CHAPTER 1

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

DEFINITIONAND CONCEPIVALFRA1WEWORK* CONCEPT OF St-S-:­

Sustai1Ulble Development can be defined as: Sustainable
utilization ofresources. .
a dynamic process in which the development and and direction ofinvest~<· ­
utilization of reS01J,rces, orientation of technological potentials to meet hllL....:
development, institutional change and direction of
investments are in harmony and enhance both current and
future potentials to meet human needs and aspirations.

This definition was modified from the 1987 Bruntland Report by

the addition of the word "dynamic" and the use of the word "utilization"
il1steadof exploitation. This definition includes the development of both hwnan
resources as well as natural resources development. Its main focus is the primary
foal of development which is the satisfaction of the needs and aspirations of
! lwnankind,
INSTITUTIOi"S ~
Figure 1.1 shows the interrelationship between the four components
ofsustainable development as defi:ne~ namely: reso'Urces, techtwlogies; institutions)
and investments. These components exist in a very dynamic relationship v.ith
one another. This means that an alteration in one component initiates changes
in the other three components. Furthermore, these four components are in
harmony with one another and enhance both the present and future satisfaction
of hwnan needs and aspirations.

Sustainable development can also be represented by the framework

shown in Figure 1.2. Because the concept of sustainable development is a
dynamic and integrated one, we are interested in the mechanisms that will
allow hllll1an society to cope with changes-for example, in population or
technology.

*Tlus conceprual framework for sustainable development was fonnulated by the

participants and members of the different sub-themes of Theme I (Population, Resources,
Environment and Sustainable Development) of the L'P State of the Nation Assessment Project
during the seminar-workshop held on August 10, 1990 at the University of the Philippines at Los
Banos, College, Laguna.

I'll:
 The State ofthe Philippine Environment 3

FIGlJRE 1.1

CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (WCED, 1987)

11::::..::
Sustainable development is a dynamic process in which the development and

.;.
D! _ ~'::,ment and
utilization of resources, orientation of technological development, institutional change
and direction of investments are all in harmony and enhance both current and future
.... "
~": fm 0 logical
:.rcction of
potentials to meet human needs and aspirations.

-= ", - "."_ ~;Jrrent and

TECHNOLOGIES

1
" : : -~,tland Report by
, _ -,1:ord "utilization"
- -_~::tofbothhuman

pu~
is the primary
--:d aspirations of

INSTITUTIONS 0( ,. INVESTMENTS
:our components
-~_ institutions,
: :elationship with
'" - ::1i ti ates changes
. ;:,ponents are in
. ""::1J.re satisfaction

- ::~le framework
elopment is a
-":srns that will
~opulation or

:-':-r;-:;llated by the
_:. ::Jr~~ Resources,
_' ..'-'-~5sment Project
__"Jippines ar Los
 education iok
/~--.--"'\ /--~"'\

~esources
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\ - - - - ( IndicatorS)
\
'-... -._ ...-.,/ ~-...•/

Vl
directed value ~
People Sustainable ~
Development
1--------­ system
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provision
g-.
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of shelter
~
'\. improved health
'\... services
)//~ •..- '-"""

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relevant and

a
(:>
ill Social Structure
laws access to Organization/Institution
II
resources

FIGURF.l.2
CONCEPTIJAL .FRAldEWORK FOR SUIiTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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 The State ofthe Philippim Environment 5

OPERATIONAUZATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVEWPMENT

Two relevant issues emerge with the operationalization ofsustainable

development. The first concerns the time frame involved between present
and future satisfaction of needs and aspirations. 'What is the optimal time

,
I
I
-
-
-
pathway of production and consumption which will ensure both present and
future sustainability of a nonrenewable resource? How long should a resource
be allowed to last for its utilization to be considered sustainable? Although
time frame may vary with the situation, it is recognized that the time frame
for sustainable development should be long-term, at least one generation or
60 years.
-
,i, -= ­
, '. The second relevant question concerns the hierarchical structure for
achieving sustainable development. What is the relevant level for attaining
sustainable development? Project Ievel1 Provincial? Regional? National? This
is a difficult question because what may be viewed as sustainable at the project
level, such as kaingin farming, may be viewed as unsustainable at watershed
level under conditions of low population density.

In the Philippine context, sustainable development cannot be achieved

without addressing the needs of the 50 percent ofour population living below
the poverty line. Many among the poor can meet their present needs only
through the use of harmful technologies such as dynamite or cyanide fishing,
charcoal making, which are destructive but necessary in the context of their
needs satisfaction.

SUSTAINABLE DEVEWPMENTAND THE ENVIRONMENT

There are therefore three major elements or needs for achieving

sustainable development:

1. A definition of the minimum quality of life or standard of living

for the people.

2. An assessment of the limits of the carrying capacity of the ecosys­

tem and resource base and a set of indicators which will tell us
whether the limits have already been exceeded

3. The introduction of technologies which can enhance the

transformation of goods and services into more useful but
environmentally benign forms.

-----------------------.~.-_ _ _ _o_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. . . .
6 State Nation Research J(£J'or:ts

7. Strc~­
While the country has always shown its willingness and readiness to
ma.:'~:§::
adopt imported technologies, there is no provision for assessing these
technologies. Government tends to promote or sponsor technologies like
golden kuhol culture and monoculture without first determining their potential
risk to the environment and the people.
9. p,c:"
There are three priorities for operationalizing sustainable
development, taking into account its dynamic and integrated nature: 10. S~:c .

1. The adoption of nondestructive technologies as well as provision

for technology assessment; Priority Ager..:!..:. : -: ­

2. The formulation of a rational population policy which can be

related to fertility control; and

3. Environmental education.

Strategies for Operationalization*

Role of the rr...;'!r :­
1. Induce growth which will address the poverty of the 50 percent
of our people in urban and rural areas who live below poverty 1. f:: ­
line.

2. Integrate environmental considerations into the decision-making

process.

3. Implement proper pricing and distribution of costs and benefits 4, \~--.

from natural resources.

4. Reform property rights to cover both equitable access to resources

as well as recognition of the property rights of cultural
communi ties.

5. Establish an integrated protected areas system geared toward

resotll'ces conservation.

6. Rehabilitate degraded ecosystems from the deforested upland areas

downstream to the lakes and waterways which suffer from
pollution and sedimentation loads.

*Modified from the Philippine Strategy fOr Sustainable Development (PSSD) of

the Department of Environment and Narilral Rt",sources.
- The State ofthe Philippine Environment 7

. :~§:ness and readiness to 7. Strengthen residuals and all point-sources of pollution

=.. for assessing these management.
::- -.sor technologies like
. - -:~:niningtheir potential 8. Strengthen population concerns and social welfare in development
planning.

I' •
. d!lz1ng Sustainable 9. Promote environmental education at all levels.
::~ated nature:

. ~. . :, as well as provision
10. Strengthen citizen participation and con!stituency building.

., - -oEcy which can be

Priority Agenda for Research

i 1. Identify and evaluate different indicators of sustainable

development.

2. ldentitly self-reliance strategies in the pursuit of development.

Role of the University of the Philippines System

::-::-: of the 50 percent
- ..: ';e below poverty
1. Provide technical assistance in policy formulation.

::'-.e decision-making 2. Serve as linkage between decision makers and planners.

3. Develop environmentally sound technologies.

, ~osts and benefits
4. Monitor and evaluate development programs and projects.

- :: ~(cess to resources 5. Provide training progranls for policy makers and planners, middle­
level decision makers and managers, and grassroots workers.
ts of cultural

6. Integrate environmental education in the University curricula.

geared toward

':S :ed upland areas

~;: suffer from

. - , C~~~nt (PSSD) of

I
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8 State of the Nation "ksesrchReports

SUSTAINABLE DEVEWPMENT
IN THE AGRICULWRALAND RURAL SECTOR

The conceptual framework evolved for achieving sustainable

development in the agricultural and rural sector is shown in Figure 1.3. There
are six basic elements of sustainable development identified within this
framework. These elements can be translated into five agricultural strategies
for achieving sustainable development, as follows:

1. Agricultural Production

a. organic vs. inorganic fertilization

b. biological control techniques/integrated pest management vs.
chemical pesticides
c. appropriate and indigenous technologies and resources
d. crop and product diversification
e. production of import substitl.ites
f. more active land distribution -<
g. promotion of cooperative movements
h. people empowerment toward greater participation in decision
making
\. agro and social forestry .
::

2. Market ..,
development ofsmall-scale agribusiness industries; concern for food
security vs.. export orientation

3. Infrastructure

increased financial support for infrastructural development

4. Education

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
extension delivery system
communication and information dissemination
value formation from primary to college level
vigorous family planning education
regulation of spatial mobility-from upland to lowland
-
and urban growth centers
f. conswner education
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BASIC ELEMENTS AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABLE

STRATEGIES DEVELOPMENT ~
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1. EfIlcient land distribution 1. Agricultural production 1. Sustainable availabilit); ~
~
and utilization
2. Presence of support
2.
3.
Market
Infrastructure
equitable distribution
of environmental and ...~
serVIces 4. Education life~sustaining goods f~.
3. Htllnan resources 5. Support services 2. Well-nourished and
4. Strong political will educated population ~
5. Natural resources
6. Technology generation
and evaluation

FIGURE 1.3
3. Improved soil and
water conditions
I
CoNCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
IN THE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL SECTORS
\0
10· State ofthe Nation Research Reports

5. Support Services
THE r~
Sustainable agricultural and rural development is indicated by the
following:

a. Sustained availability and equitable distribution of environment

and life-sustaining goods

b. Well-nourished and educated population

c. Improved soil and water conditions state or- IT.e • ­

order IO a"~:':
Policy Agenda for the Agricultural and Rural Sector degradatio:~ ..­
environmer:: '-- ~ .
1. Advocate policy which is biased for resource poor farmers forestry sectc _
here and m2..::~~: . ­
2. Streamline the bureaucracy tocOineupv:--. ~ 0:­
and develorr:-·~:·-
3. Provide equitable access to resources
The ::. __ ~
4. Patent locally developed technologies
historical accO" -' ... °

5. Adopt nonpollutive agricultural practices of the prese::.~ - ~.

evaluates the C'- =< _ :
6. Discourage "cheaper to import" policy and social co':'
study, the pr:c--:­
Action Agenda of action.

1. Develop and test Integrated Pest Management (IPM) package for various 1. Approach --;.::'
crops
This ~~ 0­ •

2. Promote agro-based rural industries

information .~;~ -=- . ~
on natural ro::
3. Adopt organic agriculture
and magazir,e . . ::
4. Introduce appropriate and indigenous technology and farming system the public F':':'
meetings or- :.:- ~ - ­
5. Promote agroforestry '\vorkshop \1:':' ­
and the En\:_ ...
6. Promote sustainable agricultural practices and human health which this S:-.o__:'~
members a,,':: ..
7. Establish integrated community-based development programs sessions ha\'~ .,' ..