application of 15-km. limit results in overlapping jurisdictions. Equity sharing among the LGUs is one of the recommended solutions in this CLSUZP (see Map 2).
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Chapter 2: Existing Situation
Marine turtles at the Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong.
On the western side of the province, the application of the 15-km. municipal waters limit is a problem of Morong with the Province of Zambales and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). Municipal and traditional fishermen also experience conflicting uses due to the presence of beaches and other tourism and recreational activities in the area. The presence of nesting sites of marine turtles along the beaches of Bagac and Morong should likewise be considered in the tourism, industrial, and real estate development.
Commercial Fisheries
Several commercial fishing vessels that weigh greater than three (3) gross tonnages (GT) operate within Manila Bay. Others operate outside of Manila Bay as far as South China Sea. RA 8550 authorizes or permits small-scale (3.1 – 20 GT) commercial fishing and medium-scale (20.1 – 150 GT) commercial fishing vessels to operate within the 10.1 to 15-km. area from the shoreline of the municipal waters on the condition that there are permits from the city/municipal government, and acting pursuant to an appropriate ordinance. This has created problems, such as over-fishing and resulted in conflicts within the municipal waters, especially the competition between traditional and municipal fishing and commercial fishing. Such conflicts are prevalent in the municipalities of Limay, Mariveles, and Morong. Bagac is the only LGU in Bataan that passed an ordinance allowing small- and medium-scale commercial fishing vessels to operate within its municipal waters.
Large-scale commercial fishing is defined as utilizing active gears and vessels of more than 150 GT.
Shipping and Navigation
Manila Bay is one of the important avenues of development of the country which rely on shipping and navigational activities. This can be seen on the coastal side of Bataan where heavy industries are complemented with shipping and navigational system. This is mainly concentrated in the municipalities of Limay and Mariveles. In addition, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) was able to establish three (3) national ports: Port
of Lamao, Port of Mariveles, and Port of Orion. The ports of Lamao and Mariveles are utilized for cargo vessels and chemical and oil tankers. Custom duties are derived from them. Port of Orion was established for roll on – roll off (RORO) and passenger ferries. All ships and ferries are bound for Manila and other domestic and international destinations.
There is also the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), which makes use of the bay as their training ground for their students.
The Ports of Lamao and Mariveles are among the high-risk areas for oil spills in Manila Bay (Manila Bay Oil Spill Contingency Plan).
It is therefore necessary to set up permanent shipping and navigational lanes and aids to avoid accidents that may arise along the bay due to multiple resource uses.
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Chapter 2: Existing Situation
Residential area along the coast in Brgy. Lamao, Limay, Bataan
A fishing village in Brgy. Palihan, Orani, Bataan
Industrial Activities along Coastal Areas
Medium and heavy industries such as petrochemical estate, oil refineries and depot, power generating plants, grains terminal and economic zones are concentrated along the coastal areas of Limay and Mariveles. These industries are the frequent users of the bay. Other than their extensive facilities and structures that are positioned on the significant portion of the shoreline, some of these large industrial establishments have constructed and maintained their own ports, piers, and berthing facilities in support of their activities.
Tourism and Recreational Activities There are only a few areas along the
Manila Bay which are being utilized for tourism and recreation. These areas are found in Balanga City, Limay, and Mariveles. The primary areas intended for this purpose are located in the western side of Bataan along South China Sea. These are the coastal municipalities of Bagac and Morong, wherein numerous pristine beaches and potential areas for tourism development are present. There is also an established Pawikan Conservation Project in Nagbalayong, Morong and proposed to be replicated in other areas of Bagac.
Built-up Areas
Built-up areas consist of residential, institutional, commercial, and small-scale enterprises. Aside from being a peninsular
province, the open and free access to fishing and other sources of fresh food items has become a strong attraction to the people of Bataan and nearby provinces to locate in the coastal areas. Most of the municipalities in Bataan along Manila Bay are experiencing the pressure of increasing settlement in their respective coastal areas. The threat on other resources, such as mangroves and mudflats continues to crop up due to continuous reclamation and encroachment of people for their settlement and other purposes.
Existing Zones/Uses
The existing zones and uses as on Map 4 shows many overlapping and conflicting uses of coastal and municipal waters in the 10 coastal municipalities and 1 coastal city of Bataan. Concerned LGUs as mandated by RA 7160 find a hard time to manage their territorial jurisdiction over coastal and municipal waters due to absence of clear demarcation of water boundaries.
Multiple resource-use conflicts also continue to proliferate resulting in over-utilization and depletion of coastal and marine resources. Incompatible uses of existing zones hamper the development of full potential and sustainability of each zone.
The aggravating problems will be resolved with the full cooperation of LGUs and other stakeholders concerned in proper coastal management and implementation of this zoning plan.
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Chapter 2: Existing Situation
Map 4. Existing Zones and Uses of Bataan
19
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
Socio-economic Condition of Fisherfolks
A comparison of income and social standing of fishers’ households indicates that the poverty situation remains unchanged. After the first major fishery sector project (1990-1994), it is noted that 80% of the fishers’ households were still below the poverty threshold despite major interventions, ranging from full investment packages for fishing boats and equipment, to community-based coastal resources management.
The latest family income and expenditure survey (NSO, 2001) indicated that economic and social parameters for fishers’ households reinforced this observation. The data showed that in 2000 (Socio-economic characteristics of households in the Philippines, 2000 – NSO, 2001), households whose heads were fishers had significantly higher poverty incidence than any other household in general. Furthermore, the average annual income of fisher’s household and those who work in the fishing industry was about P70,000.00, less than half of the average annual income of households in general which is approximately P144,000.00. This translates to an average daily income of around P192.00 or roughly, the retail value of 2-kg. of fish. Low income can be attributed to declining fish catch, estimated to be about 2-kg. per day at present, down from 20-kg. per day, which was the average catch during the 1970s.
Because of low-income levels, a greater portion of the income of fishers’ households is spent on food expenditures and a much lesser share is used for other items, compared to the income of households in general. It is interesting to note that fisher’s household has a relatively higher rate of spending on vices, like alcohol and tobacco, than in any other household in general.
Based on the National Statistics Office’s (NSO’s) 2001 data, households of fishers have head of families with relatively low education levels, compared to other households in general. More than two-thirds of fishing households have head of families that are elementary undergraduates. In contrast, about half of households in general have heads who hve attained higher education level. Fishers’ households have lower access rates
to basic necessities like safe water, sanitary toilets, and electricity than other households and are more likely to live in makeshift houses or are informal settlers. Also, the size of households of fishers and of those in the fishing industry is greater than the national average.
2.4. EXISTING POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The policy review discusses the legal framework for the management and conservation of the coastal and marine ecosystem and resources of the Province of Bataan. It involves only key process of legislation at the national level including Philippine Constitution, Presidential Decrees and Republic Acts and Policy Directives emanating from national government agencies. Resolutions and ordinances and explicit policy directives articulated in the different land-use plan documents affecting the coastal environment originating from Provincial and Municipal/City Government are likewise discussed. The nature of the national-provincial-city/municipal policy framework for the coastal environment is complex, primarily because of the sheer number and overlaps of a multitude of legal and policy measures and the institutions tasked to implement them. Given this, a number of policy options and choices will need to be studied and considered carefully by the provincial government and city and municipalities of Bataan in order to be more effective in managing the coastal/marine environment and resources.
Table 4 shows the key international conventions and national and local policies and legislations. The Review of Policies and Institutional Arrangements is in Appendix A.
At the International and National Level
As far as international laws or policies are concerned, Bataan’s effort to zone on a provincial level should continue to follow, if not improve on the pronouncement already found in existing plans at the provincial and city/municipal levels. This is because the various documents from the local development plans to Bataan Sustainable
20
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
Table 3. Socio-economic characteristics of households in the Phils., 2000 (NSO, 2001)
* Proportion of families whose per capita income cannot meet the minimum food and non-food require. (Source: NSO 2001. Family Income and Expenditures Survey)
Household Characteristic% of households whose heads are
All Households (%)Fishers
In the fishing industry
Poverty Incidence*61.9 59.9
33.7
Distribution of households b educational attainment of the head
No grade completed 6.5 4.3 4.1
Elementary undergraduate 76.4 77.9 53.3
Elementary graduate 12.3 12.7 20.3
1st - 3rd year high school 3.4 3.6 10.6
High school graduate 0.3 0.3 1.2
College undergraduate 0.2 0.1 0.7
At least college graduate 0.9 1.2 9.8
Access to safe drinking water 61.8 65.8 78.5
Access to sanitary toilet facility 51.5 54.2 82.5
Access to electricity 51.2 55.5 75.4
Proportion living in makeshift houses 2.8 2.8 2
Proportion who are squatting 5.9 6.1 3.1
Mean family size (number) 5.6 5.6 5.1
Mean income70,244 72,959 144,039
Mean expenditure62,445 64,297 118,002
Exependiture pattern
Total household expenditure 100.0 100.0 100.0
Food59.3 58.5 43.6
Alcoholic beverages 1.2 1.3 0.7
Tobacco2.4 2.4 1.1
Fuel, light and water 5.9 6 6.3
Transportation & communication3.2 3.4 6.8
Household operations 18.4 18.4 23.2
Personal care & effects 3.5 3.5 3.6
Clothing, footwear & others 2.4 2.4 2.7
Education2.3 2.3 4.2
Recreation 0.2 0.3 0.5
Medical care 1.2 1.3 1.9
Non-durable furnishings 0.3 0.3 0.2
Durable furniture & equipment 1.4 1.5 2.5
Taxes0.4 0.4 2.1
House rent 7.9 7.8 14.2
House maintenance & minor repairs
0.9 0.9 0.9
Special family occasions 1.7 2 2.4
Gifts & contribution to others 0.9 0.8 0.9
Other expenditures 2.9 2.9 2.9
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Development Strategy are at least in written, principle. Consistent with national laws, these are attuned to international treaties, conventions, and agreements. An example of the linkage of environmental principles are the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention), and Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), Biodiversity Convention, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, which all contain stipulations on conservation of living resources, particularly migratory and endangered species, which in turn are consistent with the commitment to sustainable development in Rio Declaration and the United Nations Agenda 21. Going down the line, many resources and environmental laws of the Philippines in the last decade (e.g. NIPAS Act, Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act, Clean Air Act, etc.) explicitly stress sustainable development as a guiding principle. Hence, implementation of such laws would presumably be in accordance with international treaties, thereby translating abstract commitment into material local mandate. Moreover, recent Philippine environmental laws (e.g., Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Clean Water Act, etc.) are simultaneously compliant with United Nation Seventh Millennium Development Goal to “ensure environmental sustainability,” in particular through “integrating the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs.”
Seeking further affirmation beyond stipulation on environmental protection are to be found in the 1987 Constitution and the various laws related to agriculture (e.g. RA 7881), fishery and marine resources (e.g. RA 8550), wildlife and habitat protection (RA 9147, RA 7586), forestry code (PD 705), and land use (e.g. RA 7279), which can be a basis of elaborating higher policies for the purpose of operationalization. Table 4 shows the different policy concerns across sectors.
At the Provincial Level
Based on the review of provincial plans, it is apparent that the chosen growth strategy of Bataan is to develop itself as an agro-industrial province with strong emphasis on ecological
tourism. The latter, in turn, will permit the preservation of forest areas and prime agricultural lands. As medium-term policy statement, the existing laws on environmental protection shall be upheld and enforced, while actions to provide basic infrastructure that have environmental implication (e.g., sanitary landfill sewage treatment) shall be encouraged in the city and municipalities. Notably, the provincial plans are specific about certain agency duties identifying DENR-EMB, DILG, DA, BFAR, and DAR as lead agencies in environmental management and agricultural land conversion and development. One should also observe that although the chosen development is consistent with the regional development framework assigning Bataan West Coast to ecotourism and its East Coast to agro-industry, actual implementation may differ given key industrial location in Mariveles (Bataan Economic Zone), Morong (Bataan Technology Park), Limay (Petron Bataan Refinery) and Hermosa (Hermosa Agro-industrial Estate).
With respect to the development and conservation of the coastal/marine environment, the Provincial Government is very much aware of its role as steward of these natural resources and the need to protect these as the province’s life support system, not only biologically, but also economically and socially. The stakeholders of Bataan have developed and adopted the Bataan Coastal Strategy, Bataan Declaration of support and commitment, and the Bataan Sustainable Development Strategy. A large part of the provincial economy is anchored on sustainable resource use and development, not only of its land resources but also its marine resources. Therefore, sustainable development policies are in place at the provincial level.
At the City/Municipal Level
The development plans at Provincial and City/Municipal levels are vertically aligned. Policy statements from City/Municipal comprehensive land use plans are reviewed to be consistent with provincial vision and directions. The proposed strategies are appropriate to each local government unit, particularly on socio-economic development aspect.
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
22
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
Tabl
e 4:
Key
Pol
icie
s an
d Le
gisl
atio
n Ac
ross
Sec
tors
Sp
ecifi
c Ar
ea o
f C
once
rnSp
atia
l Loc
atio
n in
Bat
aan
Nat
iona
l and
Loc
al P
olic
y, L
aw, I
nter
natio
nal C
onve
ntio
n Li
kely
to b
e In
volv
ed
Fish
erie
s an
d Aq
uacu
lture
entir
e co
astli
ne, w
ith
emph
asis
on
east
and
sou
th
coas
t
Inte
rnat
iona
l: Fi
sher
ies
Cod
e of
Con
duct
(FAO
)N
atio
nal:
Agric
ultu
re a
nd F
ishe
ries
Mod
erni
zatio
n Ac
t, M
arin
e Po
llutio
n D
ecre
e, F
ishe
ries
Dec
ree
of 1
975,
Fis
herie
s C
ode,
Loc
al G
over
nmen
t Cod
e, S
anita
tion
Cod
e, E
O 5
33 (I
nteg
rate
d C
oast
al
Man
agem
ent)
Loca
l: Ba
taan
Coa
stal
Stra
tegy
; mun
icip
al o
rdin
ance
s
Reso
urce
and
En
viro
nmen
tal
Man
agem
ent
wat
ersh
eds
and
entir
e co
astli
neIn
tern
atio
nal:
Ram
sar
Con
vent
ion
on W
etla
nds,
Bio
dive
rsity
Con
vent
ion,
CIT
ES, G
PAN
atio
nal:
Nat
iona
l Mar
ine
Polic
y, C
oral
Res
ourc
es D
evel
opm
ent D
ecre
e, N
IPAS
Act
, Sus
tain
able
Fo
rest
Man
agem
ent D
ecre
e, F
ores
t Tim
ber
Cha
rges
, Fis
herie
s C
ode,
Cle
an W
ater
Act
, Loc
al
Gov
ernm
ent C
ode,
San
itatio
n C
ode,
Sol
id W
aste
Man
agem
ent A
ct, W
ildlif
e Re
sour
ces
and
Hab
itat
Con
serv
atio
n an
d Pr
otec
tion
Act;
Indi
geno
us P
eopl
es R
ight
s Ac
t, EO
533
(Int
egra
ted
Coa
stal
M
anag
emen
t), E
O 5
78 (b
iodi
vers
ity p
olic
y), E
O 6
10 (r
iver
bas
in m
anag
emen
t)Lo
cal:
Bata
an S
usta
inab
le D
evel
opm
ent S
trate
gy, P
rovi
ncia
l Dev
elop
men
t; va
rious
CD
Ps; m
unic
ipal
or
dina
nces
.
Indu
stria
l Exp
ansi
onso
uth
and
sout
heas
t coa
stIn
tern
atio
nal:
Base
l Con
vent
ion
on H
azar
dous
Was
tes,
GPA
N
atio
nal:
Indi
geno
us P
eopl
es R
ight
s Ac
t, W
ater
Cod
e, P
ollu
tion
Con
trol L
aw, C
lean
Wat
er A
ct, C
lean
Ai
r Ac
t, Lo
cal G
over
nmen
t Cod
e, E
IA S
yste
m, S
anita
tion
Cod
e, T
oxic
and
Nuc
lear
Was
tes
Law,
Sol
id
Was
te M
anag
emen
t Act
, NIP
AS A
ct, P
ublic
Est
ates
Aut
horit
y La
w, M
ediu
m-T
erm
Phi
l. D
evel
opm
ent
Plan
, Inv
estm
ent P
riorit
y Pl
an, R
egio
nal F
ram
ewor
ks a
nd D
evel
opm
ent P
lans
Lo
cal:
Bata
an S
usta
inab
le D
evel
opm
ent S
trate
gy, P
PFP,
Prov
inci
al D
evel
opm
ent P
lan;
var
ious
CLU
Ps
and
CD
Ps
Ship
ping
, Nav
igat
ion
and
Sea-
base
d So
urce
s of
Pol
lutio
n
sout
h an
d so
uthe
ast c
oast
Inte
rnat
iona
l: M
ARPO
L C
onve
ntio
n on
Was
te fr
om S
hips
, Lon
don
Con
vent
ion,
Bas
el C
onve
ntio
n on
H
azar
dous
Was
tes,
Inte
rnat
iona
l Con
vent
ion
on O
il Po
llutio
n Pr
even
tion
Resp
onse
and
Coo
pera
tion
Nat
iona
l: N
atio
nal M
arin
e Po
licy,
Mar
ine
Pollu
tion
Dec
ree
(PD
600
& 9
79)
Loca
l: Ba
taan
Sus
tain
able
Dev
elop
men
t Stra
tegy
, Man
ila B
ay O
il Sp
ill C
ontin
genc
y Pl
an
Tour
ism
mou
ntai
nous
inte
rior,
incl
udin
g riv
ers,
wat
erfa
lls;
coas
tal:
beac
hes,
man
grov
es,
cora
l ree
fs;
hist
oric
al a
nd c
ultu
ral s
ites
Inte
rnat
iona
l: C
onve
ntio
n on
Tra
de in
End
ange
red
Spec
ies
(CIT
ES),
Ram
sar
Con
vent
ion
on W
etla
nds
Nat
iona
l: In
dige
nous
Peo
ples
Rig
hts
Act,
Cor
al R
esou
rces
Dev
elop
men
t Dec
ree,
NIP
AS A
ct, M
inin
g Ac
t, So
lid W
aste
Man
agem
ent A
ct, W
ildlif
e Re
sour
ces
and
Hab
itat C
onse
rvat
ion
and
Prot
ectio
n Ac
t, C
lean
Wat
er A
ct, E
IA S
yste
m, S
anita
tion
Cod
e, C
lean
Air
Act,
Regi
onal
Fra
mew
orks
and
Pla
ns
Loca
l: Ba
taan
Dec
lara
tion
of E
nviro
nmen
tal P
rote
ctio
n, B
ataa
n Su
stai
nabl
e D
evel
opm
ent S
trate
gy,
vario
us C
LUPs
and
CD
Ps,
Prop
erty
Rig
hts
and
Con
vers
ion
entir
e co
astli
ne, b
ut m
ore
corr
ectiv
e on
eas
t coa
st,
prev
entiv
e on
wes
t coa
st
Nat
iona
l: C
ompr
ehen
sive
Agr
aria
n Re
form
Law
, inc
ludi
ng a
men
dmen
ts, U
rban
Dev
elop
men
t and
H
ousi
ng A
ct, N
IPAS
Act
, Wild
life
Reso
urce
s an
d H
abita
t Con
serv
atio
n an
d Pr
otec
tion
Act,
Wat
er
Cod
e, P
ollu
tion
Con
trol L
aw, C
lean
Wat
er A
ct, L
ocal
Gov
ernm
ent C
ode,
EIA
Sys
tem
, San
itatio
n C
ode,
Sol
id W
aste
Man
agem
ent A
ct
Loca
l: Ba
taan
Sus
tain
able
Dev
elop
men
t Stra
tegy
, var
ious
CLU
Ps a
nd C
DPs
23
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
With regard to coastal resource use, the overall impression derived is that policy statements and eventual implementations may be more focused in key areas in order to be effective in the long run. One strong policy area of the city/municipalities is on fishery resources, particularly on the illegal and destructive fishing methods. Several municipalities have explicit municipal ordinances on fishery, such as Balanga, Samal, Abucay, Orion, Limay, Mariveles, and Bagac. These policy areas can be further strengthened in all coastal municipalities and proclaim an integrated policy on fisheries. This would facilitate the sharing of resources, services, and information among contigous municipalities particularly in apprehending violators. An integrated and harmonized fishery policy for the whole province would likewise minimize the growing conflicts in the use of various marine resources.
2.5. MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND MULTIPLE-USE CONFLICTS
The sustainable development of Bataan’s coastal areas lies in the resolution of five (5) major problems that are very common in all communities residing along the Manila Bay area. These problems were identified during the consultation workshops conducted with the different stakeholders and users of the coastal areas of the concerned municipalities of Bataan. Problems identified were: pollution from land- and sea-based activities; siltation and sedimentation; illegal and destructive fishing
methods; proliferation of informal settlers; and habitat degradation (Map 5).
The waste generated from land- and sea-based activities is a problem for all. Absence of proper waste management in most communities along Manila Bay aggravates the problem with wastes eventually ending up in the water bodies of Bataan.
Siltation and sedimentation contribute to the narrowing and shallowing of waterways and fishing grounds. This problem is mainly caused by soil erosion from the watershed and upland areas. The province has been taking steps to resolve this problem. Process of dredging and desilting of shallow rivers and waterways is currently underway. Continuous reforestations in upland and watershed areas are included in the annual programming and implementation plan of Bataan.
Illegal and destructive fishing methods are being fully addressed. The full support of fisherfolks and concerned agencies backing up the campaign is an important factor. The creation and utilization of the Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force is concrete evidence of the intent to totally eradicate this problem. The task force has been curbing out the proliferation of illegal fishing activities in the coastal and sea areas of the province resulting in an increase in fish catch of sustenance fishermen. At present, there are 2 patrol boats (28-footer fast crafts) and around 20 motorized bancas monitoring and patrolling the coastal waters of Bataan.
The provision in RA 8550, which provide among other things, that apprehended vessels, equipment, nets, and other paraphernalia engaged in illegal fishing, such as blasting and cyanide, can be impounded for the duration of the case filed against it. This will curb illegal fishing such as trawl, buli-buli, sudsod, etc. A bill should be filed to make it applicable to all forms of illegal fishing and this can be easily replicated to other areas in the country.
Prol i ferat ion of in formal set t lers contributes to the declining mangrove areas due to encroachment and illegal activities like cutting of
The Anti-illegal Fishing Task Force, together with Bantay Dagat (sea wardens), patrol and monitor the coastal waters and apprehend violators.
24
Chapter 2: Existing Situation
Figure 6. Multiple-Use Conflicts
trees. This issue leads to the narrowing of waterways that is aggravating the pollution problem due to improper waste management.
LGUs are now in the process of drafting resettlement plans to lessen the impact of this problem in their respective municipalities.
Habitat degradation or loss of precious habitats will lead to low or even loss of fish catch and other resources, and loss of functional integrity of ecosystems.
Mitigating measures are now being done to reduce the effects of these problems in the coastal areas of the province.
Apart from the issues and problems that need to be addressed are the multiple-use conflicts (Figure 6). These conflicts affect the proper maximum utilization of the coastal area and the social conditions.
Some of the conflicts are shipping vs. fishing and aquaculture; reclamation vs. mangrove and mudflat protection; land development vs agriculture and fishponds; tourism vs. informal settling and others.
With all these existing issues, problems, and multiple-use conflicts, the coastal environment of Bataan is currently facing environmental and ecological threats that will endanger the sustainable livelihood and living conditions of the communities in the coastal area.
Lack of sewage treatment and solid waste management systems has caused the continous deterioration of the water quality of rivers and coastal waters.
