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Pangasinan as the Heartland of the Philippines

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Fishing areas in Pangasinan, namely Bolinao, Bani, and Santiago Island are experiencing cases of overfishing that result in diverse effects; fish kill, a decline in fish catch, and change in abundance and biodiversity.

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Overfishing is dubbed "the most serious threat to our oceans." It has adverse effects not only on water ecosystems but also food and economic security.

1. Overfishing causes an imbalance in the food chain in the ocean. As the population of the fish decrease, other organisms will resort to looking for alternative food which means other organisms like corals will also be affected. Hence, there will be a great shift in the water ecosystems.

2. If overfishing continues in the waters of Pangasinan, both the abundance (numbers of fish in an area) and biodiversity (number of species) will decline. It is important to note that Pangasinan is one of the major producers of fish, specifically the Bangus. Therefore, their livelihood, the nation's food supply, and the national economy will also be affected.

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Photo from Region 1 Philippine Statistics Authority

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1. Bolinao - fish kill

In 2002, thousands of kilos of Chanos chanos (milkfish) died inside their fish pens and cages due to Eutrophication. Because fish pens and cages disrupt the flow of water, they condense wastes like uneaten feeds and feces of the fish leading up to the build-up of ammonia, nitrates, and algae. This degradation of water quality has slowly poisoned the fish and depleted their oxygen levels.

2. Bani - decline in fish catch

Overfishing in Bani has been derived from the increasing number of fishers in the area. According to Green et al., fishing efforts have amounted to about a whopping 400%, which is more than the fish stocks can accommodate. Despite these efforts, it had only made the number of their catch decline. Along with this, the rise of efficient fishing gears had also been pointed out as one of the culprits.

3. Santiago Island - change in abundance and biodiversity

Malthusian Overfishing is named one of the causes of this shift in Santiago Island. Malthusian overfishing happens when fishermen fish non-stop in their area because they don't have alternative livelihoods (farming, etc.)

Over the course of a 6-year observation, the abundance of 21 species (e.g. Cheilinus trilobatus and Acanthuridae) decreased, while 20 increased.

These three instances of overfishing go against the goals of SDG 14, Life Below Water.

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Mga fishpen at fishcage sa mga baybaying apektado ng fish kill, dalawang taon munang bawal

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As mentioned by Peralta-Milan et al., "increasing efficiency of the fishing gears they use, contribute to this unsustainable

fishing effort."

Fish pens and cages

more fish pens and cages -> disrupt the flow of water -> fish kill

This way of aquaculture is the most efficient for mass production, especially for Pangasinan. However, it must be taken into consideration how these structures alter the water conditions by constraining the flow of oxygen and the sediments inside the pen or cage. The more of these are used for aquaculture, the more pressure it applies both to the water bodies and the organisms in it.

Other fishing gear or methods

From most to least efficient, fishermen in Pangasinan use bag nets, beach seine, and fish corrals.

With Negative or Positive Impact

Each tool has different uses and efficiency. While it is true that all of these ease the burden on the fishermen and aid in the economy, it is of utmost importance to be mindful of the environmental consequences they bring. These advancements in technology are not completely good or bad, rather, the abuse or misuse of these tools will eventually bring misfortunes for us humans if not regulated to cater nature's limits.

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A certain sanitary landfill facility in Urdaneta, Pangasinan was ordered for closure multiple times within 2021 and 2022 amidst incompliance to take actions after its environmental violations.

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Urdaneta City landfill ordered shut down as DENR intensifies crackdown on dumpsites

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The Province of Pangasinan is a part of Region I or more known as the Ilocos Region, located in the northwest of Luzon Island.

It is titled to be the third largest province in the entirety of the Philippine archipelago with the rich and loaded produce of natural resources from their vast lands and deep seas. Pangasinan was named from the inspiration of their great coastal salt beds, with the term translating to “where salt is made”.

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Addressing environmental issues are essential for any individual or entity for everyone’s sake including their own. If sanitary landfills wouldn’t be liable for these problems and will keep on violating such regulations, there are many aspects aside from the facilities that can feel its effects. To name some of them would be the environment, public health, and economic circulation.

Managing dumpsites is sure to be critical given that it can be the root of many problems when handled poorly. If such a situation happens, possibilities of aggregating land, sea, and air pollution will be high. From this, chances of contamination on food, especially fresh produce, might also occur leading to poor health of the general public. This will likely lead to a drop in the province’s economy as they primarily are producers of natural resources.

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1. Landfill Location

The Urdaneta City Engineered Sanitary Landfill is 13 minutes away by car from Urdaneta’s largest public market. It is also neighboring the city’s communal residential areas.

2. Systems and Operations

Inefficient sanitary waste operations and drainage systems caused illegal discharge of leachate on areas of the land and bodies of water adjacent to the said landfill facility.

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Urdaneta Sanitary Landfill (USFL) in Barangay Catablan to Bagsakan Market

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Photo from The Official Website of the Province of Pangasinan (2014)

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With Positive Impact

accurately engineered flow system -> proper waste disposal operations

Sanitary landfills are obliged to align their operations with the policies regulated by the government. Proving a good waste disposal flow system would sufficiently avoid possible environmental and health problems.

With Negative Impact

inappropriate placement of outflow pipe -> improper discharge of waste to the environment

When the direction of the outflow pipe is directed to a natural body of land or water without the right engineering measures, there will be continuous contamination that can disrupt the environment.

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The SDGs is a blueprint and call to action that aims to resolve issues encompassing the Environment, Society, and Economy.

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SDG 6 for Pangasinan's Unsanitary Landfills

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"Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all"

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§ Map § Local government units § Economy § Demographics § National Roads § Notes Type province Island group Luzon Region Ilocos Region (Region I) Cities 4 Municipalities 44 Barangays 1,364 Coastal/Landlocked coastal Marine waterbodies South China Sea Area (2013) 5,450.59 (2,104.48 km2 sq mi) Population (2020) 3,163,190 Density (2020) 580 (1,503 / km2 / sq mi) Pangasinan is a province in the Philippines situated in the Ilocos Region occupying the northwestern section of Luzon.

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"Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development"

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Aragones, N., & De La Paz, R. (1989). Ecological Notes on the Juvenile Siganid (Padas) Harvest in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines. Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://micronesica.org/sites/default/files/222_article_03ed.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwipnuS_-LT7AhUOslYBHYd-A9MQFnoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw1ywvIu-ZVhOJZTQmnehiFV

Azanza, R., Jacinto, G., San Diego-McGlone, M., & Villanoy, C. (2008). Eutrophic waters, algal bloom and fish kill in fish farming areas in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines. Marine Pollution Bulletin. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5397134_Eutrophic_waters_algal_bloom_and_fish_kill_in_fish_farming_areas_in_Bolinao_Pangasinan_Philippines

Beveridge, M. (1984). Cage and pen fish farming. Carrying capacity models and environmental impact.  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/3/AD021E/AD021E03.htm

Castrence, F., Lucero, M., & MIlan, S., (2012). Fisheries Registration and Licensing: A Case Study in Bani, Pangasinan, Philippines. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271893664_Fisheries_Registration_and_Licensing_A_Case_Study_in_Bani_Pangasinan_Philippines

De Guzman, S. (2021). Ilocos Region’s Aquaculture Fisheries Production Grows In 1st Quarter 2021 (Results From The Fisheries Production Survey, 1st Quarter 2021). Philippines Statistics Authority. http://rsso01.psa.gov.ph/content/ilocos-region%E2%80%99s-aquaculture-fisheries-production-grows-1st-quarter-2021-results-fisheries

De Guzman, S. (2022). Poverty Incidence Among Population in the Ilocos Region Registered at 20.2 Percent in 1st Semester 2021. Philippines Statistics Authority. http://rsso01.psa.gov.ph/content/poverty-incidence-among-population-ilocos-region-registered-202-percent-1st-semester-2021

DENR-EMB Region I reimposes closure of Urdaneta City Landfill. (2022). Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau Region I. https://r1.emb.gov.ph/denr-emb-region-i-reimposes-closure-of-urdaneta-city-sanitary-landfill/

DENR Shuts Down Pangasinan Sanitary Landfill for Environmental Violations. (2021). Department of Environment and Natural Resources. https://www.denr.gov.ph/index.php/news-events/press-releases/2244-denr-shuts-down-pangasinan-sanitary-landfill-for-environmental-violations

Landfill Engineering. (n.d.) Geo Engineer Org. https://www.geoengineer.org/education/geoenvironmental-engineering/landfill-engineering

McManus, J.,Nañola Jr., C., Reyes Jr., R., &  Kesner, K., (2007). Changes in the fish diversity and abundance on a heavily fished fringing reef on Santiago Island, Pangasinan, Philippines. SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department. https://repository.seafdec.org.ph/handle/10862/3259

Pangasinan. (2022). PhilAtlas. https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r01/pangasinan.html

Profile of Region I. (n.d.). Department of Trade and Industry. https://www.dti.gov.ph/regions/region1/profile/

Sotelo, Y. (2021). In Pangasinan, garbage woes loom after dump closure. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1405023/in-pangasinan-garbage-woes-loom-after-dump-closure

The Province: About Pangasinan. (n.d.). The Province of Pangasinan. https://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/about-pangasinan/

World Wildlife Fund. (n.d.). What is overfishing? facts, effects and overfishing solutions. WWF. Retrieved November 20, 2022, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/overfishing#:~:text=It%20can%20change%20the%20size,like%20sea%20turtles%20and%20corals.

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The province occupies almost half of the whole area of Region I with a land area of 545, 101 hectares.

It lies between the Cordillera Mountains by the east and the Zambales Ranges by the west. To its north is the Lingayen Gulf while its south is Tarlac’s wide rice plains.

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According to the 2020 census, Pangasinan has an estimated 3,163,190 population which makes up 58% of the Ilocos Region’s population. 47% are Pangasinan natives and 44% are Ilocano settlers.

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Pangasinan accounts for 61% of the Ilocos Region's economy.

44% of its extensive agricultural plains are devoted to crop production and is considered one of the Philippine's rice granaries.

Major Products:
Milk Fish (Bangus)
Salt
Rice
Coconut, Mango, and Eggplant

Despite having rich resources, Pangasinan has the highest poverty incidence in Region 1.

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Mean annual rainfall = ~97.49 mm
Temperature range = 22.22°C - 32.22°C
Driest month = August
Wettest month = December

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Photo from The Official Website of the Province of Pangasinan

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Grassland
Heathland
Montane Forest
Molave Forest
Mangrove Forest
Beach Forest

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Lingayen Gulf

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Lakes

Rivers

Seas