Home⇛International Social Science Review⇛vol. 11 no. 1 (2025)

Public Awareness of Environmental Issues in Northern Iloilo, Philippines

Bethel D. Bacabac | Rhealyn B. Paguia

Discipline: environmental sciences

 

Abstract:

The fifth district of Iloilo is confronted with various environmental problems and issues based on the 2020 research. From this, it was suggested that the community’s existing level of environmental awareness be evaluated hence, this study. This descriptive-correlational study assessed the level of public understanding, awareness, and participation on environmental issues in Northern Iloilo as a whole and by municipalities, and if these variables are correlated. The study involved all eleven towns of Northern Iloilo, with representative barangays from each topography area such as upland, lowland, coastal, and island. A total of 1,009 respondents were selected using a convenience sampling. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Spearman Rho were used in the statistical data analysis. Findings indicated a very poor level of public understanding, awareness, and participation on environmental issues in Northern Iloilo as an entire group and by Municipalities. Further, the public’s level of understanding was statistically and positively related to their level of awareness while these two were not statistically related to their level of participation. Thus, the knowledge and ability of the public to judge any environmental issues has something to do with their ability to recognize or perceive the existence of events related to these issues such as the environmental measures promoted and implemented by the government. With this, the public in Northern Iloilo needs proper education about environmental issues and effective measures to motivate them to willingly be involved personally and collectively in the endeavors toward environmental preservation and problem mitigation.



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