Impact of COVID-19 on the environment sector: a case study of Central Visayas, Philippines

The pandemic has underscored the importance of the environment. In this study, the environmental condition of Central Visayas, Philippines has been assessed and evaluated before and during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to deal with a possible association between the environmental indicators and the pandemic. The relationships between environmental key variables namely: air quality, air pollution, water quality, water pollution, and solid waste management have been quantified. The study utilized secondary data sources from a review of records from government agencies and LGUs in Region 7. This study also provides a framework which is the pandemics and epidemics in environmental aspects. The paper concludes by offering researchers and policymakers to promote changes in environmental policies and provide some recommendations for adequately controlling future pandemic and epidemic threats in Central Visayas, Philippines.