Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Environment and health leaders from the Asia-Pacific region were in the country on Saturday to discuss emerging environmental issues affecting health.
Among these issues is the problem of air pollution, which the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a study is the largest single environmental health risk, causing respiratory diseases like asthma.
“Up to seven million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution, both indoor and outdoor,” said United Nations Environment Programme Deputy Executive Director Ibrahim Thiaw at the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Health and Environment.
The WHO study also revealed that more than nine out of 10 cities in the world are polluted. That is why Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has proposed to decongest Manila from pollutants by maximizing the potential of resources in the province.
She identified 26 areas, such as Romblon, Laguna and Marinduque that she wants developed into eco-tourism sites, with an initial budget of ₱205 million.
“We’re getting our marine scientists, our foresters, biodiversity experts at sa tingin nila ay kung anong pinakamabuting dapat gawin dito sa isla para may pakinabang ang lahat” [We’re getting our marine scientists, our foresters and our biodiversity experts and they are looking at the best courses of actions for these islands, which would benefit everyone], Lopez said.
Lopez also said vehicles, power plants and factories are among the top causes of pollution in highly-urbanized areas.
Read: Traffic is main source of deadly air pollution in Southeast Asia – WHO
The environmental forum also discussed access to safely managed water, adequate sanitation both at home and in healthcare facilities and climate-change adaptation, preparedness and resilience.
“We must focus urgently on these issues if we are to achieve better health and well-being for the people,” said Dr. Shin Young-soo, Regional Director of WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific.
By the end of discussions, ministers will agree on the Manila Declaration on Health and Environment, which should integrate efforts among countries for better environments and better health across the region.
