V. Solutions Towards an Effective Solid Waste Management in the Philippines

Solid waste management is a must because first & foremost, it is mandated by law. The law in the form of RA 90031 specifies an effective solid waste management to protect the public health from the spread and/or outbreaks of infectious diseases resulting from unattended solid wastes. Deriquito (2006)7, in describing Makati’s successful waste management, posits that “solid waste management is a responsibility of the society.”

Success in having an effective solid waste management can be attributed to a lot of factors: the strength of implementation of national mandates & local ordinances, the compliance of the people to the said mandates, and the supporting programs and/or offices which ensure the sustainability of the project.

The Urban Waste Expertise Programme (UWEP, 2002)8 conducted a case-study regarding the community participation in urban solid waste management in 2 different barangays, and ascribes much of the success in these areas to the “committed leadership and the support of the community members and other sectors.” They believe that “knowledge, attitude, behavior of the community members have to change before desired results are realized.” Truly, without the individual’s commitment to the project, all other variables would crumble. Although external assistances are very supportive, any project won’t be successful unless a “one-way top-down approach to community development” is employed. Agencies cannot just impose concepts and programs in the community. What is imperative is that community participation be encouraged at all times. Community members must realize their important role, task, and responsibility in carrying out an environmentally-safe solid waste management.

Various community management approaches (CMAs) may be utilized to encourage compliance to the solid waste management program. According the experience of UWEP (2002)8, CMAs may take many forms at different levels of the society.

… The CMAs can be formal. They are manifested in the promulgation of city or barangay ordinances and LGU sponsored activities. Ordinances, of course. In conjunction with the ordinances, the barangay leaders and officials conduct regular monitoring activities to ascertain compliance among the members of the community. On the formal level, the barangay tanods and the zone leaders, as employed by the local government, make the rounds of inspecting the streets and surroundings of the community. They have the legal basis and are on the front line of implementation of the SWM rules and regulations. As a feedback mechanism, they also receive and entertain complaints. This is one good CMA wherein residents feel they are heard and their complaints acted upon as quickly as possible…
… Another distinct kind of formal CMA takes the form of awards. External institutions, government and private alike, give formal recognitions…
… The school and the church are other venues where formal CMAs are manifested. Educational and religious institutions have a lot of influence over the mental makeup of the youth in terms of values and knowledge learned. In Pitogo, the school incorporates SWM matters in four courses offered. The school also conducts specific activities as part of cleanliness campaign promulgated by the city government of Makati. The parish church promotes collection and sale of recyclable waste to raise funds for the renovation of their chapel. The lay leaders, as concrete form of community participation, spearheaded the project… CMAs may also be informal which requires no legal of formal institutional basis. Informal CMAs are aimed towards increasing the level of compliance and/or participation of the individuals composing the community. Activities such as parades, slogan contests are informal CMAs which promotes public awareness and knowledge as a “prelude to change in behavior” (UWEP, 2002)8. Social pressure is also a form of an informal type of CMA, which may be in the form of subtle comments, gentle persuasion, or even threats of community service.

The role of the individuals in the barangays should always be emphasized. The primary factor in any undertaking such as the move for an effective solid waste management is the very individuals composing the communities or barangays. Individual practices, attitudes, and behavior have a great bearing on the promotion and observance of proper waste segregation, collection & disposal. Individuals who value health and sanitation are motivated to manage their wastes properly. Legal mandates and ordinances can only go as far as outlining what is the proper way of managing wastes, and limiting untoward practices. However, sustainable success in the implementation can only be possible if the individuals in the community firmly believe in the value of proper solid waste management.

A mandate has already been promulgated. The success of such mandate is vital. The question left is how to make such mandate a success, and if successful, sustain the practice. The answer lies not on the government alone, but more importantly, on the very persons that constitute the community. Individuals – government officials, barangay officials, garbage collectors, and civil citizens, alike – have the responsibility to manage their own waste properly. The change must come from the people, starting from their own households. Let each individual serve as an example to others and create a chain of events that would hopefully lead to a rubbish-free city.