CHAPTER 5

Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

This study postulated that the existing environmental conditions at Balumbato

Elementary School and its vicinity relative to noise, air, water, and soil pollution affect

the health of the pupil.

The research focused on the perceived causes of the environmental problems in

Balumbato Elementary School and their effects on the health of the pupils. It involved a

total of 421 respondents composed of 200 pupils from Grades III, IV, V, and VI and

either of their parents. The 21 faculty members in the school were also chosen to be

respondents in the study. However, the questionnaires of only 357 respondents or

89.33% of the target sample were retrieved by the researcher.

The data collated were analyzed and interpreted using frequency and percentage

counts. The Environmental Quality Standards for noise, water and soil and a

documented Assessment Air Pollution Report from DENR were also employed to

interpret the analyses of the sound level and of the water and soil samples. Ranking was

used to describe the illnesses/diseases mostly contracted by the pupil respondents.

Findings

The researcher attempted to provide answers to the following specific problems:

1. What is the situation of the environment existing within the vicinity of

Balumbato Elementary School with regard to noise pollution, air pollution,

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water pollution and soil pollution?

1.1 The series of sound measurements conducted revealed that noise

pollution existed in the vicinity of Balumbato Elementary School.

The computed arithmetic medians on eight counts during daytime

exceeded the maximum allowable noise level at the given time

interval of 50 decibel. The computed average arithmetic median of

57.07 was way above the standard noise level in Class AA area,

which is 50 db.

1.2 The air around the locale was considered polluted based on the

“Stations General Air Pollution Assessment Report for 2000-2001”.

The mean of the pollution index reached 336, the highest mean

among the twelve (12) stations in Metro Manila.

1.3 Water samples were taken from three different water sources in

Balumbato Elementary School. The sample that was taken from the

faucet near the toilet was contaminated with coliform; hence the

water was not considered safe for drinking.

1.4 The result of the soil analysis showed that the soil in the vicinity was

generally favorable.

2. What are the causes of these existing environmental problems?

The top five factors contributing to the existing environmental problems

in Balumbato Elementary School and its vicinity were (1) smoke emitted by

nearby factories, (2) foul odor from school toilets (3) unpleasant odor from

factories; (4) temperate weather and (5) foul odor from garbage.
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3. How do the pupils, parents, and teacher respondents perceive the effects of the

environmental problems?

Predominant effects of the environmental problems were eye irritations,

absenteeism, headaches, and inattentiveness and lack of concentration during

class hours.

The pupil and the teacher respondents considered the effects of the

environmental constraints as “alarming,” whereas the parents perceived the

effects as “disturbing”.

4. What are the diseases commonly contracted by the pupils?

Colds, cough, fever, and headaches were the leading diseases that mostly

affected them. Anemia was apparently the disease that was least contracted.

Conclusions

Based on the salient findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. Prevalent pollution problems around Balumbato Elementary School and its

proximate neighborhood were air and noise pollution.

Water from MWSS Tap in the Balumbato Elementary School canteen

and in the new building was safe for drinking.

The fertility rating of soil was generally adequate/favorable.

2. The predominant factors that contributed to the existing environmental problem

were the smoke and the foul odor emitted by nearby factories and the temperate

weather.
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3. Majority of the consequential effects caused by the various pollutants in the

locale affecting the pupils were perceived as alarming.

4. The common diseases related to the pollution problems were airborne.

Recommendations

Based on the findings and the conclusions of the study, the researcher offers the

following recommendations.

1. Lessons pertaining to ecological values must be integrated in the different

content areas. The school personnel should serve as models in helping to combat

pollution and to protect the environment.

2. The government should implement strictly the various measures to curb

pollution in the area. Stringent rules regarding the use of pollution control

devices and techniques by factories and other industrial establishments must be

implemented and monitored by government agencies.

3. The Clean and Green Program as well as Zero Waste Management should be

intensified through the collaborative efforts of the citizens and of the local

government of Quezon City.

4. The partnership among the home, the school, and the community should be

strengthened through the Parent-Teachers-Community Association. Cleanliness

must be one of the salient activities to be included in their program. Sustenance

of similar activities should be undertaken consciously and conscientiously

through the leadership of the school authorities.

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5. Health rules and policies of the school must be properly disseminated among the

pupils and their parents. Seminars on different health and environmental topics

should be conducted for the parents.

6. All efforts should be exerted to minimize health problems particularly the air

borne and the water borne diseases. This would require close coordination

between the school authorities and the personnel of the Department of Health.

7. Teachers should find effective ways to motivate their pupils even in the presence

of environmental problems.

8. An in-depth research on the same topic must be undertaken to verify the

findings of this study. Similar researches may be also be undertaken in other

urban areas.