DENR A.O.
2001-34
Summary
Sarmiento, Aaron Paul M.
CIV-P212
ESENVI130
Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the "Philippine Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act of 2000," addresses solid waste issues in the
country. Enacted on January 26, 2001, with implementing rules published
on December 20, 2001, it aims to establish a systematic and ecological
solid waste management program for public health and environmental
protection. The law encourages private sector participation in waste
management and prohibits incineration. The Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) sets regulations and penalties, with priority
activities including closing dumpsites and establishing material recovery
facilities (MRFs).
The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) oversees
plan implementation and formulates policies. National and Regional
Ecology Centers support Local Government Units (LGUs) with technical
expertise, information, training, and networking. Licenses for Solid Waste
Management facilities are obtained from the DENR. Barangays handle
waste segregation and collection of biodegradable, compostable, and
recyclable wastes, while cities or municipalities manage non-recyclable
materials and special wastes.
Guidelines or the minimum requirements for different areas are the
following. For the segregation and volume reduction of solid waste,
segregation must be done from the source, the trashes should be identified
as “non-recyclable”,” recyclable”, “compostable”, or “solid waste”.
Moreover, for commercial, institutional, and industrial establishments and
as well as premises of 6 or more residential units, the owner or person-in-
charge is responsible to lead and follow the guidelines set by the LGU’s in
their vicinity and they are to inform the occupants for the requirements and
that scavenging is not allowed.
For the collection, transport, and handling of solid wastes, Firstly, the
job must be done safely thus the collectors should have PPE (masks,
gloves, and boots) to protect them from hazards and they must be trained
properly to avoid any mishaps and as well as learn how it should be done
without damaging the containers and also spilling wastes while collecting.
Equipment must be maintained in good condition and clean for the health
of the personnel and the public. Lastly, there must be different schedules
for different types of wastes and that there should be separate vehicles for
every type of waste otherwise one should have different containers to store
and keep wastes sorted out. Waste compartments shall have a cover to
ensure no waste spillage while in transit. The vehicles to be used shall
have the body number, name, and telephone number of the
agency/contractor collecting solid waste.
Moving on to establishing and operating transfer stations, wastes shall
not come into contact with water in the facilities to avoid any contamination
and prevent any spread of it. Provisions must be provided for vector, odor,
litter, and dust control. The site for transfer station must be thought through
from land use plan, proximity of collection area, and the accessibility of the
routes to disposal facility.
MRF’s or Materials Recovery Facility, every barangay should have their
own MRF and this MRF should receive biodegradable waste for
composting and mixed non-biodegradable wastes for final segregation, re-
use, and recycling. The residuals would have to be transferred to a storage
or disposal facilities or sanitary landfill.
Operating Composting Facilities should be located in a place where it is
not flooding frequently but if it is, it should have engineering controls
provided to prevent inundation of the facility. Any materials in the facility
should not also come in contact with surface storm run-off to prevent any
leachate of other bodies of water, also excess leachate storages should not
throw any discharge into any body of water unless it meets the limits
prescribed by the DENR standards for effluents. Vector, odor, litter, and
dust control should have provisions and temperatures of the composts
should be in safe levels to prevent any fires. Other than temperature, the
wind conditions should be maintained also to prevent the creation of
dangerous gases. Records keeping should be maintained all the time.
Eco-labelling should abide the coding system for packaging materials and
products based on ISO standard 14024 and the eco-label should have a
simple information that is scientifically accurate and not deceptive for the
consumers to have their own informed choices. Non-environmentally
acceptable products are plastic soft drink straws and coffee stirrers
according to the NSWMC Resolution No. 1428. Lastly, for the Reclamation
Programs and Buy-back Centers drop-offs or collection systems
locations should separate the recyclable materials and toxic components to
avoid any fire or to be disposed in landfill.
In the operation of controlled dumpsites, strict guidelines are in place to
ensure environmental responsibility. Open dumpsites are prohibited, and a
daily cover of at least 6 inches of inert materials or soil is required.
Measures for drainage and runoff control are implemented to prevent
stormwater from contacting waste, with erosion protection in place. Odor
control through aerobic and anaerobic decomposition is mandated.
Working areas are limited, maintaining a ratio of 1.5 sqm or less per
ton/day of waste. Security measures include fencing to prevent illegal entry
and provisions for litter control. Comprehensive record-keeping covers
waste volume, incidents, and daily inspections. All-weather access roads
must be maintained, and controlled waste picking and trading may be
allowed. Closure involves a 0.60 m final soil cover, with post-closure
maintenance for ten years. Site location considerations include avoiding
floodplains, ensuring hydro-geological suitability, and providing engineering
controls as needed.
Sanitary landfills must adhere to comprehensive guidelines for location,
construction, and operation. The facility's location should align with the
local land use plan, ensuring accessibility. Adequate earth cover material,
easily handled and compacted, is essential. Proximity to airports and public
water supply intakes must be considered, and a safe distance from faults is
required. Preservation of archaeological resources and protection of
endangered species habitats are mandated. Landfills in sensitive areas
need a base liner system, and leachate control systems are specified. The
site should not impact sensitive resources, and earthquake-resistant design
is crucial. Adequate separation from groundwater, drainage impoundments,
and long-term waste accommodation are emphasized. Gas control
systems, groundwater monitoring, and closure procedures within one year
of cessation are mandatory. Post-closure care extends for fifteen years,
with certified engineering documentation. Records, safety measures, and
communication facilities are outlined, ensuring responsible landfill
management.
Solid waste management is funded by the donations, grants, and
contributions such as fines and fees that are collected, and the amounts
from General Appropriations Act. There are national and local funds for
SWM and LGU’s are responsible to be the ones leading the SWM. These
LGU’s are also rewarded to encourage them to keep on doing the SWM.
There are also fines and penalties for different kinds of crime actions with
regards to solid wastes. Below are the different acts with their different
fines and penalties.
Littering in public places, undertaking activities against sanitation
rules, or burning of solid wastes:
Fine of 300 to 1000 PHP or community service (1 to 15 days)
Nonsegregated or unsorted waste collection, Squatting in open
dumps and landfills, Open dumping in flood-prone areas, or
Unauthorized removal of recyclable material:
Fine of 1000 to 3000 PHP or imprisonment of 15 days to 6 months.
Mixing recyclable material with other waste during collection,
Establishment or operation of open dumps, Manufacture, distribution,
or use of non-environmentally acceptable packaging materials, or
Importation of consumer products packaged in non-environmentally
acceptable materials:
Fine of 500,000 PHP plus 5-10% of the violator’s net annual income from
the previous year or an imprisonment of 1 to 3 years
Importation of toxic wastes misrepresented as recyclable, Transport
and dumping in bulk of collected wastes in unauthorized areas:
Fine of 10,000 to 200,000 PHP or imprisonment of 30 days to 3 years.
Site preparation, construction, expansion, or operation of waste
management facilities without Environmental Compliance Certificate
or against land use plan, Construction of any establishment within
200 meters from open dump, controlled dump, or sanitary landfills, or
Construction or operation of landfills or waste disposal facility on
aquifer, groundwater reservoir, or watershed area:
Fine of 100,000 PHP to 1, 000, 000 or imprisonment of 1 year to 6 years.
Note that the fines and penalties can be served both to the violator and that
some violations do not have specific penalties with additional penalties for
repeated offenses.
Survey
of Solid Waste
Management in
Barangay Lapnit
Location:
Lapnit, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines
Interiewee Name:
Enrico Imperio
Questions and Answers
1. What are the sources of solid wastes in your municipality/barangay?
- Mga kabahayan. Households.
2. What kind of establishment produces the largest scale of solid
wastes?
- Wala tayong establishments, puro households lang talaga.
3. What are the laws and ordinances implemented in your area in
connection to its solid wastes management?
- No Segregation No Collection Policy.
4. Are these laws strictly practiced by the community?
- No. Hindi nasusunod kase makukulit.
5. What are the penalties or consequences given to those who do not
abide with the said laws?
- Wala, kaya hindi nasusunod kase wala naman ini implement na
kaparusahan. Kung meron yan, naku!
6. How does the environmental department of your area manage the
solid wastes collected from the community? Do they practice
recycling?
- Sa solid waste management nga, ano, hindi masyado napa
practice pero meron kaya lang, konti. Sa may recycling, meron din
kaya lang konti lang din ang sumusunod.
7. How often do garbage trucks collect wastes in your community?
Schedule?
- Once a week, every Thursday.
8. What are the methods used by the city/municipality/barangay to keep
the community, as much as possible, an environmental-friendly
community?
- Mayroon weekly clean up drive tapos ung segregation ni Konsehal
Joji, sakanya yun eh kaya nga lang konti lang yung sumusunod.
9. How does these solid wastes are being disposed? Where?
- Wala tayo MRF ditto sa barangay kaya puro collection na lang.
Nawala ung MRF dun eh.
10. What are the city/municipality/barangay ‘s future plans about
solid waste management?
- Itutuloy na siguro ung MRF. Kase ang problema natin ay hindi pa
tayo nakakapag procure ng land para sa pagtatayuan ng bagong
MRF. Meron dati kaya lang, private yung lupa na natayuan.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Barangay Lapnit is not practicing good solid waste management. They
do not exercise segregation and as well as proper law enforcement as
they do not have any punishments to people not obeying the law.
Aside from not having any punishments, they still tolerate the
community to not care about management of solid wastes as they still
collect SW even it is not managed properly. One more thing is that
they do not have any facilities related to SWM such as MRF, what
they only do is collect SW. This shows that the barangay does not
have any strong example that shows how solid waste management
should be done and that everyone should practice it. Recycling is also
a beneficial thing as we can make new things that the barangay would
need and may be achieved through recycling rather than buying a new
one. One good thing that they are doing is that they are hosting a
weekly cleanup drive where pollution can be mitigated at least.
My recommendation would be set out an example to the constituents
on how solid wastes management should be done that they can copy
and make it a habit to do every time and eventually it will be a
successful one. The officials of the barangay can be the example that
the people need to look up to, they also should be the one leading as
they are the trusted members of the community and that they should
do everything as the leaders, they must motivate the people to help
and clean the environment. They also need to build MRF to be able to
recycle as it can reduce the solid wastes in the environment.
