Photo Courtesy of Remate

I. Problem/Social Issue

            Health issues such as lung disease, heart problem, skin irritation, and abnormality due to the trashes' unpleasant odor and bacteria it contain, soil contamination resulting from the mounded uncollected garbage leading to softness of the ground and smelly soil vapor, and climate change due to the green house gases released in the atmosphere by unattained and combined rubbish that may trap heat and cause global warming leading to abnormality of weather pattern are just some of the effects of improper waste disposal and management. Waste management refers to the collection, transportation, disposal or recycling of waste produced from human activity. Waste management and disposal has been a major issue of different countries all around the world, and our own nation, Philippines is not an exception. Despite the strong environmental activism of the Filipinos, Philippines is still suffering from problem regarding wastes. A major issue that if not solved and given attention, will not just affect our entire nation, but the entire world as well.

            The government is not blinded by the issue, in fact the RA 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Act of 2001 was enacted, an act encouraging the country to be responsible with the trashes produced by its citizens, and an act appointing different environmental department and local government units (LGUs) to implement the mentioned law. Yet, despite 18 years of its enactment LGUs are still struggling to implement the act and Office of the Ombudsman in December 2016 planned to file complaints against 100 LGUs for non-compliance of the law.

            Thus, LGUs are also responsible for improper waste management and disposal in our country. If continued, communities and the country as a whole might suffer with the negative effects brought by the issue.

 

II. Introduction/Background

Caloocan City is one of the biggest producers of waste in the country; therefore we suggest a program that concerns the collection process for it is the first step that leads to other processes. It needs to be polished for other processes to be done effectively too.

The program includes the “no segregation, no collection policy,” the proper schedule of garbage collection, as well as seminars to inform the community about the importance of waste management for the residents of the city to be disciplined. “No segregation, no collection policy” urges the people to take action and segregate their trash in their households and the proper scheduling of garbage collection promotes a more organized system.

Segregation of waste is important in protecting the environment from pollution and protecting the public health. Effective segregation results to easier recycling, less wastes in landfills, and prevention of health problems caused by hazardous wastes. Segregated waste is also cheaper and efficient for it does not require much manual and mechanical sorting.

Other cities such as Quezon City, Palawan, Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Iligan, Naga, Cebu, Dumaguete, Baguio, Tuguegarao, Davao, etc. are already adhering to said policy. With numerous cities complying, we suggest that Caloocan City to do as well. The Local Government plays a huge role for this project to be effective. Their responsibilities include conducting information campaign for its implementation, enforcing strict implementation, and consistent monitoring.

 

III. Objectives

Upon knowing the improper solid waste management as well as the garbage collection schedule in the City of Caloocan, this paper is made aiming for the following:

• To have a proper waste disposal in the City of Caloocan in a way of segregating the biodegradable, non biodegradable and recyclable waste, adhering to the law; 

• To have a fix schedule of collecting garbage regularly;

• To have a program something likely to the 'No segregation, no collection' of Davao City; and 

• To spread the awareness and importance of disposing waste properly. 

 

IV. Methodology

For the fulfillment of this paper, a website will be created promoting the awareness and importance of proper waste disposal. On the other hand, information that will affirm to the disobedience of Caloocan City to the Republic Act 9003 or an act also known as Ecological Solid Waste Act of 2001, will be taken from the residents within the said City. And in case of affirmation, a petition will be conducted through the same website. 

 

V. Other Relevant Information

            To conduct a petition to promote social change, we, the students, shared our observations regarding the environmental crisis that each of our community is encountering. Throughout the discussion the students who reside at Caloocan City shared their observations regarding the waste management of their area with complaints about the city not having proper and definite waste collection, the city, in addition does not encourage their residents to segregate their garbage.

            To confirm mentioned observations, Gerry Quiñones, father of one of us, the students went into the Barangay Hall of their community and asked about the management of waste in their place. The government unit revealed that there area does not apply management and proper disposal of waste.