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 wouldnt 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 wont 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 governments 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 doesnt perform an ideal deed for
they think other people are also not participating, which makes them think that its 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 Ive 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 cant 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 youre 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 theyre already aware of whats
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 youre 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 youre 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 neighbors
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 wasnt 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 doesnt
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

that

the

LGUs are

held

responsible

for

the

accomplishment of the given assignment would ease the tension on the problem, but it
didnt. 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 wasnt 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 governments responsibility. It should also be
done by every individual. Since garbage starts from ones 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 wouldnt know the difference and will treat it normally as if it
wasnt 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.