Environmental Effects of Development Programs In Ilocos Sur

Abstract

This study was conducted from January to December 1998 in the province of Ilocos Sur to identify the existing development programs in the province and to detennine their environmental effects. On-going development programs constituted 69% ofthe total number of programs under the local government units (LGU). Data gathered in this study reveal that 79.3% of the development programs were funded by the government through the Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) and the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) while 20.6% were funded by the private sector. Environment and ecology-oriented programs such as solid waste management, clean and green, agroforestry and water supply development, and organic farming were the priorities of the LGU's and these constituted 61.7% of all the development programs in the province. Environmental pollution and degradation were the evidences of the bad effects brought about by the programs. Few municipalities implementing the programs employed recycling. Manual recycling technique was used by the programs. Problems like water contamination existed due to lack of trucks used for garbage collection. No illnesses were inflicted among residents as a result of program implementation and the proximity of dumpsites. However, there were reported water contamination in some areas, but no fatalities were observedandrecorded.