Introduction

Chapter I
INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the introductory part of the study. It contains the background information of the study, statement of the problem, significance of the study the scope and limitation of the study, operational definition of terms, and conceptual frame work of the study.
Plastic waste is one of the major components in solid waste, and considered as one of environmental problems in the Philippines particularly in the urban areas. Plastic shopping or carrier bags are one of the main sources of plastic waste in our country. Plastic bags of all sizes and colors affect the city‘s landscape due to the problems of misuse and overuse and littering in the country. Aside from this visual pollution, plastic bag wastes contribute to blockage of drains and gutters, which threatens aquatic life when they find their way to water bodies, and can cause deaths to livestock when consumed. Furthermore, when filled with rainwater, plastic bags become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which cause malaria. In addition, plastics take many years to degrade. Thus, they pose risks for the environment and human health (Narayan, 2001).
Indang, one of the municipalities of Cavite, also had a serious problem in waste collection. PG-ENRO reported that the residents usually dump their garbage by frequently burying and incinerating (Caneda, 2007). There were arising solid waste management issues like collection of mixed wastes, improper practice of waste segregation, no segregation bins, no composting, areas and with Material Recovery Facilities but not functioning, which may result to extensive problem of solid waste (Marges, 2011). These results are in contrast with one of the objectives of Republic Act. 9003; to provide systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program together with enforcement and responsibility of solid waste management with national government, non-government organization, and local government units. According to Mrs. Ambas (MENRO-Indang), the estimated residual waste that is being collected is 45%, higher than the ideal standard waste which must be 10 %. It is indicated that there is a need for the implementation of Provincial Ordinance No. 007-2012 or the selective plastic ban and the use of eco bag and other environmentally practices to the municipality to minimize if not eliminate activities, products and services that generate residual waste and to promote practices that will support avoidance or reduction of residual waste in the province. In relation to solid waste management, Cavite State University has growing population that helps minimize activities, products, and services that produce residual waste and promote practices that support avoidance or reduction of the residual waste in the province by the implementation P.O 007-2012.

Statement of the Problem
This study generally aims to provide information that evaluates the awareness and practices of freshmen students of College of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources at Cavite State University on the implementation of P.O. 007-2012 the Selective plastic ban and the use of eco bag ordinance of the Province of Cavite.
This study specifically seeks to answer the following questions: 1. What is P.O 007-2012? 2. What is the level of awareness of selective freshmen students of College of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources at Cavite State University on P.O 007-2012? 3. What are some practices that students do to comply with this ordinance?

Significance of the Study
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science students. The result of the study will give research based information for BS-ES students about the awareness and practices particularly in solid waste management like banning of using of plastics.
The Future Researchers. It will provide baseline data and information for the future researchers who would want further study on the same research.
Municipal Personnel. The results of the study will help municipal planners in making decisions when implementing program thrusts.
The Community. It will provide baseline data and information on how P.O 007-2012 works after the implementation.

Scope and Limitation of the Study
Cavite State University main campus will be identified as study area. The study will be conducted from month of June to July 2013. The study will focus only on the assessment on the level of awareness and the practices being performed of freshmen students of College of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources at Cavite State University on the implementation of P.O. 007-2012.
Survey questionnaire and interview schedule will be used to gather data about the knowledge, awareness, and practices about P.O. 007-2012.
Photo documentation will also be used for further validation.

Operational Definition Terms
Awareness. It refers to familiarity of respondents to provisions and prohibitions of P.O. 007-2012.
Disposable plastic bags or plastic bags. It shall collectively refer to include all shapes, sizes, color and design of flexible containers and packaging materials made of thin plastic film ranging from 2 to 100 microns as to wraps such as those from frozen products, pouches which are often use for small items specially among sarisari or convenient stores and bags more commonly referred to as sando bags primarily used in groceries and supermarkets.
Plastics. It refers to natural and synthetic materials that are produced by chemically modifying natural substances or are synthesized from inorganic and organic raw materials. On the basis of their physical characteristics, plastics are usually divided into thermosets, elastomers and thermoplastics.
Plastic carryout bag. Any plastic bag that is provided to a customer at the point of sale (e.g., at the checkout register), excluding reusable bags, produce bags, or product bags, but including compostable and biodegradable bags, whether such bags are made predominantly of plastic derived from petroleum or biological based sources, such as corn or other plant sources.
Reusable bag. A bag with handles that is specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuses, is machine-washable, and, if made of plastic, is at least 2.25 mils thick.
Single-use carryout bag. Any non-reusable bag provided at the retail point-of-sale for carrying and transporting retail goods. It’s made of paper, plastic, or other material.
Single-use plastic carryout bag or single-use plastic bag. Same as plastic carryout bag, above. Used interchangeably.
Trash bag or Garbage bag. Any plastic bag specifically designed, packaged, and/or sold for purposes of household trash disposal. Conceptual Framework Figure 1 shows the research paradigm of the study. It contains general objective, specific objectives, methods, data to gathered, data analysis and interpretation, and summary and conclusion of the study. The general objective of the study is to determine the awareness and practices of freshmen students of College of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources on P.O 007-2012. It contains two specific objectives. First, to determine the level of awareness of freshmen students of College of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources and second is to identify the practices of freshmen students of College of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources to comply in P.O 007-2012. To obtain the general to specific objectives of the study, the methods that will be used are survey interviews and photo documentation. Using these methods, the data to be gathered are awareness of freshmen students on Provincial Ordinance 007-2012 and practices of freshmen students to comply in Provincial Ordinance 007-2012. It will be analyzed and presented using frequency count and tabular form.