CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION
1. Background of the Study
Solid waste is matter in wrong place. Any objects considered as useless or unwanted and materials to be thrown away are counted as solid waste. Therefore, solid waste is the result of the individuals consumption. The greater the consumption of produced goods; the more solid wastes to be discarded; for instance, for rich children considered their toys useless after several use but for poor ones they still play with it even its damaged. Herewith, solid waste may consists of paper products, food and yard waste, aluminum and iron, glass, wood, plastics, rubber and leather, textiles and even the sludge of a waste treatment plant, water supply plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded material. Therefore, solid waste management is an activity relating to the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, treatment and processing and disposal of solid wastes in compliance with the best principles of public health, economics, engineering, conservation, aesthetic, and other environmental consideration (Uriarte, 2000: 7). The ceaseless attachment of solid waste management to public health and environmental protection carries a significant element. Essential identification of present and future wastes disposal problems is obligatory to establish the objectives of proper management, be it at the local, the regional, and the country level. Waste management has been a problem by most administrators nationwide. As a rule of various countries, solid wastes are generated than what can be collected or disposed. This is especially true in the Philippines, wherein, international companies located at its localities are expected to comply with the solid waste management practices. To note, the Company AB is among the largest company and therefore, should conform to solid waste management (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/waste_management). Waste management practices vary for the developing and the developed nations, for the urban or the rural areas and for the residential and the institution. For instance, the management of wastes from metropolitan areas is obliged to the liability of the local government authorities. Furthermore, the management of nonhazardous commercial and industrial wastes are ought to the accountability of the

management. Usually, wastes are return to the environment through chemical reaction, bacterial activity, and weathering. A number of man-made wastes are also processed or degraded by these processes. In spite of this, a lot of the wastes made by the individuals and the industrial community are not completely decomposed and absorbed into the environment and obliged to undergo special treatment and processing. In this context, the case of solid waste management of Company AB becomes and interesting issue, being one that operates fully integrated agricultural and industrial facilities in Municipality P, South Cotabato, where its base plantation is located. As of 2004, the area planted of pineapple is 15,507.872 hectares with an average production volume of 31.94 metric tons per hectare (Municipality P Developmental Plan, 2004). In addition, Company AB is one of the biggest pineapple producers and processors in the country, in which, it supplies seventy (70) percent of all pineapple requirements of the Company AB Packaged Foods worldwide. Company AB produces processed pineapple product in cans, plastic cups, and pouches, as well as fresh fruits in boxes, and recently, individually quick frozen fruits, principally for exports (Master Copy of Company AB Profile, 2004: 1). The nature and magnitude of production activities that Company AB undertakes being global market-driven at the same time agriculture-based brings to the center stage concerns as to how it has dealt with the enormous volume of solid waste that generates in relation to the health of the residents of its host community and the natural environment that serves as its habitat. Moreover, solid waste could be identified as waste arising from human and animal activities that are normally solid and are discarded futile or unnecessary. Additionally, solid waste may be defined as matter in the wrong place implying that a material becomes a waste simply when are ceases to have use for it. These definitions cover all waste from the heterogeneous throwaways from the household communities to the more homogenous accumulates of agricultural, industrial and mining waste. There are several studies on the waste management program in different sectors; government and non-government institutions. One of these was the study unpublished of Abuhan, Deleon and Goc-ong entitled A Study of the Integrated Solid Waste Management in Kolambugan, Lanao Del Norte. It was qualitative in

method focusing on determining the effectiveness of the program on how community participation contributes to success. While the study was taken from a sociological perspective, it did not look into how government implementers took on their roles; neither did the study examine how waste disposal practices affected the residents and the environment. So far, there seems to be no systematic investigation has been done here at the Department of Sociology, Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology on solid waste management of Company AB Municipality P, South Cotabato despite its wastes generated from production process. This particular concern brings to the forefront the issue as to how its solid wastes management has affected the residents and the immediate environment. It is in the context that this study was undertaken. Moreover, Company AB was chosen as the venue for this study since one of the researchers live within the vicinity of the said company. Besides, her mother is a former employee of the same company, giving the researcher will has an easier access to information about the company especially on the solid waste management program.

2. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to examine the conditions of Municipality P and perceived compliance of compliance with solid waste management laws in Municipality P, South Cotabato. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions: 1. What is the current general profile of Municipality P, South Cotabato? 1.1 Brief history 1.2 Geography and physical 1.3 Human resources 1.4 Economic profile 2. What are the main features of Company AB? 2.1 Brief history 2.2 Products and services 2.3 Company AB operational facilities and corporate social responsibility program 2.4 Waste generated by Company AB 2.5 Company AB Solid Waste Management System 2.6 Company Solid Waste Disposal Practices 3. What is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents? 3.1 Respondents (age, educational attainment, ethnic origin, monthly income, occupation, religious affiliation and sex) 3.2 Key informants (age, educational attainment, ethnic origin, monthly income, religious affiliation and sex) 4. To what extent has Company AB complied with the relevant provisions of solid waste management laws? 5. What is the current overall condition of Municipality P residents and environment in relation to that of before the Company AB operation? Are there significant differences in their condition before and during the operation of Company AB in terms of the following: 4.1 Residents (health, income and social relationships) 4.2 Environment (physical and biological resources) 6. What are the suggested measures to improve solid waste management of Company AB?

3. Hypotheses
Null Hypothesis (H0): There are no significant differences between the perceived conditions of the residents and environment of Municipality P before and during the current operation of Company AB. The residents health, income and social relationships and the physical and biological environments of Municipality P have not changed. Alternative Hypothesis (HA): There are significant differences between the conditions of the residents and environment of Municipality P before and during the current operation of Company AB specifically: The health condition of the residents has significantly deteriorated during the operation of Company AB. Their income has significantly increased during the operation of Company AB. Their social relationships have significantly deteriorated during the operation of Company AB. The current physical and biological environment of Municipality P has significantly deteriorated during the operation of Company AB.

4. Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study focuses on the conditions of Municipality P and perceived compliance of Company AB with solid waste management laws in Municipality P, South Cotabato, particularly on the residents and in the environment. The study consists of thirty four (34) respondents who have lived in Municipality P prior to the operation of the Company AB; the researchers have chosen three (3) barangays, Barangay A, Barangay B, and Barangay C in Municipality P to distribute the structured questionnaire. Five (5) key informants are likewise involved as sources of information for the features of the company. Furthermore, purposive sampling technique is utilized in the study to identify 34 respondents and 5 key informants; and in order for the study to be well supported, snowball sampling is also used for the 5 key informants.

The limitations of the study are the following: the time constraint that the researchers had spent, the financial difficulty that the researchers confronted, the accessibility of information had gathered from the company, for the researchers had not given permission to enter the said company, the length of the area where the study held and the kinds of liquid or water waste chemicals that are produced by Company AB, for the main focus of the study is the conditions of Municipality P and perceived compliance of Company AB with solid waste management laws in Municipality P, South Cotabato.

5. Significance of the Study

The state of human capital in terms of health along with development and environment are such in delicate condition that any further worsening lead to serious adverse consequences, some of which are potentially critical. This could manifest in the form of environmental distress that results from, agricultural industrial and other economic activities. This study seeks into how solid waste management of certain agro-industrial form affects residents and environment commendable and useful initiations towards achieving social, economic and environmental sustainability. Theoretically, this study is a foremost significance as it translates into more concrete and realistic parameters, the theoretical assumptions of the new paradigm of sustainable development that cut across the fundamental dimensions of human and environmental life. In much the same fashion, it operationalizes the provision of the provision of the republic No. 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 This study is likewise of value along methodological sphere. By applying the multi-method approach or triangulation, this study is capable of providing a relatively holistic and contextual portrayal of the phenomenon or issues being studied. This study is essential to the administration and management of Company AB given that is provides empirical-based information on the effects of company solid wastes in the locality. For the municipality of P, this study could be a systematic input for establishing a partnership between the local government unit and Company AB in reviewing the importance of solid waste management and how it can be reinforced towards effective managing and preventing problems

caused by the waste produced by the company and the residents. For the residents, this study is a source of supplementary information on the evaluation of company AB solid waste management and the potential risk of the waste products of the company.

6. Analytical Framework
The World Commission on Environment and Development (1987:43) has defined sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs. Both as a conceptual framework and a strategy development, its primordial aim is to satisfy basic human needs and aspiration for quality life. In essence, this perspective gives overriding concern for the basic needs especially of those who are economically disadvantaged even as it affords particular importance to the limitation that might be required of the capability of the environment to meet the needs both the present and the future by the status and direction of technological development and by the social organization. This development paradigm encompasses three interdependent sets of objectives as pillars that would serve as a strong foundation for a lasting and continuing path and process of transformation towards a fuller and enhanced quality of life. And these consists of the social, economic, and ecological sets of objectives with the first two (social and economic) combined serving both as the guardian and the enhancer of the environment and its resources ( Campbell and Heck, 1997; cited in Guzman and Guzman,200:94-96). Social objectives consist of desired improvements in human conditions including health care, education and social well being, local peoples participation in discussing issues that affect their lives, institutional development, social integration and cultural sensitivity, among other things. Alongside the social are the economic objectives which take into account not only the growth and equity in access to resources but also sees to it that the technological and production processes involved will not degrade nor deplete the resources base but rather protect and conserve the limited and endangered resources, as well as those that have already been degraded or depleted. The ecological objectives together pursues the protection of the natural resources necessary for enabling production levels adequately cope with the needs of the

increasing population. This requires more efficient use of natural resources and the utilization of the environment safe technology that ensures greater production that protects the natural resources from unsustainable exploitation (Ibid., 96-101) Among other things, the sustainable development paradigm requires that economic processes and production practices and technologies be resource base protection and conservation oriented. It is in this context where management of waste generated by production and technological processes takes prominence. Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000., provides for the integrated blue print for solid waste management program in the country, including the necessary mechanism and incentives, funding appropriations and declaring the prohibited acts with their corresponding penalties for violations. The local government units from provincial to barangay levels, including private sector are mandated to formulate and ensure the efficient implementation of their respective comprehensive solid waste management programs/plans consistent with the national solid waste management framework. Particular focus must be given on the strategies for the re-use, recycling and composting of waste that are produced in their respective jurisdiction. Side by side with these is the identification and provision of necessary landfill with its transformation capacity for disposal of solid waste that cannot be re-used, recycled or composted (Sec. 15-16, R.A. 9003). The local government solid waste management is required by the R.A. 9003 (Sec.16), among other things, to take responsibility for ensuring the achievement of 100% collection efficiency from residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sources within its area of coverage. Its plan must take into consideration the following concerns: 1. Availability and provision of properly designed containers or receptacles in selected collection points for the temporary storage of solid waste while awaiting collection and transfer to processing sites or to final disposal sites; 2. Segregation of different types of solid waste for re-use, recycling and composting; 3. Hauling and transfer solid waste from source or collection points to processing sites or final disposal sites;

4. Issuance and enforcement of ordinances to effectively implement a collection system in the barangay; and 5. Provision of properly trained officers and workers to handle solid waste disposal. (Sec. 17 A.C) R.A. 2003 likewise requires the conduct and promotion of researches on solid waste management, particularly on adverse health effects, operation and financing of solid waste disposal programs; planning, implementation and operation of resource recovery and resource conservation systems; production of usable forms of recovered resources; and development and application of improvements of collecting and disposing of solid waste and processing and recovering materials and energy from solid waste; among others (Sec.54) Like any development program, assessment and evaluation of solid waste management must be undertaken in light of universally developed standards that have been in use to determine effectiveness of outcomes and process components. These studies are inherent part of the program operation to determine its performance level in relation to its goals and targets, identify its strengths and weaknesses or deficiencies, and identify areas that require improvements among other things. In this way investment for the program operation may prove either worth or not worth it (Kraft, 2001: 188). Assessment and evaluation of environmental and health impacts of any program, project or operation requires an integrated and multi-dimensional approach. Consistent with the goals of sustainable development paradigm and the stipulations of R.A. 9003, assessment and evaluation of a solid waste management should take into account its effects on human and ecological dimensions of development. In assessing these effects one may be guided by the framework which Larry Canter (1996) has advanced, particularly his integrated approach encompassing the physical-chemical, biological, socioeconomic, and cultural effects that legislative acts, programs, projects or production processes may create. The physical-chemical environment include soils, geology, topography, surface-water and ground water resources, water quality, air quality, and climate. Biological environment consists of the flora and fauna resources that abound in an area, including trees, grasses, fish, fauna, birds and mammals whether endemic, threatened or endangered. Considerations

on historic and archeological sites, and aesthetics resources such visual quality constitute cultural environment. The range of concerns involving humans in the environment is what socioeconomic environment encompasses. It includes such people-environment considerations and population trends and characteristics, health care and social services such as law enforcement, fire protection, water supply, waste-water treatment facilities, solid-waste collection and disposal and utilities, educational systems, housing characteristics, income levels, livelihood patterns, ethnic group settlements and conditions, transportation system, community attitudes and lifestyles, political behavior and voting patterns, family structure and social networks, community cohesion, tourism and recreational opportunities religious patterns and characteristics, and psychological well being among other things (Ibid. pp6-7,122-140, 499-511). Effects on natural environment are considered direct effects while those that pertain to human or socio-economic, cultural and aesthetics constitute indirect effects. Also referred to as secondary effects, indirect effects are deemed to create far-reaching significance as these involve people and their needs for quality life throughout generations. The main focus of this study is the conditions of Municipality P and perceived compliance of Company AB with solid waste management laws in Municipality P, South Cotabato. Serving as the context of the study are the general profile of Municipality P, features of Company AB and the socio-demographic profile of the respondents and the key informants. The overall condition of Municipality P is determined by comparing the current and that before the operation of Company AB in terms of the residents health, income, social relationship and environment, particularly physical-chemical and animal and plants resources. Measured in terms of quantitative and qualitative assessments, the difference would indicate the quality of change. A negative difference would indicate deterioration and a positive difference indicates improvement. Perceived effects of the Companys solid waste management on the residents and on the environment of the municipality where it operates is assumed to have been influenced by the company solid waste management system and the extent to which it has complied with the solid waste management law. It is assumed that these effects would have far reaching advantages or

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disadvantages for the residents and the environment. While the company may have ushered in terms of increased income, it is assumed that its effect on peoples health and social relationships and on the natural environments could be unfavorable. Designed towards improving the solid waste management program of the company, problems are identified and possible measures or courses of action determined to address the ill-effects of the program on the residents and on the environment as well as the factors that may have hindered its effective implementation.

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Socio-demographic profile of the respondents and key informants

Current overall condition of Municipal P residents and environmental and that before Company AB operation

Problems and suggestions to improve solid waste management

Perceived effects of wastes from Company AB: A.Environment B.Residents

Company AB solid waste management strategies and its extent of compliance with solid waste management law.

Main features of Company AB

General profile of Municipality P

Figure 1. Solid Waste Management and its influence on the Residents and Environment of Municipality P

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The main focus of the study is the conditions of Municipality P and perceived compliance of Company AB in Municipality P, South Cotabato. In the general context of the study, the general profile of Municipality P must be known in order to distinguish the current overall situation of Municipality P before and during the operation of Company AB; in terms of key informants and respondents health, income and social relationship. Furthermore, the study seeks to highlight the acquired information on Company AB solid waste management strategies and the extent of compliance with solid waste management law. Wherein, obtaining the main features of Company AB through key informants and several journals from Company AB will support the study and could possibly one of the references to identify what solid wastes are generated by Company AB and upon disposing Company ABs solid waste, it needs strategies or techniques in discarding wastes in complying solid waste management law; and the possible problems and suggestions on how to improve solid waste management and what are the recommendations for improving solid waste management. The schematic diagram conceptualizes the general context of the study in which it illustrates the interplay of various variables in the study. Wherein, the study anchored the general profile of Municipality P. Additionally, the diagram captures the whole issues of the study. In which, socio demographic profile of the key informants and respondents are initially needed for the study, and in order to obtain information on their current overall condition of Municipality P residents and environment before and during Company AB operations. In which the main features of Company AB must be identified to continue to discover Company AB solid waste management strategies and its extent of complying with solid waste management law are reinforced with the current overall condition of Municipality P residents and environment before and during Company AB operation. Through this, the study will tell what problems and suggestions to improve solid waste management and the effects of solid wastes from Company AB in the residents and environment.

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7. Operational Definition of Variables 1.) General profile of Municipality P - refers to the description of the attributes of the municipality particularly its demographic features, economic condition, and system of waste management program. a. Demographic features - refers to the human population in terms of its size, growth, distribution, in Municipality P, South Cotabato. b. Economic condition - refers to the financial situation of Municipality P. c. Geophysical environment - refers to the substantial surroundings in terms of its observable events in Municipality P. d. Political system - refers on the structures and affairs of the government according to the environmental laws in Municipality P. 2.) Main features of Company AB - refers to the attributes of Company AB including historical background and waste disposal methods, products and services, production process, waste generated, organizational set-up, linkages etc. a. Solid waste management - shall refer to the discipline associated with the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing, and disposal of solid waste in a manner that is in accord with the best principle of public health, economics, engineering, conservation, aesthetics, and other environmental consideration, and that is also responsive to public attitudes. Types of technology and system are defined as follows: a.1 Incineration - incineration has been in use in many countries. It involves using thermal decomposition to convert solid waste to less bulky, less toxic material. It is an easy way to reduce the weight and volume of waste. a.2 Sanitary Landfill - land filling is probably the oldest method of waste disposal. Sanitary landfills require a large area and suitable location. Setting this up includes three phrases: construction, operation and post closure. a.3 Composting - Composting is the biological decomposition of the organic positions of solid waste under controlled conditions. It produces compost, a soil like material high in organic matter.

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a.4 Refuse-Derived Fuel - the refuse-derive fuel method is a way of reducing solid waste into a source of heat. a.5 Pyrolysis - is described as a process of destruction distillation where complex polymeters are broken down to produce solids, liquids and gaseous fractions. It is akin to incineration but differs from it because pyrolsis produces a valuable product or recovers energy. a.6 Vermi Composting - is the method used to change certain organic waste such as animal wastes, saw dust, agricultural crop waste and other solid waste into a useful product. Vermi culture speeds up the decomposition process of the waste with the use of earth worms. 3.) Socio-demographic profile of the respondents - refers to the description of the attributes of the respondents in terms of age, civil status, educational attainment, ethnic affiliation, income per month, number of children, occupation, religious affiliation and sex. Concepts are defined as follows; a. Age - refers to the total number of years of biological existence of the respondents at the time of research. b. Civil Status - refers to marital the category of the respondents either single or married, widow or widower and separated. c. Educational attainment - refers to the highest academic achievement of the respondents. d. Ethnic affiliation - refers to the cultural group where the respondents belong. e. Income per month - refers to the monthly average or regular earnings of the respondents. f. Number of children - refers to the number of offspring the respondents have. g. Occupation - refers to the respondents source of living from which they derived their income. h. Religious affiliation - refers to the respondent religious group to which the respondents belong. i. Sex - refers to the biological category of the respondents that could identify themselves as female or male.

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4.) Condition of residents and environment before and during the Company AB operation - refers to the environmental situation and peoples health condition before and during the Company AB operation, what are the changes in their health and environment. a. Means score - refers to the total average rating that was given by the respondents in evaluating the Company AB solid waste management program, including the respondents health, income, social relationships, and physical and biological environment. Ratings are defines as follows: a.1. Excellent - refers to the highest rating of the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program. a.2. Very good - refers to the second higher rating of the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program. a.3. Good - refers to the middle rating of the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program. a.4. Poor - refers as the second lower rating of the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program. a.5. Very poor - refers to the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program. a.6. Very Highly Practiced - refers to the highest rating of the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program. a.7. Highly Practiced - refers to the second higher rating of the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program. a.8 Moderately Practiced - refers to the middle rating of the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program.

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a.9 Seldom Practiced - refers as the second lower rating of the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program. a.10 Very Seldom or Never Practiced - refers to the respondents of Company AB in dealing with solid waste management program. a.11 Negative Result of the Difference - refers to deterioration of an item or a dimension. a.12 Positive Result of the Difference - refers to improvement of an item or a dimension. 5.) Extent of compliance with the relevant solid waste management laws - refers to the perceived level of performance of Company AB in implementing the government laws on solid waste management based in R.A. 9003 6.) Perceived effect of Company AB solid waste on the residents and the environment - refers to the consequences on the residents and the environment of Municipality P in terms of its biological resources and its physical and chemical aspects. This is presented attached on the overall physical and biological environment of Municipality P, South Cotabato before and during the Company ABs operation and being analyzed using the responses of the respondents on during the Company ABs operation. a. Biological resources - refers to the plant and animal life existing in Municipality P that is affected by Company AB. a.1 Animal - refers to the creature that is affected by the Company AB operations. a.2 Plants - refers to the vegetation that is affected by the Company AB operations. b. Physical and chemical - refers to the environment of Municipality P including air, soil, and water that have affected been by the waste management of the company. b.1 Air - refers to the atmosphere that is affected by the Company AB operations. b.2 Soil - refers to the terrain that is affected by the Company AB operations.

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b.3 Water - refers to the irrigation that is affected by the Company AB operations. c. Residents - refers to the people living on Municipality P, South Cotabato at the same time the subject of the study. c.1 Health - refers to the wellness of the people living in Municipality P, South Cotabato. c.2 Social relationship - refers on the condition of the residents in going with the social interaction to their family, neighbors, friends and other people in the society. 7.) Suggested measures to improve solid waste management - refers to the notions and opinions proposed to Company AB to develop the procedures in the laws in disposing its excess.

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