Bicol University

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Daraga, Albay

Addressing the Improper Waste Disposal

Behind the Effective Implementation
of Proper Waste Segregation
of Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City
_________________________________________________
Prepared for the Committee on Environment and Solid Waste Management of Barangay
Fatima, Tabaco City
Addressing the Improper Waste Disposal Behind the Effective Implementation of
Proper Waste Segregation of Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City

May 2021

A report submitted to Mr. Jhunell Albaytar Regala, Instructor I, in partial fulfillment of the
final requirement in GEC Elect 21.1 - Environmental Science.

Prepared for the Barangay Fatima Council, Committee on Environment and Solid Waste
Management.

Cover page photo: Material Recovery Facility of Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City
(captured by Joelle Maine R. Bergonio)

Logos (from left): Bicol University, Bicol University College of Education (BUCE), and
Fatima Barangay Council Logo

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 CONTENTS

Executive Summary 3

1.0 Call for Proper Waste Disposal: An Introduction 4

1.1 Brief Information of the Barangay and Its Management 4
1.2 Behind the Effective Proper Waste Segregation 5
1.3 Purpose and Aims of the Report 6

2.0 Impacts of Improper Waste Disposal 7

2.1 Environmental Impacts 7
2.2 Economic Impacts 9

3.0 Current Measures 10

3.1 Solid Waste Management 10
3.2 Cleanup Drives 11

4.0 Identified Gaps in the Existing Mitigation Strategies 12

4.1 Lack of Awareness 12
4.2 Availability and Accessibility of Material Recovery Facility (MRF) 12
4.3 Imbalance Efforts and Community Engagement 13

5.0 Identified Gaps in the Existing Mitigation Strategies 14

5.1 Involvement of Other Major Stakeholders 14
5.2 Dealing with the Root Causes 14

References 16

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 Executive Summary

Solid wastes are regarded as materials that are no longer useful and should be
disposed of. We can get rid of solid waste by burying, burning, recycling, dumping, and
composting (Berg et al, 2011).

The purpose and aims of this consultancy report are - to investigate the to investigate
on how the barangay officials address the problems of the improper waste disposal; to
give knowledge and awareness to all bona fide residents about their local government’s
plans for the proper implementation of solid waste management; and to address the
improper waste disposal behind the effective implementation of the proper waste
segregation.

Fatima is one of the barangays of Tabaco City in the province of Albay within Region V
in the island of Luzon. Hon. Merlinda B. Borcelis, is the Barangay Councilor that
handles the Committee on Environment and Solid Waste Management. According to
Hon. Borcelis, 90% of the residents of Barangay Fatima already know how to segregate
properly their residential wastes. With the 90% of knowledge and awareness of the
citizens about the proper segregation of wastes, the remaining issue is how can they
address the improper waste disposal of some households.

Improper waste disposal has environmental and economic impacts. These impacts both
harms humanity and the ecosystem. The barangay addresses this issue by providing
Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), Cleanup Drives, and participating in the Albay for
Beautification, Clean and Green Program.

The identified gaps in the existing implemented mitigations are lack of awareness of the
residents, availability, and accessibility of the Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and
imbalance efforts and community engagement among sectors.

This consultancy report sought to address the improper waste disposal through some
recommendations. First, the other major stakeholders should be involved in the program
implementation and information dissemination. Second, to construct a fund-generating
project proposal that involves all the residents. Lastly, to have a regular conduct of Solid
Waste Management Symposium.

This report is for the partial fulfillment of the final requirement in GEC Elect 21.1 -
Environmental Science, and to help address the improper waste disposal behind the
effective implementation of proper waste segregation of Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City.

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 Section 1.0

Call for Proper Waste Disposal:

An Introduction

1.1 Brief Information of the Barangay and Its Management

Fatima is one of the barangays of Tabaco City in the province of Albay within
Region V in the island of Luzon. Barangay Fatima is located at approximately
13.3535, 123.7355. The elevation at the coordinates is estimated at 4.6 meters/15.1
feet above mean sea level. Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was
4, 294 where 2, 125 were females; 2, 169 were males and with a total of 851
households.

Image 1. Map of Barangay Fatima

The map above shows the location of Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City, Albay
(Photo captured at the barangay hall.)

The Fatima Barangay Council is composed of a Barangay Captain, seven

Barangay Councilors, one SK Chairman, one Barangay Secretary and one
Barangay Treasurer. Their term started in 2018 and will end in 2022. The
incumbent Barangay Chairman is Hon. Lily B. Romero together with the Barangay
Councilors – Hon. Eugenia B. Arteta; Hon. Rosario B. Buce; Hon. Merlinda B.
Borcelis; Hon. Eduardo B. Berces; Hon. Florabel B. Burac; Hon. Jacquiline B.

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 Ricablanca; and Hon. Marites M. Labayo. The SK Chairman is Hon. Jake Robert B.
Brusola.

The Fatima Barangay Hall is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. It has also its own
Barangay Health Center with Birthing Home, a Barangay Chapel, and a Public
Elementary School.

1.2 Behind the Effective Proper Waste Segregation

Solid wastes are regarded as materials that are no longer useful and should be
disposed of. We can get rid of solid waste by burying, burning, recycling, dumping,
and composting (Berg et al, 2011).

In the Philippines, the Republic Act 9003 of 2000 or the Ecological Solid Waste Act
of 2000 serves as a framework to local governments about solid waste
management plans to ensure public health and environmental protection. The said
act prohibits littering, throwing or dumping waste in public areas.

Joelle Maine R. Bergonio and Princess Therese C. Boral, students of BSED-Filipino

2, taking up GEC Elect 21.1 – Environmental Science, conducted an interview for
the partial fulfillment of this consultancy report. They seek first an approval to the
Hon. Lily B. Romero, Barangay Chairman, before conducting the said interview.

Image 2. Pose with Hon. Merlinda B. Borcelis

From the left, Joelle Maine R. Bergonio, Hon. Merlinda B. Borcelis
and Princess Therese C. Boral
(Photo captured by Princess Therese C. Boral)

Hon. Merlinda B. Borcelis, is the Barangay Councilor that handles the Committee
on Environment and Solid Waste Management. According to Hon. Borcelis, 90% of
the residents of Barangay Fatima already know how to segregate properly their
residential wastes.

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 With the 90% of knowledge and awareness of the citizens about the proper
segregation of wastes, the remaining issue is how can they address the improper
waste disposal of some households.
The barangay helped the local government unit in implementing the Republic Act
9003 of 2000 or the Ecological Solid Waste Act of 2000.

They gather and process waste with the assistance of the three Eco-Aid (Barangay
Ecological Waste Management Personnel), Erik Beñosa, Ramil Bonaobra, and
Cenon Burce. The barangay council of the said barangay also established a
Material Recovery Facility, where community garbage is collected for processing,
segregation, composting, and recycling. The barangay's MRF is in Zone 2 and
Barangay Hall.

The upcoming environmental project of the barangay in partnership of Philippine

National Police (PNP) Maritime that will handle improper disposal of waste is by
putting river booms in Zone 1 and Zone 2 of the barangay that will filter trashes and
debris from other barangays.

1.3 Purpose and Aims of the Report

The purpose of this consultancy report is to investigate on how the barangay

officials in Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City address the problems of the improper
waste disposal in their barangay. Since the collection of waste has been a problem
because often, the waste coming from different households in the barangay,
become piles of waste in public places a day before the scheduled collection of
waste.

This report aims to give knowledge and awareness to all bona fide residents of the
said barangay about their local government’s plans for the proper implementation of
solid waste management; and to address the improper waste disposal behind the
effective implementation of the proper waste segregation.

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 Section 2.0

Impacts of Improper Waste Disposal

2.1 Environmental Impacts

2.1.1 Soil Contamination

Soil contamination occur by spilling and/or burying hazardous components. In

the barangay, there are vacant lots with no fences. Other residents residing
near those lots make used of them as dumping area of their residential
wastes. Hence, there are wastes that may contain harmful chemicals that can
contaminate the soil in that vacant lot.

Image 3. Wastes Disposed on a Vacant Lot

This image shows scattered and nonsegregated wastes on a vacant lot in
Zone 4 Fatima, Tabaco City.
(Photo captured by Joelle Maine R. Bergonio)

2.1.2 Air Pollution

Burning prohibited materials and garbage is harmful because these materials

release harmful chemicals such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, ad other
harmful gases that pollutes the air (Wisconsin Department of Natural
resources, n.d.).

Beside from burning garbage, piles of garbage also release foul odor that
pollutes the air and harm humans and animals when inhaled.

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 Polluted air can be inhaled by humans and animals, deposited in the soil and
surface water. This can cause long-term health problem.

Image 4. Burned Wastes on a Vacant Lot

This image shows nonsegregated and unfinished burned wastes on a vacant lot in
Zone 6 Fatima, Tabaco City
(Photo captured by Joelle Maine R. Bergonio)

2.1.3 Water Pollution

Since Barangay Fatima is a coastal barangay, there are residents residing

just beside the sea wall. Some of their wastes are directly disposed to the
river and sea. Also, the barangay canals end up also to the river and sea.

These harmful acts violate both Republic Act 9003 of 2000 or the Ecological
Solid Waste Act of 2000 and Republic Act 9275 of the Philippine Clean Water
Act of 2004. RA 9275 aims to protect the country’s water bodies from
pollution from land-based sources.

Image 5. Sewage System at the Coastal Area

This image shows the sewage system with improperly disposed wastes located at the coastal area of
Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City.
(Photo captured by Joelle Maine R. Bergonio)

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 Image 6. Drainage System of the Barangay
This image shows the drainage system of the barangay that flows directly to the river.
(Photo captured by Joelle Maine R. Bergonio)

2.2 Economic Impacts

2.2.1 Loss of Natural Resources

Being a coastal barangay, fishing is one of the sources of income. If improper

waste disposal continues in the bodies of water, harmful chemicals from
decaying matters and other types of wastes exposed the life of the marine
ecosystem at risk. This can affect the livelihood of our local fishermen and our
natural resources.

2.2.2 Negative Effects on Agriculture

Barangay Fatima has small farmers who earned their living through planting
and selling fruits and vegetables. Since some of the residents disposed
wastes improperly especially to vacant lots, pests can feed on and take
advantage of the improperly discarded rubbish. This is the manner where
pests can find their way into agricultural lands and destroy the crops.

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 Section 3.0

Current Measures

3.1 Solid Waste Management

3.1.1 Material Recovery facilities

The barangay council of Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City established a Material

Recovery Facility, where community garbage is collected for processing,
segregation, composting, and recycling. The barangay's MRF is in Zone 2
and Barangay Hall. They gather and process waste with the assistance of the
three Eco-Aid (Barangay Ecological Waste Management Personnel) to
ensure proper waste handling. The recyclable materials will be sold to a junk
store, and the proceeds will be accounted for their report. The barangay will
send a report to the municipal office every three month.

Image 7. MRF Located near the Barangay Hall

This is the Material Recovery Facility which can be found at the vicinity of the
Barangay Hall of Barangay Fatima, Tabaco City
(Photo captured by Joelle Maine R. Bergonio)

3.1.2 Proper Waste Segregation

Once a year, the barangay council holds a barangay assembly to ensure that
residents are well-informed about waste separation. During the assembly

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 they discuss what they need to know about waste disposal and how to
reduce their garbage. As a result, 90% of residents in Fatima recognize the
value of waste management and they are willing to cooperate with the
barangay.

Image 8. MRF with Segregated Wastes

This image shows the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) located at Zone 2 Fatima, Tabaco City.
(Photo captured by Joelle Maine R. Bergonio)

3.2 Cleanup Drives

3.2.1 Coastal Cleanup

Every two months, the barangay council organizes a coastal clean-up. This
is undertaken to minimize solid waste in the Fatima coastal regions, such as
plastics and glass. It not only benefits the locals, but it also contributes to the
preservation of the Fatima Sea’s aquatic biodiversity.

3.2.2 Albay Beautification

The Albay for Beautification, Clean and Green Program was initiated by the
provincial government of Albay (AFBCG). This has the aim of beautifying,
maintaining cleanliness, and sustaining food production, as well as
maintaining a fresh, appealing, and stable atmosphere. In line with this, the
residents of Barangay Fatima are enthusiastically participating in the
initiative. The barangay planted ornamental and edible plants along the
sidewalks and avenues. Every week, the barangay also holds a clean-up
drive. Residents and the barangay council work closely to maintain a safe
and healthy environment.

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 Section 4.0

Identified Gaps in the Existing Mitigation Strategies

4.1 Lack of Awareness

The barangay has a poor information dissemination. Some residents are not
informed about barangay assemblies where proper waste segregation and disposal
is also tackled. In connection with, this affects the residents to know how to manage
or segregate waste properly due to lack of awareness.

4.2 Availability and Accessibility of Material Recovery Facility (MRF)

According to Hon. Borcelis, there are MRFs located at Zone 2 and Barangay Hall
There is also a collection point at Zone 7 of the barangay. The wastes are classified
into three – biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclables.

Classifi cations of Wastes

Non-biodegradable Biodegradable
Recyclables

15%

25%
60%

Figure 1. Percentage of the Classification of Wastes

(Data from the Committee on Environment and Solid Waste Management of Barangay Fatima, 2020)

In Figure 1, the wastes gathered are mostly composed of non-biodegradable

material which is approximately 60% and it includes plastic wrappers, infant diapers,
and other household wastes. It is followed by biodegradable materials which is

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 approximately 25% and it includes left over foods and some yard wastes. The last
one is recyclable materials which is approximately 15% and it includes plastic and
glass bottles.

Image 9. Collection Point at Zone 7 Fatima, Tabaco City

This image shows the collection point of the coastal zone of the said barangay.
(Photo captured by Joelle Maine R. Bergonio)

In Image 9, we can see that there is a collection point at Zone 7. There is a need to
haveMRF because the locations of the two MRFs are quite far from that zone and
the remaining wastes can posed risks to the residents. Hence, availability and
accessibility are one of the identified gaps.

4.3 Imbalance Efforts and Community Engagement

Among the 90% residents of the barangay, 10% of the remaining residents have
not fully exerted effort to participate in the proper disposal and segregation of
waste.

The residents lack of community engagement that hinders them to participate in the
activities. Community Engagement is the process of working collaboratively with
and through groups of people address an issue affecting the community
(CDC,1997). Lack of community engagement among the remaining 10% of the
sectors entirely affect addressing the issue on improper waste disposal of the
barangay.

The effectivity of the Proper Segregation of Waste being implemented by the

barangay is affected by the less exerted efforts and community engagement of the
remaining portion of the population.

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 Section 5.0

Recommendations

5.1 Involvement of Other Major Stakeholders

5.1.1 Local Government Units

Involvement of the major stakeholders should not be limited. They can include
Department of Education and Department of Health which are responsible in
providing technical assistance. These mentioned departments can help in
strict implementation of law and in institutionalizing public participation in the
development and implementation of the Solid Waste Management program
both in national and local level. They can help alleviate the problem
encountered in information dissemination and can help reaching out the
uninformed residents about barangay assemblies and other community
programs.

5.1.2 Households and Private Sectors

As mentioned, the barangay has three Eco-Aids (Barangay Ecological Waste

Management Personnel). The barangay council can ask the assistance to the
households from the seven zones to have at least two representatives from
each zone who can help the Eco-Aids.

Beside from the LGU, the council can also seek technical assistance from the
private sectors that can help in strengthening the of public information
dissemination and the success of symposiums on solid waste management.

5.2 Dealing with Root Causes

5.2.1 Lack of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

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 5.2.1.1 Construct a Fund-Generating Project Proposal

The project proposal is about “Plastic asin Bote Mo, Kalinigan kan
Kapalibutan Niato.” This aims to generate funds from the resident’s
plastic scraps and bottles; to produce five more MRFs for Zone 1, 3,
4, 5, and 6; and create community awareness by simple proper waste
disposal. This contains a work plan with objectives, activities, time
frame, resources and MOVs. (Please see attached file.)

5.2.2 Regular Conduct of Solid Waste Management Symposium

Beside from having a fund-generating project proposal, the barangay can allot
at least a twice a year conduct of Solid Waste Management Symposium. It is
to enhance the eagerness of the residents in addressing the improper waste
disposal behind the effective implementation of proper waste segregation of
the barangay.

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 References

A. Book

Berg, L. R., Hager, M. C., & Hassenzahl, D. M. (2011). Visualizing environmental

science (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Melegrito, Ma. Lourdes F. & Mendoza, Diana J. (2016). Zeal for Action:
Community Engagement, Solidarity and Citizenship. Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc. Quezon City.

B. Websites

Kurt’s Ruddish. (n.d.). Economic Impacts of Improper Waste Disposal. Retrieved

from https://kurtsrubbish.com.au/how-local-economy-affected-improper-
waste-disposal/

Republic Act 9003 of 2000 or the Ecological Solid Waste Act of 2000. Retrieved
from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/01/26/republic-act-no-9003-s-
2001/

Republic Act 9275 of the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. RA 9275. Retrieved
from https://r12.emb.gov.ph/ra-9275-the-philippine-clean-water-act/

Wisconsin Department of Natural resources. (n.d.). Impacts of Smoke from

Burning Trash. Retrieved from
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/OpenBurning/Impacts.html

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