Contemporary Issues & Philippine Natural Resources

Contemporary Issues: Definition

• Derived from Latin "contemporarius": "con" (with) + "temporarius" (of time)
• Defined as events, situations, or conditions with significant relevance to the present (Kendall 2013)
• Public in nature – matters of common concern

Goals of Studying Contemporary Issues

• Enrich knowledge of current events through critical and analytical approaches
• Broaden understanding of diverse perspectives in a globalized Philippines

Characterizing Contemporary Issues (Charon & Vigilant 2009)

• Key Questions
  • What is the issue about?
  • What makes the issue contemporary?
  • What are its causes and effects?
  • What solutions are possible?
• Indicators of Contemporary Nature
  • Socially oriented
  • Societal contributions identified
  • Potential to cause social disorder or disrupt relationships
• Origins & Dynamics
  • Human choices and actions create issues
  • Human nature shapes issue emergence
  • Effects vary with proposed solutions due to society’s complexity

Benefits of Studying Contemporary Issues

• Become part of the global community
• Make informed decisions
• Stimulate constructive discussions
• Build and strengthen personal relationships
• Foster appreciation of cultural relativism

Philippine Natural Resources

Overview

• Tropical archipelago of 7\,641 islands, area 300\,000 km{}^2
• Abundant in minerals, forests, water, and fertile land

Fishery Resources

• Ranked 7th among world fish-producers (≈4.87 million metric tons)
• 3rd largest producer of aquatic plants
• Employment: 1 million Filipinos (≈3\% of labor force)
  • 68\% municipal
  • 26\% aquaculture
  • 6\% commercial

Environmental Concerns (Republic Act 10654 – Philippine Fisheries Code 1998)

• Targets illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing
• Population growth → higher marine demand
• Water pollution (solid & chemical waste) → fish kills

Land and Soil Resources

• Total land: 30 million ha
  • 50\% forest lands
  • 47\% alienable & disposable
  • 3\% unclassified forestlands

Key Problems

• Soil erosion ↓ land productivity & ↑ water pollution
• Land conversion: agricultural → non-agricultural use

Mineral Resources (DENR)

• 5th largest global mineral reserve
• Rankings: 3rd in gold, 4th in copper, 5th in nickel
• ≈9 million ha contain significant deposits

Impacts of Mining

• Biodiversity & ecosystem degradation
• Effects on livelihood and employment
• Health risks to communities
• Economic contributions (revenues vs. costs)