The agricultural, environmental, and rehabilitation impacts of soil erosion in the Philippine economy – A walkaround review

Land degradation is a major issue that is in line with the current major problems that the world is facing today – climate change and food security. As a developing country, the Philippines heavily relies on its natural resources for food production, which are constantly being threatened by natural and anthropogenic processes that lead to agro-environmental and economic problems. Soil erosion has long been identified as one of the most serious drivers of natural resources degradation. However, an emphasis must be given to soil erosion to reveal its severity, not only as a physical process that induces direct damage, but also its possible contribution in exacerbating other problems due to its derivative effects. This review aims to undertake soil erosion from an economic perspective that focuses on the possible cost it can impose on the Philippine economy, from the poorest communities to government-level expenditures. It provides a plain sailing overview that can be used to ratify government-level decisions in support of soil and water conservation programs from concerned institutions, together with the need to employ current scientific and technological advances for a more holistic and reliable promulgation of soil erosion mitigation and rehabilitation measures in different settings. The economic impacts of soil erosion on agriculture, the environment, and disaster risk and rehabilitation are presented to delineate the areas that can be addressed through research and development interventions, policy recommendations, the exchange of vital information through instruction and extension, and effective plans for conservation and restoration.