Improper Solid Waste Management in Iligan City, Philippines

IMPROPER SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ILIGAN CITY By Krystel Hypa C. Magallanes

Political Analysis A6 Ms. Hazel Jovita Political Science Department MSU- Iligan Institute of Technology December 18, 2011

As part of a developing country, we are faced with common problems. Problems that affects and contributes to one another that results to even bigger dilemma. Besides the fact that our country has its difficulty and complications in regards to the field of political and economical, we also need to remember that these aspects are all futile if we wouldn’t regard the existing problem in our environment. One of these is the improper solid waste management in each of our respective towns. When we say improper there is not much of an accordance happening in the management of waste that meets the standards of the people, it does not promote a healthy way of living and an unacceptable thing, for it lacks modesty and decency. As the rate of population grows, there are more people settling in urban areas for opportunities, and accepting modernization, which also means that there is a greater increase in waste production. And by that climb, it tells us that we should consider more the problems in managing proper waste disposal. In various communities there are different concerns that pops out relating to the proper management of waste. As to how it should be run and perform appropriately without affecting any aspects in the environment. I. Disturbing concerns occurring In Iligan City, the growing issue about the improper solid waste management is becoming a threat to the social, environmental, and health security in the community. It obstructs the chance we have in building a well and better society. The ineffective waste collection and insufficient disposal facilities bothers concerned town folks. The gathering of solid wastes became ineffective when individuals in their homes won’t participate and segregate properly their trashes by means of that they easily blame the government for inefficiency when they themselves are not cooperating. The insufficient disposal

facilities in the city also add up in the platter because the government’s budget is not prioritized specifically in waste management. There is lack in disposal equipments, like hand gloves, shovels and masks that results workers to be so disorganized. Also, the people behind this are not all participating actively in the implementation of proper waste management programs, because the public doesn’t perform an ideal deed for they think other people are also not participating, which makes them think that it’s all right to do so. This ideology would lead to an ineffective behavior in everything the society does. We are equipped with the capability of doing something far greater than what we can imagine but the fact that we rely our choices upon others makes us vulnerable to alter decisions and thoughts that will sooner become actions. With this, we are not as much productive as we were hoping for. The public is also encouraged to separate biodegradables from nonbiodegradables but as a result these wastes are being mixed and dumped in the site. This scenario can be related to other places when talking about efforts put by concern citizens but later on ruined by tactless employees who throw garbage. As I’ve said a while ago, that the continuity of these actions would lead to the unproductive efforts of others. The upsetting concern this problem brings is that the improper disposal of wastes undermines the different aspects of the community near the dumpsite. Many complained about the presence of waste and how they are not properly dispose. Some are just left uncovered and scattered around the area that causes different illnesses among people near the site. In times of rain, flood strikes harshly among villagers, such disturbing occurrence takes place because of the waste-blocked canals that was

supposedly for water to flow. It affects the community in various ways and makes the government hold accountable on the issue. But we can’t put all the blame on the government, for the people are also held responsible. We cannot redirect the attention of the government easily to the solid waste problems for it is not the only environmental concern and certainly not the only problem existing. The government rather focuses on the economic stability and social improvement, when their environment is not in a good condition. How can you start a productive and well manage country when all your constituents are not satisfied and contented in what you’re all doing. II. Proposed Alternatives that eliminates the concerns A solution to all these complications should be applied in the art of immediate action. In the following answers that will be stated, kindly consider on taking a few of the reflections on how to deal with the problems, such easy steps when implemented could make a change. A conduction of symposiums and forums that orient the public to the discipline in throwing trash properly, and motivates them into thinking that the only way to have a better environment is to start with themselves. Making them convince as possible, and trust worthy in managing their own waste in their homes. Orienting them with the various ways of reduction and recycling wastes. Bringing them new knowledge and information that helps them take actions on the problem. Encourage them and help them strive harder for full cooperation. The purposes of these orientations is to explain to them the cause and effect of the dilemma, when they’re already aware of what’s happening, then it will be easier for them to grasp the chance on changing and taking a

course of action on their concerns. And their certain actions can affect a life changing adjustment. If you’re having a hard time on convincing them, then a threat for noncompliance would be useful to any rules made by the city council. By these ways we can really capture the full attention of the masses and use that as a weapon for big change in the community. Allow you and you’re body of governance to have an honest and just budget in this part of concern so that the full cooperation, good and efficient facilities are guaranteed for the sake of your ruled people. The argument about the dumping site affecting the community living near it cannot be prevented, for it will always affect them. There are certain measures of wastes that a certain location can accommodate, and when its capacity is reach, then will problems in the area will occur. The advisable thing to be done here is to change dumping site locations every three years or depending on the capacity of the area. In behalf of the said propositions, I would like to propose a policy that urge government working employees to obey certain rules, like recycling papers and other things, reducing their waste by means of minimizing the use of unnecessary materials. Encourage them to a discipline of proper segregation. Deploying them to a state wherein they can be considered as environmentalist or perhaps eco-friendly citizens. Making them effective citizens, not just working for the government but also for the environment. An ordinance to all people in the city would be useful, conditioning and requiring every household to have compost pits that they will fill with their waste. By that practice they will be exercise with the proper handling and managing of waste. They will have

sanctions as a threat so that obedience among them is assured. A violation of these rules will take offense and receive a punishment; first offense will just serve as a warning, second offense will have to be an over-night stay in prison if the guilty cannot present the amount of fines required for the violation. In order to have a clear monitor on the mandatory, people are also permitted and encouraged to report their neighbor’s compliance to the authority and will be given a recompense that worths P1000.00. This does not end here. Whoever is caught throwing trash anywhere will be grounded in prison for one day, for disobeying the ground rules set in the city. All people should be discipline and regulated to these way of living in the near future so that they will adapt and get used to it and someday treat it as a part of their ordinary habit as if it wasn’t a rule to follow in the first place. The government should also employ and hire responsible workers that are welloriented and reliable in handling and managing the waste. Appoint accountable and dependable people in charge of segregating the wastes. Decide wisely on steps to take that will surely promote and secure the social, environmental and health security of your city. Encouraged the private sector to participate in the management of solid waste through appropriate incentives that motivates them the usage of environment-friendly materials, re-use and preserve raw materials and cultivate them proper waste managing practices. III. Recommendation I would like to recommend all possible alternatives to be given a thought in taking the course of action in managing properly the solid wastes. It would help sustain the

thoughtful concern of attentive people like me who is thirsty for attention in the implementation of rules. These solutions will contribute mainly and will prove effective if implemented by the city council. This is a step to take to manage the proper disposal of wastes. I reckon that you yourself have generated different possible solutions and alternatives in the problems. If having a high-tech machine came to your mind for consideration, I doubt that it well be effective, for not only will it affect the jobs of other people but it will cause a huge amount of money which our national government doesn’t support mainly. According to UNEP-IETC in 1996, there is often a shortage of capital and human resource to manage the waste; and there is a lack of physical infrastructure in urban areas to make the waste collection more efficient, and therefore the situation calls for “low-tech” solutions. As you may have notice, some of my proposed solutions are already introduce to you by the RA 9003 or also known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000”. As systematic and comprehensive the act may be to our country, the implementation of it, is its flaw. The application of people and the state itself is limited and not well implemented due to many reasons. One of these is the archipelagic nature we have in our area that hampers the National Government to regulate the different sectors in our country. This leads and puts the responsibility on the Local Government Units to manage their area. It is up to them on how they manage an effective implementation. The

thought

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LGU’s are

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accomplishment of the given assignment would ease the tension on the problem, but it didn’t. There are minor changes and improvement but still no greater progress. What causes this is the discord participation in the different sectors.

Also, one of the reasons why it wasn’t effective is because of the people not cooperating in achieving one common goal. They think worldly and acquisitively, putting less care in the environment. “Waste management is not just a government’s responsibility. It should also be done by every individual. Since garbage starts from one’s home, waste management should start from it as well”(D. Perez, 2011). The citizens shall also partake in the responsibility of achieving order and cleanliness but it is the government that shall bear the bigger responsibility in maintaining the cleanliness by implementing rules and programs. The intentions of these rules are for the good and benefit of the people but it merely accomplish success for they failed to get the participation and cooperation of the community and other private sectors. My reason and motive for proposing solutions is to strengthen the implementation and be stricter on the application of rules, so that in the near future our city will be an organized piece. By implementing these rules it will surely eradicate and diminish the existing problem, putting it hard and strict as possible, applying force and coercive strategy will trance people to the discipline. And when they are already used to this kind of living then they wouldn’t know the difference and will treat it normally as if it wasn’t a rule in the first place. By considering my proposal and recommendation, you are well assured that your city is in good hands and the existing problem about the improper waste management will be minimize until it will someday be absent.

IMPROPER WASTE MANAGEMENT I. The improper waste management in Iligan City is becoming a threat to the social, environmental and health security in the community. A.) Ineffective waste collection and insufficient disposal facilities is becoming a big hindrance to he city. B.) The public is encouraged to separate biodegradable from non-biodegradable but as a result these wastes are being mixed and dumped in the site. C.) The improper disposal of wastes undermines the different aspects of the community near the dumpsite. D.) The attention of the government cannot be easily redirected to the solid waste problems for it is not the only environmental problem existing. II. Citing different possible solutions to the predicament. A.) Conducting symposiums and forums that orient the public to the discipline in throwing trash properly, and motivates them into thinking that the only way to have a better environment is to start with themselves. B.) Proposing that one of the most preferable and effective alternatives is to adopt a policy or ordinance in the city. i. A policy that urge government employees to obey certain rules, like; recycle paper and other materials, encourage them to a discipline that ii.

separates biodegradable from non-biodegradable. Having an ordinance that requires every household to have compost

iii.

pits. Encourage and motivate every people to participate in telling the

authorities whoever violates the ordinance by giving recompense. iv. Giving sanctions to those violators against the proposed policy. C.) Employ and hire responsible workers that are well oriented and reliable in in handling and managing the wastes. III. The recommendation of this paper is that all alternatives and possible solutions be applied to the community for it brings immediate action on the problem and it

will surely increase the satisfaction of the many. The City Council should shift their attention to the existing phenomena. IV. References

V. References Perez D., Waste Management Problems of the Philippines. 2011. http://www.spectrumbluesteel.com/blog/2011/07/01/wastemanagemen t-problems-philippines/

Caturao, Romeo D., Waste Management: Practical application of the new ethical concepts of Eco-Ethics International Union. (Ppt.)

Senate and House of Representatives, Republic Act No. 9003; “Ecological Solis Waste Management Act of 2000”. (PDF)

City Ordinance No. 09-5488; “Solid Waste Management Code of Iligan City”. 2011.