THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MARTINA P. SUMADSAD
HOUSEHOLDS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES IN
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: A CASE OF THE COASTAL
BARANGAYS OF LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES

BACHELOR THESIS
Study Mode:
Major:
Faculty:
Batch:

Full-time
Environmental Science and Management
International Programs Office
2014 - 2017

Thai Nguyen, 20/11/2017


DOCUMENTATION PAGE WITH ABSTRACT
Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry
Degree Program

Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management

Student Name

Martina P. Sumadsad

Student ID

DTN1454290045

Thesis Title

Supervisors

Households’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in Solid
Waste Management: A Case of the Coastal Barangays in
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
Dr. Carmelita Rebancos
Assistant Prof. Do Thi Ngoc Oanh

Supervisor’s Signature
Abstract:
Solid Waste Management (SWM) refers to the lessening and/or elimination of
adverse environmental and health impacts of improper disposal and treatment of solid
wastes. Thus, the study used descriptive statistics and likert-scale to determine the
households’ knowledge, attitude and practices in solid waste management in coastal
barangays of Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Among the randomly selected 148
respondents, the study therefore concluded that the respondents were highly
knowledgeable in terms of solid waste management, having an average weighted
mean of 4.36. Also, the respondents showed a positive attitude in relation to solid
waste management, having an average weighted mean of 4.12. As for the practices of
the respondents in terms of proper disposal of solid wastes, the study showed that,
84.46% practices proper disposal of solid wastes such as 3R, segregation,
composting, feeding to animals and selling. However, there were still 15.54% which
does not practice proper disposal of solid waste such as dumping of wastes in any

water system, burning, burying and depending on waste collectors. Therefore, the
study concluded that having high knowledge and positive attitude in solid waste
management will be considered irrelevant if the people would still practice improper
disposal of solid wastes, as the practices is what manifests in the environment. Thus,
driving forces (e.g. use of RA 9003 and the penalties thereof) should be taken into
consideration to oblige the residents to know and take into action their
responsibilities in solid waste management.
Solid wastes, Solid Waste Management, Knowledge,
Keywords:
Attitude, Practices.
Number of Pages

82

Date of Submission

November 20, 2017

ii


DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY

I certify that this Special Problem Report is my own work
and that any idea, technique, quotation or material from other
sources, published or otherwise, are acknowledged in
accordance with standard referencing practices. Furthermore,
I declare that this report or a significant part of it has not
been submitted for the award of any other degree or diploma
at other educational institutions.


_____________________________
MARTINA P. SUMADSAD

iii


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I would like to thank God the Father for giving me
strength and wisdom all throughout my study and to CCBCF family for the non-stop
support and prayers.
I also would like to thank the Advance Education Program (AEP) of Thai
Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF) for giving me the opportunity
to conduct my study abroad, and to the Office of International Linkages (OIL) of
University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB) for accommodating me
throughout my short term research in the Philippines.
To the government officials of Los Baños, and barangay officials of Baybayin,
Bayog, Malinta, Mayondon and Tadlac for allowing me to conduct my study at their
barangays and providing me all the help and tools I need to accomplish the objectives
of my study. Thank you.
Likewise, I would like to give my utmost gratitude to my research supervisors;
to Dr. Carmelita Rebancos for the “walang sawang” support and guidance from my
thesis proposal until the final revisions of my manuscript, and to Dr. Do Thi Ngoc
Oanh, for helping me until the last minutes of my manuscript revision, specifically to
my statistical analyses.
Also, to my family (Ma, De, Leah, Lola Lila, Tita eva, Ate Jopay, Kuya
Cocoy, Kuya Bex and family, Ate Tet and family) for the endless support financially
and emotionally, also for helping me with my data gathering. To Ate Chin and Ate
Bea for being my secondary “strict” advisers throughout my writing.
In the same way, I would like to give thanks to all of my friends for the words

of encouragements and motivations not just during my manuscript writing but all
throughout my stay in the university. Specifically, I would like to thank Colleene for
being my library buddy, Katleen, Anne and Erika for being with me throughout the
“bangag” days and Mishel, Kenneth and Carlo for sharing their knowledge with me.
Thank you so much.
And to my dearest Latrell Llanto, thank you for believing in my ability to
successfully finish my research. Thank you for spoiling me with all the stress relievers
(foods), encouragements and inspirations.

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS
DOCUMENTATION PAGE WITH ABSTRACT ........................................................ ii
DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY .......................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................... iv
LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... vi
APPENDIX ....................................................................................................................... vi
LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... vii
PART I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1
1.1 Background of the Study .................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem.................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................. 3
1.4 Objectives of the Study..................................................................................................... 4
1.5 Hypotheses of the Study ................................................................................................... 5
1.6 Limitations of the Study ................................................................................................... 5

PART II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE .................................................... 6
2.1 Household Solid Wastes and its Effect on the Environment ............................................ 6
2.2 Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries ......................................................... 7

2.3 People’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Solid Wastes .................................... 9
2.4 Probable Solutions for Solid Waste Management Problems .......................................... 11
2.5 Household Solid Waste Management in the Philippines ................................................ 13
2.6 Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 ......................................................... 14
2.7 Solid Waste Management in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines ....................................... 16

PART III. METHODS AND DESIGN.......................................................................... 21
3.1 Types of Data and Method of Data Collection ............................................................... 21
3.2 Selection of the Study Area ............................................................................................ 21
3.3 Selection of Respondents................................................................................................ 23
3.4 Method of Analysis and Data Presentation..................................................................... 25
3.5 Conceptual Framework................................................................................................... 29

PART IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................... 32
4.1 Results ............................................................................................................................ 32
4.1.1 Socio – Economic Characteristics of the 148 Respondents in Los Baños ................... 32
4.1.2 Household Solid Wastes Produced in 148 Households in Los Baños ......................... 38
4.1.3 Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of the Selected Households Regarding Solid Waste
Management ................................................................................................................... 41
4.1.4 Correlation of the Households’ Knowledge, Attitude, Positive Practices, Income and
Educational Attainment .................................................................................................. 48
4.2 Discussion....................................................................................................................... 49

PART V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................... 53
5.1 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 53
5.2 Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 54

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 56
APPENDICES ................................................................................................................. 59


v


LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Organization Structure of the Solid Waste Management Program in Los
Baños.......................................................................................................... 16
Figure 2. Solid Waste Cycle in Los Baños .................................................................. 18
Figure 3. Base Map of Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines .............................................. 23
Figure 4. Degree of Correlation ................................................................................... 28
Figure 5. Conceptual Framework for the Assessment of the Household’s Knowledge,
Attitude and Practices in Solid Waste Management of the Selected Coastal
Barangays in Los Baños............................................................................. 31
Figure 6. Types of Solid Waste Generated in 148 households in Coastal Barangays of
Los Baños, Philippines, 2017..................................................................... 39
Figure 7. Estimation of Average kg/yr of Solid Waste Generated in 148 households in
Coastal Barangays of Los Baños, Philippines, 2017 ................................. 40
Figure 8. Total percentage of the respondents practices of solid waste treatment in
Coastal Barangays of Los Baños, Philippines, 2017 ................................. 47
Figure 9. Total practices of wastes disposal of the 148 households in Los Baños,
Philippines, 2017........................................................................................ 48

APPENDIX
Appendix A. Questionnaire ......................................................................................... 59
Appendix B. Preliminary Survey ................................................................................. 63
Appendix C. Socio-economic characteristics per barangay ........................................ 64
Appendix D. Types of solid wastes produced per barangay ........................................ 67
Appendix E. Level of knowledge per barangay........................................................... 68
Appendix F. Level of attitude per barangay ................................................................ 73
Appendix G. Practices in household solid waste disposal per barangay ..................... 78


vi


LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.

Population, Household Number and Sample Size of the Coastal Barangays
of Los Baños, Philippines, 2017 ................................................................ 25

Table 2.

Frequency and percentage distribution of the socio-economic
characteristics of the 148 respondents in Los Baños, Philippines, 2017 ... 36

Table 3.

Socio-economic characteristics in relation to the 148 respondents’
knowledge, attitude and practices in coastal barangays of Los Baños,
Philippines, 2017........................................................................................ 37

Table 4.

Frequency and percentage distribution of the types of household solid
wastes in coastal barangays of Los Baños, Philippines, 2017 ................... 39

Table 5.

Estimated average of solid wastes in a kg/week basis in 148 households in
coastal barangays of Los Baños, Philippines, 2017 ................................... 40


Table 6.

Level of Knowledge of the 148 respondents in coastal barangays of Los
Baños, Philippines, 2017............................................................................ 42

Table 7.

Level of Attitude of the 148 respondents in coastal barangays of Los
Baños, Philippines, 2017............................................................................ 44

Table 8.

Frequency and percentage of the respondents’ positive practices in coastal
barangays of Los Baños, Philippines, 2017 ............................................... 46

Table 9.

Frequency and percentage of the respondents’ negative practices in coastal
barangays of Los Baños, Philippines, 2017 ............................................... 46

Table 10. Correlation of Knowledge, Attitude, Positive Practices, Income and
Educational Attainment in Los Baños, Philippines, 2017 ......................... 49

vii


PART I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Solid wastes are any discarded or thrown out solid materials which may come

from animal and human activities. It can be classified based on contents, hazard
potential or origin of waste. Classification based on contents pertains to inclusion of
materials like plastic, paper, metal, glass and organic waste, while, hazard potential
includes toxic, non-toxic, radioactive, flammable or could spread infection. On the
other hand, origin of wastes refers to whether it is from industrial, domestic,
construction, commercial or demolition (LeBlanc, 2016).
Whether the wastes are classified through its contents, hazard potential or
origin, a systematic management of solid waste is still demanded to guarantee
environmental hygiene .With a purpose of maintaining a clean environment, this led
to the formation of different programs, rules and regulations related to Solid Waste
Management (SWM) (LeBlanc, 2016).
Also, SWM refers to the lessening or elimination of the adverse environmental
and human health impacts due to improper treatment of wastes. It also includes the
number of practices related to treatment of wastes such as monitoring, collection,
transport, processing, recycling and disposal (LeBlanc, 2016).
In the Philippines, like any other developing countries, waste management has
been part of its primary problem for the past decades. Generated wastes have
increased significantly in the country especially to urban areas due to modernization,
urbanization and accelerated population growth. The inability of both local and
national government on implementing proper waste management due to financial,
1


human, and technical resources scarcity resulted to both environmental and health
complications. (Atienza, 2011).
As mentioned above, increased production of wastes were experienced
particularly to urban areas such as Los Baños, Laguna. The said area encountered the
challenges of implementing an effective SWM programs within the municipality.
Some of these challenges were urbanization, acceleration to the number of population,
absence of discipline among the communities, etc. which results to land and water

pollution. Thus, led to the strict implementation and manifestation of six Municipal
Ordinances and one Memorandum Order related to Solid Waste Management (Perez,
2009).

1.2 Statement of the Problem
In the observation done in Los Baños, it was shown that as the population
increases, so thus the wastes being generated in the Municipality (Rustia, 2001). In
relation to the increased generation of wastes, as of 1980 to 2001, the vicinity of Los
Baños experienced smog due to burning of wastes; wastes were unorganized and
mixed at the dumpsite; and wastes were dispersed on the streets, having that 33 – 35
tons of wastes were produced per day and one of the major contributors to these
wastes generation were the households.
In Mayor Caesar Perez’s report about Local Ecological Governance, he stated
some of the major problems faced by the municipality with regards to addressing the
solid waste management, was the absence of the community’s involvement and
discipline having that there’s a continuous increase in urbanization and population

2


rate leading to air and water pollution. It was then stressed by Mayor Caesar P. Perez
that,
“Garbage problem is not sole responsibility of the government; the
citizens must do their share on proper waste disposal” (Perez, 2009).
With this, the study was conducted to answer the following questions:
1. What are the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents in Los Baños,
Laguna, Philippines?
2. What are the types and nature of solid wastes produced in the coastal
barangays of Los Baños?
3. What are the household’s level of knowledge & attitude, and practices

regarding Solid Waste Management?
4. What are the relationships of the respondents’ income and educational
attainment with their level of knowledge, attitude and positive practices (KAP)
in Solid Waste Management?
5. How does the household’s level of knowledge, attitude and positive practices
related to each other in relation to solid waste management?

1.3 Significance of the Study
The study could provide information about the knowledge, attitude and
practices in solid waste management of the selected households; and the identity &
quantity of the generated solid wastes in the selected households of Los Baños’
coastal barangays. Having that massive generation of waste could result to challenges
on Municipal Solid Waste Management (Desta, Worku and Fetene, 2013).

3


In general, the findings of the study could benefit the community people in
terms of self – awareness on how improper management of wastes could affect their
environment and health. The results of the study may serve as additional information
to the household solid waste management practices in Los Baños, in which could help
the municipality in planning new programs for the improvement and sustainability of
the existing programs in Solid Waste Management.
Through the information gathered, list of recommendations on better
management of household solid waste would be provided which could be of help to
the community, government, environmentalists and organizations, as well.

1.4 Objectives of the Study
In general, the study aimed to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in
Solid Waste Management of the households in the selected coastal barangays of Los

Baños. Specifically, it aimed to:
1. Describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents;
2. Describe the types and nature of solid wastes produced in the coastal
barangays of Los Baños;
3. Correlate the respondents’ income and educational attainment with its
relationship on household’s Knowledge, Attitude and Positive Practices; and
4. Correlate the respondents’ Knowledge, Attitude and Positive Practices with
each other in relation to solid waste management.

4


1.5 Hypotheses of the Study
Based on the objectives of the study, the following hypotheses were formulated:
1. The selected households of the coastal barangays in Los Baños have:
a. High knowledge in relation to solid waste management;
b. Positive attitude in relation to solid waste management.
2. The selected households practices proper disposal of their solid wastes;
3. The respondents’ income and educational attainment is positively correlated to
their level of Knowledge, Attitude and Positive Practices in Solid Waste
Management; and
4. The respondents have positive correlation between:
a. Knowledge and Attitude
b. Knowledge and Positive Practices
c. Attitude and Positive Practices

1.6 Limitations of the Study
Despite of being able to accomplish the objectives of the study, the study
mainly focused only on the knowledge, attitude and practices of the respondents
wherein different variables were not determined such as 1) factors that may affect the

respondents’ knowledge, attitude and practices on solid waste management 2)
environmental awareness and environmental behavior in relation to the respondents’
knowledge, attitude and practices. Also, due to the time constraint and lack in
manpower the study was just able to give an estimation of the wastes production from
the respondents’ guess on its quantity.

5


PART II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Household Solid Wastes and its Effect on the Environment
There are different classifications of solid wastes; however, solid wastes that
are commonly found in households were mainly categorized into three: the
biodegradable wastes, non-biodegradable and universal wastes (The Energy and
Resources Institute (teri) – Types of Solid waste, n.d.).
Biodegradable wastes such as food wastes and fruits and vegetable peels were
responsible for the additional greenhouse gases at the earth’s atmosphere of 3.3
billion tonnes; it approximately may cover 1.4 billion hectares of land affecting the
agriculture and causing biodiversity loss; and may put pressure on the need for more
production of food to be able to meet up the population demand raising the risk of
abusive use of the natural resources (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations – FAO, 2013); yard trimmings like leaves and grasses may contain chemicals
such as carbon monoxide and benzopyrene specifically when burned, causing air
pollution and heath damages such as asthma, lung cancer, heart diseases, etc. (Ong,
2015). Also, unintentionally or intentionally littering of these wastes on lakes and
rivers may cause excessive nutrients in the lakes which may cause decrease in water
quality of the said water resource/s (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, n.d.); and
animal faeces , may cause water pollution and risk on human health such as diarrhoea,
anaemia, hepatitis, etc., due to its infectious microogranisms such as Cryptosporidium
parvum oocysts, Ancylostoma spp. and Necator sp., Giardia lamblia cysts, etc. (World

Health Organization, 2003).
In comparison to biodegradable wastes, non-biodegradable wastes such as
plastics, metals, papers, glass, etc. have chemical compounds which cause them to be
6


not degraded but rather releases harmful chemical compounds (Uwera, 2013), such as
carbon monoxide, methane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc. causing global warming,
water and air pollution, scarcity in natural resources, forest and biodiversity decreased
welfare, etc. (Pongrácz, 2007).
As for universal wastes such as batteries, electric gadgets, appliances, light
bulbs, etc. may contain chemicals such as copper, lead, mercury, metal carbonyls, etc.
may results to both land and water contamination through the leaching of the said
chemicals and putting risk on human health, soil quality, biodiversity welfare and
such (Latimer, 2015).
All in all, any type of waste may cause a certain degree of harm in the
environment depending on its quantity and how it is disposed or treated (Alam &
Ahmade, 2013).

2.2 Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries
Many developing countries face a major challenge in solid waste management;
this is mainly due to the magnitude of rapid urbanization and increasing population
growth which resulted in high generation of solid wastes in the urban environment
(Desta, Worku & Fetene, 2013).
A study was conducted at Addis Ababa City in Euthopia by Desta, Worku and
Fetene (2013) which aimed to evaluate the current Municipal Solid Waste
Management (MSWM) practices of the place since Addis Ababa was facing a huge
challenge in dealing with Municipal Solid Waste which resulted to massive
generation of wastes. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis, the study found that


7


the generation of wastes on a daily basis has reached to 2,750 m3, wherein only 65%
of these wastes were collected and transported on a landfill while the remaining 35%
were disposed of improperly resulting to environmental pollution. Thus, the study
concluded that poor management of solid wastes were primarily due to some generic
factors such as insufficient budget, malfunctioning and poor operation equipment,
illegal disposition on undesignated areas, exposed disposals, poor condition of the
final disposal area, lack of adequate governance in waste management system, and the
absence of an effective public participation. Also, they added that waste management
of the city was not effective due to rapid growth of the population coupled with
unplanned urban expansion and financial scarcity to proper waste management. Early
involvement from all concerned stakeholders was considered at stake in the solid
waste management’s planning process and continuous awareness.
In relation to the study above, Taxil City in Pakistan also showed a major
problem in waste management due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, insufficient
funds and poor management which resulted to a negative impact to the environment.
Wherein, an approximate of 54,850 tons of wastes were generated every day in urban
areas having that less than 50% of these were collected resulting to land and water
resources pollution, infectious diseases were generated, drain system was negatively
affected and biodiversity of the city was at stake (Ejaz & Janjua, 2012).
Morever, the study of Fei-Baffoe, Nyankson and Miah (2014) gave focused on
the constraints to an effective solid waste management in Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis. Using mixed methodological approach the following were resulted from
the study; First, Lack of finance to support continuous waste collection service of
collectors wherein people in high class zone were required to pay an amount of 1.46$,
middle class pays 1.17$ and low class areas pay only 0.06$ in a monthly basis.
8



Second is the lack in waste management personnel, which affects a better outcome of
waste management service. Third is lack of appropriate equipment to carry out waste
collection activities efficiently. And last would be lack of strict law enforcement due
to lack of political will of the municipality.
All in all, the results of the studies shown that resources such as financial
needs, manpower, technical assistance, etc. cannot keep up with the increasing
generation of wastes wherein not all 100% of the wastes generated were collected or
properly disposed of resulting to adverse impact on the environment mainly pollution
affecting other factors such as human health, economic growth, etc.
2.3 People’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Solid Wastes
The cooperation of the public people was deemed necessary in obtaining an
efficient solid waste management (Kumar & Nandini, 2013).
Kumar and Nandini (2013) conducted a study in Bangalore City, Karnataka,
India which aimed to identify the community attitude, perception, and willingness
towards solid waste management. According to one of the results gathered through
structured interviews and focused group discussions, it is shown that majority does
not care on the wastes’ final disposal. Additionally, residents’ have given reasons on
why they are not willing or does not feel the need of cooperating or paying in waste
management, the said reasons are: 37% of the respondents believe that there are no
problems present since their wastes are collected and there is enough space like road,
lake bed, open spaces, etc. to throw the wastes, 34% is currently under low level of
income and believes that survival is their sole priority than the waste and other few
households feel that it is the government and municipalities’ duty.

9


Ambat and Saharsh (2003) also stated that the reason behind the inefficiency
of any waste management programme was the poor participation of the community.

With the use of a detailed pretested survey format, some of the results in the study
showed that most of the people of Thiruvananthapuram City, India assumed that it is
the responsibility of the government officers and they are not needed to part – take to
perform solid waste management programs, before. However, through their
participation in a waste management programme, 88% percent of people showed a
changed of actions and perspective as they were informed that they also need to take
part in proper solid waste management as they were the producer of wastes.
The studies completed by Kumar and Nandini (2013) and Ambat and Saharsh
(2003) highlighted the importance of the public’s cooperation in attaining an efficient
solid waste management, on the other hand, studies done by Banga (2011) and Jatau
(2013) stressed on the relationship of the respondents’ level of awareness and their
practices in solid waste management.
The study by Banga (2011) used a descriptive analysis and a binary outcome
model to determine the household knowledge, attitudes and practices in solid waste
segregation and recycling in Urban Kampala, Uganda. The study showed that the
cooperation in activities of solid waste separation depends on different factors like
level of awareness of recycling activities in the area and socio – economic profile
such as household income, educational level and gender. Thus, the study of Jatau
(2013) showed a detailed explanation of knowledge, attitudes and practices associated
with waste management in Jos South Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. By using a
descriptive analysis, chi – square and t – test in analyzing the data gathered, the study
concluded that the respondents’ who attained a higher level of education has a higher
level of awareness on the possible impacts of improper waste management to health
10


than those with lower level of education, but both performs positive practices
associated with waste management. As for the age, respondents with an age of 31+
showed positive attitudes associated with waste management than age 15-30.
However, age has statistical insignificance influence on attitudes associated with

waste management while level of education has shown a statistical significant
influence on knowledge of waste management and on practices associated with waste
management.

2.4 Probable Solutions for Solid Waste Management Problems
Due to the acceleration of solid waste produced in most developing nations, it
was seen that most of the nations experienced the difficulties of finding an efficient
and sustainable approaches in waste problems. Still, there are several towns that were
able to promote contemporary ways on handling solid waste management problems in
their vicinities (Atienza, 2008).
A study done by Atienza (2008) focused on how does the cooperation of the
residents and their assemblage on decision – making processes could be an efficient
way on handling solid waste management in other unindustrialized nations. Through
the discussions of related articles and survey of Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, the
study therefore concluded that there are four main factors that could serve as a proof
on defining the importance of the resident’s cooperation and assemblage on decision –
making processes on handling solid waste management which are; First, quantity of
the wastes produced multiplies as the number of population expands which means that
“people” are the source of the problem; Second, wastes could also be a possible
source of income only if it is appropriately handled; Third, solid waste management

11


problems are things that cannot be dealt by the government alone therefore the
participation of various people in the community were considered necessary in
dealing with solid waste management; Lastly,
“…the solution to solid waste management problems does not always
mean using expensive and advanced technologies, but rather identifying
the local and appropriate technologies in the community.”

In comparison to the mentioned study above, Remy (2012) specified that even
through the different actions taken part by the different sectors of the community, still
it was not able to solve the local waste management issues. Through the gathering of
different studies that focuses on the rules and decisions implemented in 29 countries
around the world, the study concluded that approaches based on economic, social,
political mechanisms, and modern technologies can support cities/countries in
developing a sustainable MSWM system; challenges on managing wastes are due to
legislative desecration; and if the shareholders are not knowledgeable to hold up with
MSW then the quantity of wastes will remain proportional to income having that
countries with lower income faces more difficulties in MSWM.
Relatively, the study about planning for future waste management operations
in developing countries that was completed by Rushbrook and Finnecy (1988) was
interrelated to the discussed researches above. Through the use of computer models,
the study was able to determine that problems on waste management were also altered
by financial, public and racial conditions. Thus, a well – planned judicial structure,
rules and regulations on waste, executive strategies are considered necessary to obtain
an effective waste management operation, with the help of foreign counselors and
administrations in giving recommendations, assistance, training and technology.

12


However, all in all, solving a nation’s solid waste management problems can only be
done by its own people.

2.5 Household Solid Waste Management in the Philippines
The combination of the increasing population in the campus of University of
Eastern Philippines (UEP) and unavailability of a hygienic dumpsite led to the
residents’ discarding of wastes in an open dumpsite (C. Ultra & A. Ultra, 2013).
As for the stated reason above, C. Ultra and A. Ultra (2013) aimed to

determine the solid waste management practices of the households in the UEP
premises. Using a descriptive analysis, the study found that the typical wastes
produced in the area are kitchen wastes, paper, cans and bottles. Few households
(Barangay Zone I & II) practices burning of solid wastes, while, cans and bottles are
mostly considered as re-usable items like as a container or could also be sold to
junkshops (Barangay Zone I, II & III). Still, complications in solid waste management
in the sample barangays were experienced due to vehicle breakdown causing delay on
waste collection and piled – up wastes; inadequate awareness on proper disposal of
solid wastes; poor participation of households in practicing proper dumping of wastes;
and

insufficient

government

fund

for

solid

waste

management

program

implementation.
In contrary to the mentioned household practices in UEP, respondents’
households in the villages of Metro Manila, Philippines do not practice the burning of

solid wastes nor composting since the households believe that garbage collection and
disposal is the obligation of the government. However, some respondents admitted
that they leave their garbage (usually in street corners) in non – designated pick up
13


areas. This study completed by Bernardo (2008) used open – ended question in
interviews with the household members.
To compare the households’ practices in another area in the Philippines, some
of the results in a study done by Premakumara (2011) showed that the randomly
selected households in Cebu City appears to be unaware of the possible consequences
of solid waste disposal to the environment. As the urban areas of Cebu City
experiences insufficient waste collection services due to lack of collectors, budget and
manpower, still, most households argued that they are not willing to give extra bills
for waste collection service since it should be a responsibility of the Barangay.
Nonetheless, some sells their recyclable materials to house-to-house collectors and
few households understand a little about composting and practice in gardening.

2.6 Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
By 20th of December 2000, Republic Act (RA) of the Philippines 9003 or also
known the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act was handed by the Philippine
Congress and was permitted on 26th of January 2001 by the Office of the President to
address and respond to the garbage problems in the country (Aquino, Deriquito &
Festejo, 2013).
R.A. No. 9003 is a state policy of adopting an efficient, widespread and
environmental solid waste management program of the Philippines, which is to
guarantee the security of the environment and public health. It is a mandatory law
which gives emphasis to the urgency of making the essential organized system &
inducement, and punishments to the violators (NSWMC, 2005b cited in Sapuay,
2014). Wherein, the implementation of the policies and regulation under R.A. No.

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9003 are enclosed in the Philippines DENR Administrative Order No. 2001 – 34
(NSWMC, 2001 cited in Sapuay, 2014).
Accordingly, a total of 103 cities out of 109 were able to organize their Solid
Waste Management Board (SWMBs) with the provisions of R.A. No. 9003 in year
2004. However, out of 103, only 49 cities had effective SWMBs. Wherein, SWMB
prepares the Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP); supervise the implementation
of SWMP in cooperation with private sectors and NGOs; recommends methods for
preserving the ecosystem & security against pollution; and proposes actions like
franchises or Build – Operate – Transfer (BOT) agreements for the collection,
transfer, storage, processing, recycling, or solid waste disposal (Torres, 2009).
Some of the policies and regulation to be punished are open burning of wastes
with a penalty of Php300 - Php1,000 and/or imprisonment of 1 to 15 days; littering,
dumping of waste matters in public places, canals, estuaries, or permitting the same
have the same penalty with open burning of wastes; establishment or operation of
open dumpsite with a penalty of Php500,000 for first offense and 1 to 3 years of
imprisonment for second offense. Also, under Section 52, citizens may file a case
against any private person or public official who fails to implement the law (Sapuay,
2014)
Under the R.A. No. 9003, its implementation and enforcement shall be taken
under the responsibility of the Local Government Units while the barangays are
responsible for the collection and segregation of biodegradable, compostable &
reusable solid wastes and the cities or municipalities is in charge for the collection of
non – recyclable materials and special wastes (RA 9003).

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2.7 Solid Waste Management in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
A study done by Atienza (2008) entitled as the “Breakthrough in Solid Waste
Management through Participation and Community Mobilization: The Experience of
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines” stressed the possible factors needed to achieve an
effective solid waste management programs, the study stated that many developing
countries faced the difficulties of implementing an effective solid waste management
programs due to lack of resources such as funds and manpower, thus, despite these
hindrances the Municipality of Los Baños, Laguna was able to attain a better solid
waste management programs. This solid waste management programs includes the
participation of different sectors (Figure 1) and the strict implementation of rules and
regulations related to solid waste management.

Figure 1. Organization Structure of the Solid Waste Management Program in
Los Baños (MENRO, 2012)
As the study of Atienza (2008) aimed to define the importance of the
community’s participation in attaining a better/successful solid waste management
program having the municipality of Los Baños as its role model. On the other hand, a
study of Alaira (2007) aimed to determine the indicators of sustainability about
positive administration on the environment in terms of the solid waste management in
a town basing from the business and civil category’s point of view, in which the
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municipality of Los Baños was chosen as the study area. Through descriptive analysis
and the use of Chi – square test and Spearman’s Correlation test, the study was able to
conclude that the factors such as “consultative processes, legal bases, presence of
solid waste management unit or desks, presence of plans and programs, definition of
roles and responsibilities and evidences of impacts” were the six main concerns in
relation to the sustainability indicators present at the municipality specifically to the
administration’s positive relation on the environment.

In contrary to the study of Alaira (2007) which mainly focused on the business
and civil category’s point of view, the study of Rustia (2001) concentrated on the
household level in Los Baños. Through descriptive analysis, simple linear regression
model and correlation analysis the study was able to determine that households’
environmental awareness, knowledge and attitude are high but are low in
environmental behavior. Also, some hindrances were found in achieving a successful
management of waste, which is the lack of the people’s initiation to segregate, the
belief that it is the obligation of the LGUs to manage their waste and the attitude of “ I
don’t care where my garbage will end – up”.
Despite of the said problems associated with the solid waste management in
Los Baños, the said municipality was also able to show improvements both from
technical and social approaches (Atienza, 2008). Such that, Municipal Environment
and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) was assigned as the main sector to enhance
and effectively carry out the Los Baños Ten-Year Solid Waste Management Plan
2014-2023 in which purpose is to target the 50% of solid wastes categorized as
biodegradable to be compost, recycle the non-biodegradable wastes and disposal of
the remaining waste in the sanitary landfill which is also known as ecowaste
processing center.
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In accordance to what was mentioned above, MENRO formed an illustration
on how to effectively reduce the consumption of wastes and reduce the risk of
possible threat to the environment. As shown in Figure 4, the solid waste generators
(e.g. households, business establishments, etc.) were obliged to segregate their wastes
so that it could be disposed properly when collected by the garbage collectors, having
that as of 2014, ~53.3 tons of wastes were produced by the households on a daily
basis (MENRO, 2012). With these, the biodegradable were collected for
vermicomposting, wherein it is the usage of different worm species to produce a
heterogeneous mixture to be used as compost (Misra, Roy & Hiraoka, 2003). While,

recyclable wastes were to be collected by waste pickers or junkshops to promote
profit. Lastly, special and residual wastes were to be collected and treated to the
sanitary landfill.

Figure 2. Solid Waste Cycle in Los Baños (MENRO, 2012)

In addition to what was mentioned above, the government assigned a
particular date and time for a specific type of solid wastes which:


Biodegradable Wastes: Mondays to Fridays (8:00 pm to 9:00 pm)

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