REVISITING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT 9003 OR

THE ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF

2000: A COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DAVAO CITY

Saidamin P. Bagolong
Cotabato City State Polytechnic College
saidaminpbagolong@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The implementation of Republic Act 9003 or known as the “Ecological

Solid Waste Management Act of 2000" highlights the proper way of
segregating waste disposal and assigns who shall be in charge in the
implementation. This study aimed to revisit the implementation of Republic
Act 9003 by determining the level of community participation in Davao City.
Descriptive-survey method was utilized to 100 selected respondents from
10 largest barangays in Davao City employing mean as statistical
treatment. Findings showed that the level of community participation in
terms of penalties, and seminars and programs were high but on materials
and facilities, and incentives were moderate. In spite of high participation,
community respondents still needs to be educated because some of the
penalties imposed were not properly explained to them. Thus, a massive
information education campaign is necessary to both the community and
the barangay leaders along with other strategies.

Keywords: Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Republic Act

9003, Public Administration, Descriptive-Survey Method, Davao City,
Philippines

INTRODUCTION

All individuals generate wastes and become a contributor to this

problem. Yet, almost all the time, the wastes at which individuals have

produced is hardly manage and its volume is greater than the volume

which are responsibly handled (Mukisa, 2009).

Similarly, many significant environmental problems are longitudinal

collective action such as pollution, fisheries depletion, human population

growth, deforestation, and ozone layer degradation, exhibit these features

as well (Sandler, 2010). These environmental problems are generally

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2800543

complex and blind to disciplinary boundaries. Efforts to devise long-term

solutions require collaborative research that integrates knowledge across

historically disparate fields, yet the traditional model for training new

scientists emphasizes personal independence and disciplinary focus

(Moslemi, et. al., 2009).

In the global context, waste management is one of the costliest

public services. Conventional responses to collection, transportation,

treatment, and disposal of waste in an environmental friendly way became

a burden due to the rapid increase in waste generation levels as a result of

urbanization and economic growth (Memon, 2010). This management of

waste is also a dilemma like in Surat, India, where disease outbreak and

many incidents that caused threat to public health is rampant because of

improper segregation of waste (Shalini and Kurian, 2012).

In other developing countries, Philippines has been carrying the

problem on waste management for years. Prior and after the creation and

implementation of the Republic Act 9003 or known as the Ecological Solid

Waste Management Act of 2000, waste management has always been the

problem. This Act takes a holistic approach in dealing with a problem and

it acknowledges the important participation of all sectors for its effective

implementation (Atienza, 2010).

Moreover, solid waste disposal practices in the Philippines involved

mainly of open dumping. In fact, in Davao City, open dumping occurred in

a steep ravine along a major access route. As stipulated in Republic Act

9003, the need to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid

waste management programs shall ensure proper segregation, collection,

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2800543

transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the

formulation and adoption of the best environmental practices in ecological

waste management excluding incineration. Those wastes must be

deposited in sanitary landfill to ensure protection of public health and

environment (Official Gazette, 2001).

Furthermore, the Local Government Units shall be primarily

responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of

this Act within their respective jurisdictions (Official Gazette, 1991).

Section 10 of R.A. 9003 clearly states that segregation and collection of

solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level specifically for

biodegradable, compostable and reusable wastes, and Material Recovery

Facilities (MRFs) must be established in every barangay or cluster of

barangays (Section 1 of Rule XI of the IRR 9003), provided, that the

collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the

responsibility of the municipality or city.

It is in this context that the researcher is motivated to revisit the

implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste

Management Act of 2000 by determining the level of community

participation in Davao City.

THEORETICAL LENS

This study is based on theory of political participation which focused

on political change that molds the stability of a political system where

modernization is the opening of political participation. According to this

theory, as modernization continues, societies will be more likely hard to

handle and become chaotic. If the system of social modernization that

caused chaos is not intertwined with the system of political and institutional

modernization; the result would be violence (Huntington, 1968).

Furthermore, the Republic Act (R.A. 9003) or also known as the

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 has mandated both the

government and the non-government organizations to be responsible for

the information dissemination campaign and implementation of this act. In

particular, Chapter II section X of the R.A. No. 9003 mandated the role of

Local Government Units in Solid Waste Management, “pursuant to the

relevant provisions of R.A. 7160, otherwise known as the Local

Government Code, the LGUs shall be primarily responsible for the

implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act within their

respective jurisdictions”.

Hence, the role of the Local Government Units specifically the

barangays shall be seen as vital in cooperation with the other

agencies/sectors as they constrain the action of the people.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to revisit the implementation of

Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

by determining the level of community participation in terms of Solid Waste

Management, Materials and Utilities, Penalties, Seminars and Programs,

and Benefits/Incentives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study utilized the descriptive-survey method as part of

quantitative research. Survey method is where participants answer

questions administered through interviews or questionnaires. After

participants answer the questions, researchers describe the responses

given. In order for the survey to be both reliable and valid, it is important

that the questions are constructed properly (Jackson, 2014). A total of 100

selected respondents from Barangays Lubogan, Mintal, Dumoy, Sasa,

Lapu-Lapu, Hizon, Centro, Indangan, 9-A, and 37-D were chosen to

answer the survey questionnaire. For valid reliable interpretation of data,

statistical treatment using mean was used to measure the level of

community participation on the implementation of R.A. 9003 .

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This section presents the data gathered, analyzed and interpreted

based on the statistical result to measure the level of community

participation on the implementation of R.A. 9003 in Davao City in terms of

solid waste management, materials and utilities, penalties, seminars and

programs, and benefits/incentives.

Level of Community Participation on the Implementation of

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 or the
Republic Act 9003 in Davao City

Presented in Table 1 is the level of community participation on the

implementation of R.A 9003 in Davao City which is measured based on

five (5) identified indicators namely solid waste management, materials

and utilities, penalties, seminars and programs and incentives.

Based on the results, a grand mean score of 3.58 or high,

indicates that the implementation was carried-out well and above the

minimum requirement but not the maximum level of the implementation.

Also, it manifested that the implementation of R.A. 9003 was well-

addressed according to the respondents but not always or regularly done.

Table 1. Level of Community Participation on the implementation of R.A.
9003
STATEMENT MEAN DESCRIPTION
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT 3.8 HIGH
1. Budget is enough for the implementation of Solid Waste 3.7 High
Management.
2. The Barangay creates committee which will be 4.2 High
responsible for the implementation of Solid Waste
Management.
3. Designates Solid Waste enforcers at the collection area 3.83 High
to monitor the proper disposal of wastes.
4. Strictly impose “No segregation, No collection” policy. 3.45 Moderate

5. The CENRO monitors the participation of the Barangay 3.82 High

in the implementation of Solid Waste Management.
MATERIALS AND UTILITIES 3.4 MODERATE
6. Solid Waste enforcers inspected the garbage bins 3.78 High
during duty time.
7. Solid Waste enforcers segregate the unsegregated 3.37 Moderate
wastes in the garbage bins.
8. Garbage bins are enough for the garbage. 3.18 Moderate
9. There is a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the 3.4 Moderate
Barangay.
10. The Material Recovery Facility stores waste in an ecological 3.45 Moderate
manner.
PENALTIES 3.7 HIGH
11. The Barangay set penalties to the violators of Solid Waste 3.57 High
Management.
12.Orients the community about the nature of the penalties. 3.69 High
13. Penalties for the violators were done in a procedural 3.57 High
manner.
14. Charges penalties in a reasonable manner. 3.5 High
15. The imposed penalty restraints people from violating the 3.96 High
Solid Waste Management Act.
SEMINARS AND PROGRAMS 3.6 HIGH
16. The Barangay conduct seminars to educate the people 3.85 High
about Solid Waste Management.
17. Conduct seminars to lessen the load of the garbage. 3.73 High
18. Create programs for women. 3.53 High
19. Create programs for the youth. 3.34 Moderate
20.The community knows and participates with the programs 3.74 High
and seminars conducted by the Barangay.
INCENTIVES 3.4 MODERATE
21. The awarding of incentives was based on the plans and 3.77 High
programs of the Barangay.
22. Incentives are hard to get. 3.25 Moderate
23. Our Barangay receives an incentive. 2.96 Moderate
24. Incentives received are used to improve the implementation 3.28 Moderate
of Solid Waste Management.
25. Incentive motivates the Barangay to perform better. 3.71 High
GRAND MEAN 3.58 HIGH
Thus, the barangays in Davao City gave high regard to the implementation

of the R.A. 9003.

As observed, in terms of solid waste management, four (4) items

got a high descriptive equivalent which indicates that each barangay has

created a committee which will be responsible for the implementation of

the solid waste management with a mean score of 4.2 or high. However,

on the implementation of the “No segregation, No collection policy,”

barangays moderately imposed this policy with a mean score of 3.45.

Thus, the local government units are tasked to be the implementer and

enforcer of whatever rules, but it is observed that they do not completely

conform to the rules and regulations on solid waste management and that

the facilities are insufficient.

All authorities should act towards betterment of the implementation

of this Act since it is their responsibility. There must be well-crafted

strategies to be made that would strengthen and enhance the system and

eventually help lessen the load of waste (Pathak, at. al., 2012). Similarly,

for Local Government Units that lack political determination, a genuine

responsibility and courage to manage waste; its operational platform,

development, and sustainability are in jeopardy which will surely result to

undesirable impact on the environment (Magante and Almase, 2013).

In terms of materials and utilities, results showed that solid waste

enforcers inspected the garbage bins during duty time with a mean score

of 3.78 or high, which implies that the barangays act and monitor the solid

waste enforcers in the implementation of this Act wastes and properly

inspected the garbage bins as a way of complying with the guidelines of

R.A. 9003. However, the garbage bins were moderately enough to

accommodate garbage waste with a mean score of 3.18. Thus, the Local

Government Units must be provided by the national government with

technical assistance they need to develop their solid waste management

programs, and monetary assistance for the establishment of their Material

Recovery Facilities, build sanitary landfills, enough garbage bins and other

environmental technologies that would help in addressing environmental

problems (Antonio, 2009).

In terms of penalties, all items got the descriptive equivalent of high

which indicates that the penalties were properly imposed. The imposition

of penalty will restraint people from violating the Solid Waste Management

Act. Violators of R.A. 9003 will make people more responsible for their

acts and thus, it will restrict them on doing things that will cause violation

with a mean score of 3.96 or high. Moreover, charges for the penalties

imposed for the violators were just enough with a mean score of 3.5 or

high, which would mean that both the person in authority and the

community participated well on the implementation of the law. However,

despite its good implementation, the people were becoming hard-headed,

hence, to discipline them, increase of fines and penalties for

noncompliance should be obliged by the National Solid Waste

Management Commission (NSWMC) to the local government unit to better

implement the law as clearly stipulated in this Act. In this law, various list

of unwanted acts were listed, namely: (1) throwing of wastes everywhere;

(2) actions pertaining to the violation of cleanliness (3) burning of wastes in

an open field, etc. (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000)

(Teves, 2014).

In terms of seminars and programs, most indicators got a

descriptive equivalent of high. The barangays conduct seminars to

educate the people about Solid Waste Management with a mean score of

3.85 or high, which implies that the barangays have informed its residents

on how they should act in accordance with the law. However, the

barangays have not informed the youth about their important role in the

implementation of the law because of lack of programs created for them

with a mean score of 3.34 or moderate. Hence, as stipulated in the R.A.

9003, apart from the role and responsibility of the local government to

inform the people, it is also the duty of the non-government organizations

and the civil society to take part. Information and education of the people

is an immediate response as this task is also delegated to civil society and

NGOs. Also, solid waste management is integrated in the curricula to

enhance awareness and promote the right attitudes of the youth. As

opined by Randy (2009), that well-informed and educated people will

immediately respond to this call.

Lastly, in terms of incentives, most of the items were rated as

moderately implemented. In spite of this, still, the barangays highly

implement the awarding of incentives based on their plans and programs

with a mean score of 3.77, which implies that the respondents perceived

that an incentive will be given to the barangay only if the barangay is

worthy of emulation. However, despite the award to be received by the

barangays, few of them have moderately received an incentive with a

mean score of 2.96, which implies that the respondents observed that

there were only few barangays received an incentive. Although essential

on motivating the people and the barangays, the respondents barely feel

that it has to be properly observed. Thus, the act (R.A. 9003) gives

emphasis to the need of having incentives in order to pursue an effective

management of waste and encourage the community and the local

government units to participate (Ong, 2009) and that giving incentives to

people who actively participate with the plans and programs by the

government will do, because an incentive motivates people to participate

and do their tasks not only for providing recycle services but also in all

aspects that would help iron out problems pertaining to waste

management (Halvorsen, 2010).

Over-all mean showed that the level of community participation on

the implementation of the R.A. 9003 or also known as the Ecological Solid

Waste Management Act of 2000 in Davao City is high, but as observed,

there are still guidelines on the law which are not totally participated. In

fact, materials and utilities and incentives got the descriptive equivalent of

moderate which means that there are loopholes and lapses that should be

addressed and given attention by the local government unit as the main

implementer of the law.

CONCLUSIONS

Upon analysis of the data gathered, the researcher concludes that

communities in Davao City highly participate on the implementation of R.A.

9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. However, in

spite of high participation, community respondents still needs to be

educated because some of the penalties imposed were not properly

explained to them. Thus, a massive information education campaign is

necessary both the community and the barangay leaders along with other

strategies.

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