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Environment |
In the midst of the seeming national crises caused by poverty, environmental destruction, powerlessness of people and social conflict, ecological concern is moving to the center in the perspective for development. Preserving the natural environment is recognized to go hand in hand with development. With rapid population growth more and more people will have to rely on the environment for subsistence, hence, the need to arrest environmental debasement to ensure a richer and cleaner environment that will provide the future generation enough resources to satisfy their needs and enhance their quality of life. Section 3 (i) of RA 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, provides that Local Government Units shall share with the national government the responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction subject to the provisions of the code and all national policies governing environment The city takes cognizance of its responsibility in environmental management as a shared undertaking not only with the national government but also with the civil society. Overall, the LGU plays a bigger role as the lead actor. Since its environment is the major pull factor for its thriving tourism and other related industry, the ecological balance in the city must be improved and sustained. Rapid urbanization concomitantly depleted the city's natural resources. This served as the impetus for environmental re-awakening, thus the need to formulate a comprehensive environment sector plan as an imperative next step. The City's main attraction is still its natural bounties of cool climate, panoramic vistas, its pine forests and generally clean environments. Today, it still boasts of 5 forest reserves with a total area of 434.77 hectares. Three of these areas are watersheds that serve as sources of the City's water supply. Of the city's total land area, only 467.5 hectares (8.1 percent) still have old growths of pine while 1,137.5 hectares (19.8 percent) have reproduction pine stands and 122.5 hectares (2.1 percent) are brush lands. The remaining area of 4,021.1905 hectares making up 70.0 percent of the total comprises the developed portion. There are also five major creeks/waterways that serve as natural drains leading to the lowlands. These continue to serve as sources for irrigation of agricultural lands along its banks. There are also nine major springs that continue to supply water in various areas of the city, mostly those that have not been reached by or cannot be served by the water system. Continuing efforts to conserve the environment through public and private sector partnerships are being embarked. The city has initiated and persistently implemented its solid and liquid waste management program. The Baguio Sewage Treatment Plant, the only one of its kind in the country, now operates at percent of its rated capacity. The city is currently implementing a citywide installation of secondary bilateral inlet pipes to enable majority of the city to gain access to the services of the treatment plant. Solid waste management now covers 95 percent of the total 129 barangays. Most of the city's total household or 81 percent are served regularly. |
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