Trash Everywhere: Indecorous

Garbage Dumping and

Littering Inside the School
Campus
Table of Contents:
Historical Background:

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act: Environmental Protection Through

Proper Solid Waste Practice by Albert P. Aquino, Jamaica Angelica P. Deriquito, and
Meliza A. Festejo (2013), discusses the start and the importance of garbage
segregation and correct garbage disposal.

Waste mismanagement has serious environmental effects making the passage

of the Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 a
landmark environmental legislation in the Philippines. The law was crafted in response
to the looming garbage problems in the country. RA 9003 declares the policy of the
state in adopting a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management
program that ensures the protection of public health and the environment and the
proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste
through the formulation and adoption of best environmental practices. Moreover, it
illustrates the potentials and benefits of recycling not only in addressing waste
management problems but also in alleviating poverty.

RA 9003 was passed by the Philippine Congress on December 20, 2000 and
was subsequently approved by the Office of the President on January 26, 2001. It
contains seven (7) chapters sub-divided into 66 sections setting out policy direction for
an effective solid waste management program in the country.

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

RA 9003 describes solid waste management as a discipline associated with the

control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing, and
disposal of solid wastes. The manner by which these activities are conducted shall be in
accord with the best principles of public health, economics, engineering, conservation,
aesthetics, other environmental considerations, and public attitudes. The Act provides
for a comprehensive ecological solid waste management program by creating the
necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, appropriating funds, declaring
certain acts prohibited, and providing penalties.

Institutional Mechanism

The establishment of a National Solid Waste Management Commission

(NSWMC) and Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) in each local government unit
(LGU) is mandated by RA 9003 to be represented by public officials, in their ex-officio
capacity, and the private sector. The Commission shall serve as the coordinating body
and likewise develop and implement the National Solid Waste Management Framework.
The SWMB, on the other hand, is directed to formulate a 10-year local Ecological Solid
Waste Management Plans instituting an effective and sustainable solid waste
management plan with primary emphasis on implementation of all feasible re-use,
recycling and composting programs. This is pursuant to relevant provisions under RA
7160 or the Local Government Code.

Comprehensive Solid Waste Management

Waste Characterization and Segregation. The solid waste generated within the
area of jurisdiction shall be characterized for initial source reduction and recycling
element of the local waste management plan. A separate container is required for each
type of waste for on-site collection properly marked as “compostable”, “non-recyclable”,
“recyclable” or “special waste”. Waste segregation shall primarily be conducted at the
source including household, commercial, industrial and agricultural sources.

Source Reduction. This refers to the methods by which the LGUs can reduce a
sufficient amount of solid waste disposed within five (5) years. LGUs are expected to
divert at least 25% of all solid waste from waste disposal facilities through re-use,
recycling and composting activities. The rate of waste diversion is set to increase every
three (3) years.
 Collection and Transport of Solid Waste. The geographic subdivisions are taken
into account in the coverage of the solid waste collection area in every barangay
ensuring 100% collection efficiency within 24 hours from all sources. The plan shall
define and identify specific strategies and activities taking into account the availability
and provision of properly designed containers in selected collection points while
awaiting collection and transfer, segregation of different types of waste, hauling and
transfer of solid waste from collection points to final disposal sites, issuance and
enforcement of ordinances for effective implementation, and provision of properly
trained officers and workers. All personnel directly dealing with collection of solid waste
must be equipped with personal protective gears for their protection.

Recycling Program. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in coordination

with other concerned agencies, is directed to publish an inventory of existing markets
for recyclable materials, product standards for recyclable and recycled materials, and a
proposal to stimulate demand for the production of recycled materials and products.
Moreover, a coding system for eco-labeling is expected from DTI. Non-environmentally
acceptable products shall be allowed within one (1) year after public notice as
alternatives available to consumers but at cost not exceeding ten (10) percent of the
disposable product. The use of non-environmentally acceptable packaging is strictly
prohibited by the Act.

LGUs are mandated to establish Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in each

barangay or cluster of barangays designed to receive, sort, process and store
compostable and recyclable materials efficiently. The residual wastes shall then be
transferred to a long-term storage or disposal facility or sanitary landfill. All solid waste
disposal facilities or sites in the country shall be published by the Department of Natural
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). No open dumps nor any practice or
disposal of solid waste that constitutes open dumps for solid waste shall be allowed.
Composting. The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall publish an inventory of existing
markets and demands for composts that is updated annually. These composts intended
for commercial distribution should conform to the standards set by the DA for organic
fertilizers.

Local Government Solid Waste Management

To encourage and facilitate the development of local plans, NSWMC is

mandated to publish guidelines for identification of areas with common waste
management problems and appropriate units for clustering solid waste management
services. This is to reinforce provisions of the Local Government Code for all provinces,
cities, municipalities and barangays to consolidate or coordinate efforts, services and
resources to establish common waste treatment and disposal facilities.

In connection to the above-mentioned laws and history of solid waste

management, this policy proposal is hereby proposed to help lessen if not to eradicate
the garbage problems and its effect to the school community of South Eastern College
of Padada, Davao del Sur, Philippines.
Introduction:

Every school in each community must maintain a clean environment in order to

create a harmonious mind-set of the teachers and students. Clean classrooms and
clean school will lead to a clean conscience of the students and teachers as well. It will
also encourage students to become more responsible of their own garbage.

Garbage segregation is not a new mandate in the community as well as in the

school and classrooms. But, this mandate has been ignored and not being followed
mostly due to a lenient implementation. The SWAST or Solid Waste Segregation Team
will pave the way to inculcate to the minds of the students the value of proper garbage
segregation. This is a policy which will be proposed as a school organization that is, if
approved by the school administration, will help the studentry and the school community
as well.

In connection to this, South Eastern College needs a firmer implementation of

solid waste segregation so that the students, the teachers, and everyone in this school
community will become more responsible in dealing with the proper garbage disposal.

This organization is created for the good and benefit of all students, teachers,
and school personnel because a clean environment invites positive vibes and positive
energy. To develop a good sense of responsibility in dealing with personal garbage is
one of the main essences of this organization.
Statement of the Problem:

One of the most common problems of a school community in general is how to

impose discipline to students in terms of garbage disposal. Even if there are garbage
bins placed inside the school campus, still, students throw their garbage everywhere.
This makes the school physical aspect untidy. School administrators and the
concerned personnel have troubles and hard time in imposing proper waste or garbage
disposal because the policy is lenient and needs to be straightened-out. In addition, it
will also be easier for the LGU garbage in-charge to collect the properly thrown and
segregated garbage during their collection because it is also a tough job for the garbage
collectors since most of the garbage collected are not yet segregated thus making it
difficult for the garbage collectors to dump the garbage in the designated areas in the
locality.

Documentation:

The proponents of this study asked some students about their opinion with
regards to the garbage problems in the South Eastern College. Some questions asked
were about the basic information like the students’ age, course, personal assessment
on their self-discipline with regards to their garbage management or habit of handling
their garbage inside the school campus, and their year level.

According to the result of our interviews, improper garbage disposal in the school
campus, like throwing candy wrappers, plastics, biscuit wrappers, and many other sort
of garbage is a real problem because apparently, we can see some of those mentioned
garbage around the campus.

These problems were defined as incinerating, throwing their garbage on

the pathway, under the classroom chairs, inside the comfort rooms, inside the canteen
premises and even outside the school gate.
Expected Result:

The proponents of this policy expect that after this policy be implemented in
South Eastern College of Padada, the school campus environment will become cleaner
and the students will become more disciplined. There is no monetary sanctions such as
“multa” because a meager amount can easily be paid and the students will still not be
able to improve self-discipline if everything will has a price.

We also expect that the school will also do its part in strictly implementing this
policy for the benefit of all, not only for the students but also for the school as a whole.
If this policy will be pushed through, it is expected that more garbage bins will be
available inside the school campus in conspicuous places.

Another expected result is that, the LGU specifically, the garbage collectors will
also be helped since the collected garbage are already well-segregated due to the
school implementation of the policy.

Targeted Groups or Policy Beneficiaries:

The targeted beneficiaries of this policy Are the following:

First, the students, because they will be able to develop self-discipline in

terms of garbage management and garbage throwing habit. Thus, in doing so, if
they will be able to follow this rule and policy. If they will be able to discipline
themselves in terms of proper garbage disposal, then, they will also be able to
follow bigger rules not only in school, but also outside the school community.
Second, the school personnel will not be having hard time in terms of garbage
management of the students. And third, whole school community will benefit this
policy because this will help make the school campus cleaner and the learning
environment will become more conducive.
Policy Terms and Conditions:

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS:

Article 1: Membership: The membership of this organization is voluntary and should

not be compulsory. Membership of which will not affect the grades of the students.

Section 1: The members of SWAST must be bonafide students of of South

Eastern College of Padada.

Section 2: Any student of South Eastern College of Padada who is officially

enrolled can be a member of the SWAST.

Section 3: All teachers and non-teaching personnel are automatic members of

the SWAST.

Article 2: Coordinator. The coordinator is the proponent of this organization.

Article 3: Duties and Responsibilities of the Coordinator and members.

Section 1: The coordinator must check the assigned areas of the members’ sub-
group in order to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the surroundings.

Section 2: The coordinator must coordinate with the LGU garbage collectors to
regularly collect the school garbage from the school’s garbage dumping areas.

Section 3: The coordinator is responsible in reminding the garbage collectors to

collect the garbage from the school garbage dumping site every end of the week
of every Friday so that the area will be cleaned and ready for the next school
week.

Section 4: Members of this organization must regularly monitor the garbage

segregation of each classroom to remind each student not to throw their garbage
in the wrong garbage bin.
Article 4: Teachers and Advisers’ roles:

Section 1: Each adviser must see to it that the garbage of his/her section is
properly segregated and placed in a tidy garbage bin.

Section 2: every teacher has the responsibility to remind the students where to
throw their garbage to maintain a clean and tidy classroom and surroundings.

Article 5: Sanction for the teachers and students for non-compliance or non-adherence
for the SWAST rules and regulations which is duly memorandized by the college dean.

Section 1: Any student who is caught throwing garbage improperly will be

assigned to clean the classroom and bring the garbage to the school garbage
dumping site.

Section 2: if the teacher in the specific class hour will not be able to monitor and
remind the students on the proper garbage disposal, he/she will adopt any school
area where his/her class will clean for the next three days.

Article 6: Implementation: The implementation of the SWAST is described below.

Section 1: there should be three trash bins inside the classrooms or outside the
classrooms either near the front or back doors.

Section 2: the three trash bins must have plastic bag so that throwing of the
garbage daily or every Friday (depending on the size of the trash bins) will
become easier and more convenient.

Section 3: classroom garbage should be thrown to the designated area assigned

by the college dean or guidance counsellor.
 Section 4: the full utilization of the SWAST will be fully implemented by putting
big garbage bins around the school campus. There should be three garbage
bins visibly placed for Biodegradable, Non-Biodegradable, and Toxic Garbage
near the canteen, near the school ground, near the comfort rooms, and near the
school gate.

In this regard, there will be no chance of seeing garbage anywhere, since

there are available garbage bins for the garbage of the students, visitors,
teachers and non-teaching personnel.

Article 7: Dumping Site: the dumping site of the school garbage should be designated
and pointed out by the college dean, prefect of discipline, or guidance counsellor.
Section 1: in compliance with the garbage segregation rules of the school,
teachers should see to it that the students assigned to throw their garbage,
should properly place them on the segregated areas for the type of garbage on to
the dumping site.

Section 2: the college dean, prefect of discipline, or guidance counsellor should

give an immediate mandate to all teachers, students, and non-teaching personnel of the
school to adhere on the duly approved proposal of the (SWAST) Solid Waste
Segregation Team for the strict implementation and compliance.

Recommendations:

With the above mentioned problem and policy as the solution to the garbage
problem solution, we therefore recommend that the policy must be given priority for
implementation because this policy can be very effective in solving the garbage problem
inside the school campus as well as this policy will help students develop their self-
discipline.

We also would like to recommend that the school will create a stronger ties with
the LGU specifically the garbage collection team for the better result of this policy.
References:

Co, S. K., Fetatero, V. J., and Flores, R. (2016). A case study about the improper waste
disposal in barangay Mojon Tampoy, P hilippines. Retrieved from
[Link]
Disposal-in-Barangay-Mojon-Tampoy-Philippines. Retrieved on May 14, 2019.

Aquino, A., Deriquito, J.A., and Festejo, M. (2013). Ecological solid waste management
act: environmental protection through proper solid waste practice. Retrieved from
[Link] Retrieved on May 17, 2019.