Solid waste management not followed

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An environmental group said the implementation of the Republic Act 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, was a total failure in many parts of the country.

The Makakalikasan - Nature Party Philippines - citing a recent report from the Commission on Audit (COA) which claimed that the solid waste management goals had been missed - is a clear indication of the lack of political will and commitment to address the solid waste problem in the country.

The group said the root causes of the solid waste problem are the lack of awareness, education, and participation of the community, as well as the weak enforcement of the law.

“The failure of the implementation of R.A. 9003 is evident in the national and local levels,” it said.

In 2002, R.A. 9003 required every community to implement segregated collection and to encourage recycling and composting, yet few of the 1,810 communities in the country have complied, according to the Makakalikasan - Nature Party Philippines. “The lack of community awareness and participation is a significant factor in the failure of the implementation of the law,” it said.

It said the COA report revealed that only 30% of the local governments have complied with the law's requirement to establish Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) which is essential in the segregation and proper disposal of solid waste.

The group called for stricter implementation of the most crucial aspects of the problem of solid waste management, saying, the national government must prioritize the establishment of MRFs in all local governments and ensure the communities are aware and educated about the importance of proper waste management.

“The lack of awareness, education, and participation of the community must be addressed through information campaigns and education programs. The weak enforcement of the law must also be addressed by imposing stricter penalties for non-compliance,” it said and urged the government to take immediate action to address the solid waste problem in the country.

In Zamboanga City, the local government also failed terribly in imposing the law. Many garbage collectors employed by the local government are themselves violators of the solid waste management law. They tear trash bags and get whatever they can sell - from plastics to metals - instead of performing their duties diligently, and this practice has been going on for many years now because the local government and village chieftains tolerate them. (Mindanao Examiner)