Review of Related Literatures

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003)

Solid waste is one of the country's major issues confronting the community and the local
government units. The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (Republic Act 9003) declares
the adoption of a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program as
a policy of the State. Adopts a community-based approach. Mandates waste diversion through
composting and recycling (Uriarte, 2007). The law took effect in February 15, 2001, various
local governments units throughout the country have adopted and created ordinances in
accordance with the framework provided in RA 9003 like the Solid Waste Management Plan
(SWMP) which asks LGUs to prepare, create and implement a 1O year SWMP.
In addition, Barangays are also mandated to the 100% collection of biodegradable and reusable
wastes, establish Materials Recovery Facility whether as a sole barangay or cluster of barangays
and to conduct information and education campaigns within their jurisdiction (RA9003). RA
9003 calls for the institutionalization of a national program that will manage the control, transfer,
transport, processing and disposal of solid waste in the country (Orcullo, 2007).
Extent of the implementation of RA 9003
Upon the implementation of the Republic Act 9003 in 2000, various local
governments have adopted and integrated the law into local laws and ordinances.
RA 9003
provided the framework as to the Solid Waste Management Plans in various LGUs in
the
country. In line with the implementation of the RA 9003, various researches and
reports are
published regarding the assessment of the implementation of the Republic Act in
the local
governments. These studies range from the assessment of the local governments in
their
implementation of the RA 9003, to the challenges and mechanisms of solid waste
management
in the Philippines.
Richie Grace Lago of Liceo de Cagayan University studied on the Solid Waste
Management system in Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro City. Her study entitled Solid
Waste
Management Needs of a Suburban Community studied the terms of handling,
storage,
collection, transfer and transport, processing and disposal of solid waste in the said
community.
In the abstract of her study, she indicated baranggay officials, baranggay workers
and
baranggay residents as the respondents of the study. She measured on the
respondents

awareness of the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act
of 2000
and the initiation of the LGU in the implementation of the said Republic Act. The
researcher
concluded that the respondents have moderate awareness of the RA 9003 and that
this level of
awareness led to the low cooperation in the LGUs in terms of the implementation of
the
Republic Act. She also concluded that this moderate level of awareness discloses a
community
interest in adopting the introduced solid waste management system. Moreover, the
assessment
of the respondents on the Republic Act 9003 depended on their level of awareness
of the
Republic Act and the perceived importance of the Materials Recovery Facility. Lastly,
the
researcher concluded that the baranggay should take the lead on the
implementation and
support of the Republic Act 9003, which will in return affect the receptiveness of the
respondents to the said Act.
Francis Paulo M. Quinas study on Wasting Away: The challenges of solid waste
management in the Philippines, a study posted on the UP Forum, tackled on the
situation of
solid waste management in the country. The researcher presented the current
deplorable state
of the Philippines in terms of waste, especially on landfills and dumpsites. The
researcher talked
on the current law managing the solid waste management in the country and the
urban planning
and renewal. The study imparts on the poor urban planning that led to the current
solid waste management problem, especially in Manila. The study stated, to begin
with, poor urban
planning and its inadequate implementation in Metro Manila have contributed
significantly to the
solid waste problem. It also presented the current situation of the LGUs which
acknowledges
the sector of tourism, thus reducing the impacts of the community on the
environment, mainly
caused by the wastes generated in the households and industries. The study
assessed on the
role of the Filipino individuals to the segregation of waste, saying that most Filipino
households
dont even bother to segregate their solid waste. Because of this, there is a pressing
need for
Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in communities across the country. These
facilities process
solid waste to recover recyclable and reusable materials, not only greatly reducing
the volume
of solid waste, but also generating revenue for the LGUs.

William H. O. Streegan assessed on the compliance of Bacolod City to the RA 9003.

The researcher presented facts on the current situation of Bacolod City, including
the fact that
waste management problems as a major pillar in the flooding of Bacolod City. The
researcher
also presented the current situation of Baranggay Felisa as the citys illegal open
dump, where a
sanitary landfill is proposed to be situated. The researcher assessed Bacolod City
into five
conclusions. First, the Bacolod City Government did not comply with the guidelines
and
deadlines of RA 9003 and therefore the National Solid Waste Management
Commission.
Second, the City Government failed to address the DENRs request to establish a
sanitary
landfill. Third, the City Government did not heed the call to close illegal open
dumpsite in
Baranggay Felisa. Fourth, that the City Government could be subjected to criminal
sanctions as
a result of non-compliance to RA 9003. Lastly, the City Government continued to
operate the
illegal dumpsite in Brgy. Felisa. As a whole, the researcher stated that it is
imperative that the
City should be more serious about the implementation of RA 9003 and should
fasttrack its
information drive on this law so that the citizenry could become more aware of its
provisions. It
is equally imperative that the citizenry, either in their homes or in their workplaces
should
implement proper waste segregation, so that the City could comply with its
agreement with the
DENR.
Another related study is Jessie Todocs Decentralized Solid Waste Management In
The Philippines, which sought to analyze the framework of Solid Waste
Management in the
Philippines. The study also aimed to formulate strategies for its replication in the
country and
among local government members of the Kitakyushu Initiative Network. The study
tackled on
four baranggays and villages in the country, which assessed the compliance of Local
Government Units to the Republic Act 9003. It further scrutinized on the budget
allotment,
disposal facilities, and sanitary landfills of the LGUs.
The book entitled The Garbage Book: Opportunities for Change assessed the
implementation of the RA 9003 at the baranggay level. It states that, while the
extent of formal

recycling through local government initiatives has been limited, informal and private
sector
recycling is extensive, at all points from waste generation through to final disposal.
Scavenging
forms a significant element of this activity. It is found out that an insignificant
amount of 10% of
waste is only recycled. More so, it assessed that community-based initiatives
involve waste
segregation at source, recycling, and composting. Programs have been attempted in
many
barangays throughout Metro Manilasome have succeeded, others have failed for
one reason
or another. Leadership is the key factor in successful programs. In most cases, the
initiative is
led by the Barangay Captain or nongovernment organization aligned with the
zerowaste
movement.
With the signing of RA 9003 into law, a challenge is posed for the local governments
to implement the provisions of the republic act into local laws and ordinances.
Various local
governments have adopted and have implemented the RA 9003 into local
ordinances, but the
challenge comes with putting right sanctions to the violators of the law. The
assessment
provided for by the different researchers suggests that despite the presence of local
ordinances,
there is still much to be done.
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Problems Encountered
In the study conducted by Dr. Jean Faullimmel in 2011, it shows that open dump
approach remains the predominant waste disposal option in most developing countries especially
in the Philippines primarily because it is the cheapest and most convenient. Yet the community is
aware that such types of waste disposal degrade the quality of life and cause ecological harm
(SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT by Jean Faullimmel, Ph.D.).
Acosta Michelle, Alamillo, Regine, Garcia Anna Michelle, Minto, Adreline of De La
Salle University Dasmarias conducted a study in 2009 entitled the efficiency of Republic Act
no 7924 in relation to solid waste management and disposal in selected barangays of Muntinlupa
City. Included in the Researchers findings that the problem arises in Muntinlupa City is the
people cooperation, the closure of dumpsites and the inefficiency of the contractors. The
researchers also found out that there is efficiency in the collection of garbage and its disposal if
the resident concern will cooperate, that the solution in the problems encountered by Muntinlupa
City year 2005 to 2007 is to inform people with policies and programs until they get used to it
and protect the policy needs to change the culture, lifestyle and habit of the public in terms of
proper segregation and disposal.
In 2001, Romeo R. Olaes Waste Management among households in selected Barangays
in Dasmarias Cavite concludes that consumption pattern, rapid population growth and
government programs are the factors that affect waste management practices among households.

It was also found out that waste management is a household problem and the measures being
instituted by the Municipality of Dasmarias are not adequate to address the problem on waste
management.
Catherine T. Crisostomo (2001) of De La Salle University studied Solid Waste
Management in Tagaytay. Her study entitled Solid waste management: Knowledge, attitudes
and practices of households in Core House, Tagaytay City. In the abstract of her study, it
examines the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of households in the Core House,
Tagaytay City regarding Solid Waste Management. She used survey method in order to study on
the in-depth issues regarding solid waste management of households in Tagaytay. The study
concluded that respondents are conscious about solid waste situation in the country and they are
highly familiar with basic principles of solid waste management.
Although, majority of the population are not familiar with solid waste management
policies and ordinances of Tagaytay City with regard to the practice, most recognized waste
disposal method in the neighborhood is waste collection by truck. Respondents also displays
positive attitude towards solid waste management in terms of the role of the government and the
citizen in management and maintenance of solid wastes.
It also shows that plastic, paper and food residues are the most generated solid wastes in the
households of Core House, Tagaytay City.
Interventions
Here are the various interventions made by local government units in order to address the
problems encountered in the implementation of RA 9003:
In Davao City, the Local Government launched the Barangay Solid Waste Management
Contest in order to intensify the strict compliance and observance of RA 9003 and City
Ordinance No. 361 or Davao Citys Waste Segregation Policy. The search started July of 2012
until the end of the year. The contest is open to all barangays of Davao City regardless of the
financial status, area and the number of residents. The Davao City Ecological Solid Waste
Management Board will be the one to supervise the contest and choose the panel of judges for
the competition and ensures fairness and judges will be outsourced not from Davao City. The
search has the following criteria: cleanliness and orderliness 40%, innovations -- 35 %, and
initiative -- 25 %. A cash price of 1 million Pesos will be given to the major winner, with the
second winner getting 500,000 pesos and the third receiving 300,000 pesos.
In a thesis presented by Argueda C. Mosqueda in 2008 entitled: Successful Strategies to
Generate Community Involvement in Solid Waste Management: Three Case Studies in the
Philippines. This presents three success stories in solid waste management in the Philippines
which highlights on approaches towards community participation. The two studies focused on
the conversion of open dumpsites into a waste processing zone namely the Controlled Waste
Disposal Facility in Payatas, Quezon City and the Eco Waste Processing Center in Los Banos,
Laguna. The other success story was in Brgy. Masili, Calamba City, Laguna which highlights
information, education and community- based projects with emphasis on community awareness
in solid waste management in the local level. The study also concludes that people participation
is deeply rooted in political mobilization of their local leaders and these leaders must take the
initiative to make a difference. In addition, the importance of strong advocacy, community
awareness and consciousness, partnership and networking of stakeholders plays a vital role in the
success of the program/policy.
The Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, Inc.s (REECS) 2002
study on household waste management systems and Bennagen, Nepomuceno, Covar in 2002 the

attitudes and behavior of the communities in two barangays in Metro Manila showed that: waste
management is still perceived by many as the responsibility of government. Public participation
in waste management, especially in segregation at source, remains limited. More extensive
awareness- raising activities and training on ecological waste management are needed, together
with stricter enforcement of the Law and local ordinances must be observed and there is lack of
community empowerment and political will to resolve the problem.
a study conducted by Cruz, D.R., Laurito, J. Et al. (2009) entitled: An Evaluation on
the Solid Waste Management Program from Household to Dumpsite in Marikina City. They
have concluded in their research that the success of the city in solid waste management is derived
from the compliance of the household residents and by the strong and unwavering will of the
leaders in Marikina to boost the solid waste management and strong acceptance of the residents
to the solid waste management strategies. In a survey conducted by the researchers in Marikina,
it shows that 100% or all of the 405 respondents practiced waste segregation and in the record of
the CENRO of Marikina it shows that 98% compliance of its residents to this strategy in 2006 to
2007 and 99% conformity on 2008. In 1995, 5 years before the enactment of RA 9003 or the
ecological solid waste management act of 2000, Marikina City has already addressed the waste
management problems of the city thru the Waste Management Office which was created 1995
and was replaced by City Environmental Management Office (CEMO) in 2000 and was able to
practice recycling, reuse and reduction of residual waste.
In a study done by Dr. Maribeth R. Bravo, Associate Professor, School of Urban and
Regional Planning of University of the Philippines-Diliman in 2006. The study was entitled An
Evaluation of the solid waste management system in Marikina City, Philippines with comparison
in Tsukuba City, Japan. The study showed that the Philippines thru Republic Act 9003 is
centered on the reduction, collection and disposal while Japan laws are geared towards waste
recycling in a consumer-driven society. Both cities are similar when it comes to segregation and
in Marikina there are two types of waste materials; the biodegradable and non biodegradable
where as in Tsukuba City; there are four general types of waste these are burnable, recyclable,
non burnable and over-sized garbage. In conclusion with this study, Marikina City is successful
in the implementation of solid waste management and its strategies brought about the
unwavering will of the local leadership and the eagerness of the residents to comply.