Tropical cyclone is the most commonly occurring natural hazard in the Philippines causing billions of pesos worth in socio-economic losses and other forms of damages. Analysis of 59-year data on Philippine typhoons revealed that their intensity had been increasing, especially since the 1990s. It...

The treatment of solid waste is a major priority in countries across Southeast Asia. Economic development and population growth, particularly in the region's mega-cities, have made the challenge more acute. This is particularly true in the Philippines, where the legacy of dangerous open dump...

Pollution from power stations is a growing problem in many developing nations. The Philippines is no exception and many people in the country are voicing concerns about the effects on people's health. However, a recent study has shown that, when economic costs and benefits are weighed up, there...

This study assesses a number of potential management options that could help protect biodiversity in the Visayan Sea and help its fishing communities to earn a better living. The Visayan Sea is one of the most important and threatened marine areas in the Philippines. It is a source of income and...

The Visayan Sea is one of the most important and threatened marine areas in the Philippines. It is a source of income and food for thousands of people and an ecological recource of world importance. However, over exploitation means that fishing in the area is no longer sustainable and that...

This study from the Philippines investigates erosion in one of the country's more developed coastal regions. It finds that this coastline is vulnerable to the impact of erosion and that, if nothing is done, the problem will cause hundreds of millions of Php worth of damage. It also finds that a...

Sea erosion is currently affecting many coastal areas in the Philippines. Natural factors such as wind and waves are to blame, as are human activities such as coral reef destruction. The scale and impact of this problem are both expected to become more widespread due to climate change and sea...

The 'polluter pays' principle is one of the bedrocks of environmental policy. However, implementing this approach in a way that does not unduly handicap businesses is a challenge for I policy makers across Southeast Asia. A new study from the Philippines has looked at the commercial implications...

Dasgupta and Maler (1991) ruefully observed: "The fact that for such a long while environmental and development economics have had little to say to each other is a reflection of these academic disciplines; it does not at all reflect the world as we should know it." Fortunately for us,...

The rapid growth, urbanization and migration in Metro Manila has increased water demand which has outpaced the capacity of the water agency, The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), to expand supply. Unserved sectors have resorted to well construction while others have resorted to...