List of Natural Resources

in the Philippines

BY: IVY ROSE ECLARINO MALABUTE

 With over 7,000 islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, the Philippines are
endowed with rich natural resources: mineral, agricultural, and marine. The land is fertile and
the climate ranges from temperate to subtropical, providing an environment for many plant
and animal species. The country is also blessed with mineral resources and an extensive
coastline filled with marine life.
 Mineral Deposits

Except for petroleum and a number of metals, mineral resources abound in Philippine soil.
The country’s mineral deposits can be classified into metals and non-metals. Our metal deposits are
estimated at 21.5 billion metric tons, while non-metal deposits are projected at 19.3 billion metric
tons. Nickel ranks first in terms of deposits and size, it is found in Surigao del Norte, Davao, Palawan,
Romblon and Samar. Iron is found in Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Norte and Cotabato.
While copper in Zambales, Batangas, Mindoro, Panay and Negros. Among non-metal deposits, the most
abundant are cement, lime, and marble. Other non-metals include asbestos, clay, guano, asphalt, feldspar,
sulfur, talc, silicon, phosphate, and marble.
 Sea Life

With its territorial waters measuring as much as 1.67 million square kilometers and located in the worlds
fishing center, the Philippines is definitely rich in marine resources. Of the 2,400 fish species found in the country.  65
have good commercial value. Other marine products include corals, pearls, crabs and seaweeds. Some of the countries
best salt water fishing area’s are found in Sintangki Island in Sulu Estancia in Bohol, Malampaya in Palawan, Lingayen
Gulf in Pangasinan, San Miguel lake in Camarines Norte, Bantayan Channel in Cebu, and the seas of Quezon and
Sorsogon.
On the other hand, among our biggest fisher water fishing areas are Laguna de Bay, Bombon Lake in
Batangas, Bato Lake in Canmarines Sur, Naujan Lake in Mindoro and Mainit lake in Agusan del Norte
 Agricultural Crops

According to the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources, major agricultural crops include
corn, rice, sugarcane, abaca (hemp), and tobacco. Native fruits include coconuts, watermelons, and mangoes. The
indigenous pili nut is used in the production of chocolate, candies, ice cream, and soap.
The Philippines’ primary source of livelihood is its fertile land. Rich, wide plains suitable for farming are found in the
Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, South western Bicol, Panay, Negros, Davao, Cotabato, Agusan and Bukidnon. The country
‘s six major crops are rice, corn, sugarcane, coconut, abacaand tobacco. Except for rice and corn, all these products are
exported, along with bananas and pineapples.
Our Forests
The Philippines also boasts of wide tracts of lush, green forests. In fact, almost half of
the country’s total land area is forested. Sixty percent of these forests are found in Mindanao.
 What is the importance of Agriculture for our country?
Agriculture, for decades, had been associated with the production of basic food crops. Agriculture and farming were
synonymous so long as farming was not commercialized. But as the process of economic development accelerated, many more
other occupations allied to farming came to be recognized as a part of agriculture.

At present, agriculture besides farming includes forestry, fruit cultivation, dairy, poultry, mushroom, bee keeping, arbitrary, etc.
Today, marketing, processing, distribution of agricultural products etc. are all accepted as a part of modern agriculture.

Thus, agriculture may be defined as the production, processing, marketing and distribution of crops and livestock products.
According to Webster's Dictionary, "agriculture is the art or science of production of crops and livestock on farm."

Importance of Agriculture

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the life of an economy. It is the backbone of our economic system. Agriculture not only provides
food and raw material but also employment opportunities to a very large proportion of population. The following facts clearly
highlight the importance of agriculture in this country.

1. Source of Livelihood
2. Contribution to National Income
3. Supply of Food and Fodder
4. Importance in International Trade
5. Marketable Surplus
6. Source of Raw Material
7. Importance in Transport
8. Contribution to Foreign Exchange Resources
9. Vast Employment Opportunities
10. Overall Economic Development
11. Source of Saving
12. Source of Government Income
13. Basis of Economic Development
 The importance of fisheries and aquaculture
Today, fish provides more than one billion poor people with most of their daily animal protein. Fish provides nutrients and
micronutrients that are essential to cognitive and physical development, especially in children, and are an important part of a
healthy diet. As an affordable animal source of protein in some of the poorest countries, fish is the primary source of
nutrition, creating growing demand for this staple. However, fish supplies are failing to meet demand and there are major
shortages in some critically poor countries where they are needed most.

Globally, more than 250 million people depend directly on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods and millions are
employed in fisheries and aquaculture value chains in roles such as processing or marketing. The very poor often rely on
fishing as a primary source of income. These small-scale fishers are particularly vulnerable as fish stocks diminish.
Increased productivity from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture can be a driver for rural development by mitigating risks to
livelihoods and contributing to income generation and employment.

Improving the productivity of fisheries and aquaculture is vital to reducing hunger and poverty for millions in the developing
world. Sustainable, productive fisheries and aquaculture improve food and nutrition security, increase income and improve
livelihoods, promote economic growth and protect our environment and natural resources.
A sustainable approach to fisheries and aquaculture will help to protect our natural resources and ensure that fish stocks are
available for future generations. Currently, overfishing, ineffective management practices, industrial development and
agricultural pollution have reduced fish stocks. While sustainable fisheries management is a challenge, solid global and
regional governance of these vital resources will ensure that we can produce enough fish for those living in poor regions.

Aquaculture, in particular, has tremendous potential to enhance food security and be environmentally sustainable. Small-
scale aquaculture is especially important for meeting the world’s growing demand for fish. As fish require a smaller
environmental footprint than other animal source food, aquaculture is a more environmentally sustainable option for meeting
the world’s food needs than other animal source foods.

"Fish provides more than one billion poor people with most of their daily animal protein."
 Role of Mineral Resources in Economic Development

Employment Opportunities :Unemployment and disguised unemployment are serious problem of

nepalese economy.In foreign countries many people have employment oppurtunities from the mineral
resources.Thus by extraction of mineral is a good source of employment opportunities.

Industrial development: Many mineral resources like kerosene ,petrol,diesel etc are the basic minerals
necessary to run the industries. Many machinery equipment’s are made from minerals.Many industries are
established in nepal also which helps in earning and gives employment to many unemployment people.

Agriculture development: Minerals are also used in manufacture of agriculture tools and implements such as
machines and irregation equipment for agriculture development. Minerals are useful for the development if
agriculture sector.

Development of transport and elecricity: Mineral resources are also help to develop transportation
facilities. Different means of transport like railway, aeroplane and vechicles run from the source of energy which
comes from minerals.

So minerals are one of the important natural resources which we need in our daily life.
Rock and mineral resources have a wide variety of uses and play a huge role in our lives The Mineral Information Institute has a poster showing
how much of a variety of minerals each person uses in his or her lifetime. 

Minerals are important to our health. We need small amounts of a wide variety of minerals. Minerals found in Tennessee which people need
include: calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, copper, fluoride, iron, and zinc. 
Coal, oil and natural gas provide us with almost all of the energy we use to light, heat and run our world. 

Importance of Forests
Forests and biodiversity are key to all life forms. The richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical
discoveries, economic development and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change. 

Below are some more importance of forests:

Watershed
Forests serve as a watershed. (A watershed: The area of land that contributes water to a stream or river. Watersheds come in all
sizes—some are millions of square miles, while others are just a few acres.) This is because almost all water ultimately comes from
rivers and lakes and from forest-derived water tables. Some rivers running through forests are also kept cool and from drying
out. "The Amazon is by far the largest watershed and largest river system in the world occupying over 6 million square kilometers.
Over two-thirds of all the fresh water found on Earth is in the Amazon Basin's rivers, streams, and tributaries."
Habitat and Ecosystems
Forests serve as a home (habitat) to millions of animals. Think of the many types of reptiles (snakes and lizards) wild animals,
butterflies and insects, birds and tree-top animals as well as all those that live in the forest streams and rivers. 
Animals form part of the food chain in the forests. All these different animals and plants are called biodiversity, and the interaction
with one another and with their physical environment is what we call an ecosystem. Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and
recover from a variety of disasters such as floods and wildfires.
Economic benefits
Forests are of immense economic importance to us. For example, plantation forests provide humans with timber and wood, which
is exported and used in all parts of the world. They also provide tourism income to inhabitants (people living in or close to forests)
when people visit to see the best of nature. 
Climate Control
Climate control and atmosphere purification are key for human existence. Trees and soils help regulate atmospheric temperatures
through a process called evapotranspiration. This helps to stabilize the climate. Additionally, they enrich the atmosphere by
absorbing bad gases (example CO2 and other greenhouse gases) and producing oxygen. Trees also help to remove air pollutants.