World Bank, DENR form eco-watch

The World Bank and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are mulling a Philippine Beach Eco-Watch to protect the environment, increase revenues, and spur further economic activities.

World Bank acting country director Chris Hoban stressed in a forum the importance of water quality, particularly for the Philippines.

"The quality of beaches and coastal waters has a direct and substantial impact on the quality of life. In addition, many Filipinos are appreciating the economic benefits of tourism, which brings jobs and opportunities to many parts of the country," Hoban said.

In 2002, tourists in the Philippines reached 8.5 million, generated P411 million in tourist receipts and employed 4.9 million. An estimated 6.2 million or 22 percent of the total labor force were employed in tourism-related businesses in 1998.

In the World Bank report known as the Philippines Environment Monitor on Water Quality, it stated that nearly 2.2 million metric tons of organic pollution is produced annually by domestic (48 percent), agricultural (37 percent), and industrial (15 percent) sectors.

The annual economic losses caused by water pollution are estimated at P67 billion ($1.3 billion), including P3 billion for health, P17 billion for fisheries production, and P47 billion for tourism.

In water-critical regions such as the National Capital Region (Metro Manila), Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Central Visayas, water pollution is dominated by domestic and industrial sources.