Policy Brief

ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

2018-2027
Cotabato City
Waste Generator Sectors by Waste Output by Rank source: Executive Summary of ESWMP –Cotabato
City -2018-2027
 Within the whole City, total waste generation is calculated at approximately 108,610.25 kgs/day wherein
the percentages for biodegradable, recyclable, residuals and special wastes are almost the same with the
current collection area
 Giving more emphasis on the residential sector, being the main source of waste being disposed, will result
to the attainment of 62% reduction target
 Per capita waste generation is computed at 0.35 kg/day.
 In the City’s collection area, composed of 29 out of 37 barangays, total waste generation is approximately
82.8 tons/day where: (source: Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) conducted in 2017)
 62.7% are biodegradable;
 18% are recyclable;
 10% are potential residual waste;
 9% are residual waste; and
 0.30% are special waste.
 Total potential waste for diversion is 90.7%, including biodegradable (62.7%), recyclable (18%)
waste and potential residual (10%) .
 Major waste generators are households, food establishments and institutions.

RECYCLABLES As of 2017, the list of COMPOSTABLE/BIODEGRADABLE

tradable items/materials based on MATERIALS
informal interviews, are as follows:
 Vegetable and fruit
 Plastic gallons and peelings
bottles
 Left-over foods
 Hard/coated plastics
 Papers and cartons
 Glass bottles (soft
drinks)
 Leaves and grasses
 Liquor bottles (long  Fish and Animal
neck and “lapad”) entrails
 Medicine bottles and
other small bottles
 Tin cans
 Cosmetic
containers/canisters
 Scrap irons (stainless,
soft and cast iron)
 Aluminum
 Copper
 Bronze
 Cartons
Key Result Areas of SWM

 Cluster with the adjacent municipalities of Maguindanao Province for the establishment of a progressive
sanitary landfill by 2020;
 Realization of 60% waste reduction at the 1st year of plan implementation based on the volume of waste
currently generated, and 90% or more by the end 2027;
 Initial construction of central MRF by 2020 with complete segregation and composting area with material
recovery efficiency of 85% by the end of 2020;
 All barangays have functional MRFs by 2019;
 Improve the segregated collection efficiency by 60% in the 1st year of plan implementation and 80% at
the end of 2019;
 Increase the participation of non-government and private sectors by 25% in the ESWM Plan monitoring
and implementation by 2018 onwards; 90% by 2027;
 Enhance the behavior change communication activities on proper SWM, 90% by 2027;
 Annual increase of revenues by 10% from MRF operations, 100% by 2027;
 Increase by 60% the participation of all sectors in waste diversion through reduction, reuse, and recycling
activities;
 Develop, expand and sustain markets for recyclable wastes in support to waste diversion efforts and
ensure that 80% of diverted materials are returned to the economic mainstream;
 Improve by 90% SWM internal processes that uphold good governance principles through gender-
sensitive communication, capacity-building, linkages with various key SWM players and effective use of
technology;
 Improve by 60% the enforcement of the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy; 100% by 2027;
 Enforcement of mandatory composting of biodegradable materials in all MRFs within the 37 barangays;
100% by 2027;
 Properly close and rehabilitate the existing disposal facility (RCA) by 2020;
 Inclusion of 8 barangays not formerly included in the city’s waste collection service by the year 2019; and
Coordination Structure for the City’s ESWM Plan Implementation

NGAs

City Mayor
Private Sector

ESWM Board
Multi-Sector M & E Team

City ENRO
TWG
Deputized Volunteer
Enforcers
TWG IEC Team and
“Student Brigade”

Environment and Public Services

Natural Resources Division
Division

BLGU

Legend:
_____ Command Line
-------- Coordination line BSWM Committee
Solid Waste Management Plan

Waste Storage and Set-outs

Types of containers to be used for storage for each waste sources

The recommended containers to be used for waste storage in residential areas are sacks and
eco-bags, metal containers and the like.

Those in the market area will use recycled containers or sacks as receptacles for biodegradable
and residual wastes. The learning institutions will be required to use plastic containers for their
generated wastes. The said receptacles are washable and manageable for the waste collectors.

Set-out Requirements

The segregated and secured wastes will be collected by the barangay collection service and will
be brought to their MRFs while awaiting collection of the CENRO at the scheduled collection
period. For barangays without collection system, residents will be required to bring their
segregated wastes to the MRF.

Waste Collection

For Segregated Compostable/ Biodegradable Materials

Strategies for implementing segregated collection of compostable in each barangay

1. Barangays within the collection area
 Residents will be repeatedly informed by the waste collection team every collection
day;
 Barangay Officials and Purok leaders including Barangay Tanods will be briefed and
instructed to disseminate to their immediate constituents the policy on segregated
waste collection;
 It will be supported by behavior change communication and information campaign.
2. Barangays outside the current collection area
 Barangay Officials must inform their constituents to segregate their wastes at home;
 All biodegradables will be composted at source especially for those that have
enough area for composting or used as green fertilizer for fruit trees planted within
their compound;
 All biodegradables brought to the MRF will be the responsibility of the barangay and
processed in the MRF’s composting area;
For Segregated Recyclable Materials
Unwanted recyclables disposed in the waste stream that reached the disposal facility will be
collected by waste pickers

Strategies for Recyclables Segregation

 Constantly remind the populace on the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy and penalties
for such offense;
 The issuance of citation ticket to those that exceeded 3 warnings will influence the populace
to segregate;
 Intensified IEC campaign; and
 Encourage private entrepreneurs to establish buying station for recyclables in the barangays
to entice households to segregate and store tradable waste materials.
 The recycling program needs to be strengthened by establishing a model for the community
to get involved in the development process. Although recycling is becoming a by-word, the
City LGU needs to promote alternatives that will encourage citizenry to do it properly. This
will help the community earn money on their recyclable wastes while generating job
opportunities.
 In some areas, households usually wash and air-dry residual waste such as durable
cellophane and polythene bags for re-use.
 The liquor bottles, particularly longneck and flat bottles, will be re-used as container for
home-made products such as coco vinegar, soy sauce, cooking oil and fermented fish and
shellfish. Plastic bottles and gallon jars will be re-used for storing water and other liquids.

Assistance the city will provide to the barangay

 Monitor the operation of established barangay and school MRFs;
 Training of barangay personnel on MRF management and waste handling;
 Technical capability enhancement for barangay officials, community leaders and barangay
personnel on the generation of SWM-related livelihoods; and
 Link with private entrepreneurs to establish recycling facilities in the barangay.

For Mixed Solid Waste/Residuals

The collection of residual wastes will be done based on set schedules and routes.

For barangays outside the current collection area, the set schedules will be based on the request
of Barangay Officials. Additional trips for residual waste collection in the barangays will be
entertained per request.

During collection time, the personnel in-charge for waste monitoring will constantly remind the
populace on the collection system and the “No Segregation, No Collection” Policy including
penalties for such offense. The supervisor or foreman will issue citation ticket to those that
exceeded 3 warnings.
Waste Segregation
Role of Barangays as Learning Centres
The City ENRO and Barangay Officials will set-up the barangay hall as a learning centre for solid
waste management. The barangay MRF will serve as model for demonstrating proper waste
segregation, recycling and composting.

Increased involvement of barangays in plan implementation will be required. Consequently,

barangays will be provided with technical assistance to establish their collection systems in
coordination with the City ENRO. Collection point system will be adopted where only residuals
and special waste will be collected.

Barangays will be required to collect only residuals and special wastes and brought to the
identified barangay pick-up points to be collected by the city collection service.

The collection of residuals and special wastes outside the current collection area (non-
component barangays) will only be made upon request. The BSWMCs will ensure the proper
segregation and collection of wastes.
Sample Materials Recovering Facilities

BRGY. KALANGANAN 2 MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITIES (MRF)

WITH VERMI COMPOSTING
Environmental Analysis for Compliance of ESWMP on Coastal Zone of Cotabato City

The establishment of monitoring stations in the coastal zone of Cotabato City is necessary to
determine the changes that will occur with respect to coliform count, salinity, chemical changes
and others. The data could serve as an indicator in monitoring the environmental programs
within the city of which SWM is one, if positive changes are happening as predicted.

SWM Monitoring

The City ENRO will be primarily responsible for monitoring the city’s SWM operations. It will be
supported by an independent Multi-Sectoral Monitoring & Evaluation team that will be
organized to evaluate and validate program, projects and activities.

The Division Chief concerned will submit quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports on SWM
operations to the City ENR Officer for presentation to the CESWM Board during board meetings.

After review, the Board will submit the report to the City Mayor, and the Sangguniang
Panlungsod. Copies of the report will be posted in the CENRO bulletin board. The Monitoring &
Evaluation Team will monitor the following;

 Enforcement: types of violations recorded for the period, number of violators

apprehended, number of citation tickets issued, total amount of fines and penalties
collected and assess the efficiency of the deputized SWM law enforcement teams;
 Waste collection and transport: estimated volume of waste collected from households
and other waste generators by type, status of compliance on the segregation
requirement and waste collection route and efficiency of vehicle fleet;
 Central MRF Operations: weight and volume of waste received, weight and volume of
recovered materials, weight or pieces of recyclables sold, weight and volume of
compost materials produced and disposed, and income generated from sale of
recyclables and compost, (if there are any);
 Barangay MRF Operations: Percent contribution of recyclables brought to MRF and to
the SLF, percent recovery efficiency;
 Disposal Facility Operations: Volume and weight of residual waste and special wastes;
 Collection of Garbage Fees and Fines: Total garbage fees and fines collected annually
from commercial and industrial establishments and institutions;
 IEC Campaign: Assessment of IEC activities and effectiveness.

The Monitoring & Evaluation Team will identify areas requiring attention/improvement and
make the necessary recommendations to the CESWM Board and the City ENRO for resolution
and immediate action.
IEC (Information, Education and Communication)

The City ENR Office will sustain the information and education campaign in all barangays.
Barangay Officials and/or their representatives will undergo trainors’ training focused on
inculcating knowledge and awareness on the importance of solid waste management.

The following goals will be pursued:

 Improve awareness on solid waste management focusing on waste segregation,

reduction, re-use and recycling;
 Training-seminars on the livelihood component of the SWM program;
 Production of print materials on how to convert waste into tradable products; and
 Development of captivating posters/slogans, and installation of the same in public areas

IEC Strategy
The installation of billboards advertising SWM related ordinances and slogans such as; “Ang
Malusog na Pangangatawan ay Makakamtan Kapag Malinis ang Kapaligiran”, “Paligid Ko, Nililinis
Ko”, “Basura Ko, Ayusin Ko, Dahil Mahal Ko ang Cotabato City” will be outspread to all
barangays. Other catchy slogans will be produced and improved to be more enticing to the
public.

Dialogues with special waste generators will be pursued to discuss the regulations and
guidelines in the disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes. This will include standard mitigating
measures to ensure that the septic vaults will not bring health and environmental problems.

Barangay Officials and community leaders will be given additional training on IEC to make them
perform better as change agents at the barangay level. This will give a leeway for the CENRO-IEC
Team to perform more effectively.

A team of student leaders will be organized. They will be trained in handling IEC campaigns, and
fielded within the collection areas. Also, a group of concerned citizens in each purok will be
organized and trained to initiate backyard composting as model for their neighbors to emulate.
They will be asked to constantly remind the neighborhood on the on-going policy on waste
segregation, diversion and backyard composting.

Owners/proprietors of business and industrial establishments are required to attend orientation

on SWM prior to the issuance of business permit. Likewise, integration of SWM lectures in the
elementary and high school level at the onset of the school year will open the student’s
awareness on the subject.

Purpose of IEC Activities

The significance of the program is understanding the social and environmental benefits,
nurturing the optimism of the learned community consequential to SWM initiatives. Also, it will
lead to understanding the ill-effects of improper waste disposal to the environment.
IEC Topics will be of the following
 Rationale behind waste segregation and reduction at source;
 Practical guides on how to reduce waste at source;
 Types of biodegradable, recyclable, residual and special waste;
 Proper handling of wastes and storage prior to collection;
 Backyard composting methods/technologies;
 Market matching for recyclables materials; and
 SWM-related ordinances, including penalties and incentives.

Understanding the rationale behind the SWM programs will motivate the populace to
implement what they comprehend. It will also lead to their involvement in the implementation
of SWM programs parallel to the support on the advocacy of the City LGU.

Audiences that will be targeted

Activities adhering to IEC campaign will be conducted in accordance to the capacity of the City
LGU. The IEC Team including student leaders and trained barangay officials will provide
assistance in SWM orientation to the following target groups:

 waste generators (all sectors);

 decision makers (City and Barangay Officials and Line Agencies);
 influence groups (People’s Organizations, Non-Government Organizations, Church and
Schools).

The approach will provide waste generators, decision makers and influence groups the
knowledge on the SWM programs. On this premise, they become sympathetic to the following
subjects and activities:

 Diversion of waste at source for recycling, re-use and composting. This will reduce the
volume of residual waste transported to the SLF. Thus, reducing operational costs while
generating job opportunities and allowing others to earn income;

 Orientation on Solid Waste Management to owners/proprietors of business

establishments. The activity will lead to the diversion of wastes generated from their
daily business operations;
 The integration of SWM lectures (using Lesson Plan Exemplars) in any
appropriate/related subject in the elementary and high school levels is desirable. The
strategy will lead the youth to the right direction that may influence the older citizenry
to do the same;
 Strengthening participation of the community, civic and business organizations in
environmental programs such as the annual coastal clean-up, tree-growing and
riverbank protection. Providing the knowledge on the purpose of the activity entice civic
and business organizations to join and/or sponsor future related activities;
  “Linis Barangay” contests will influence local leaders in the community to promote
positive actions that will help reduce waste generation. Trophies and cash awards in the
form of projects will be awarded to the winners during the Araw ng Kutabato
celebration;
 Dialogues and focus group discussions (FGD) with Purok/Barangay Leaders,
administrators of hospitals and clinics, religious and civil society organizations, and
media groups on Solid Waste Management (SWM) will help in keeping them abreast on
the programs of the City.

How the message will be coordinated with other agencies

Networking and Linkage

The City ENRO to be more effective in its mandate on Solid Waste Management needs to
enhance its linkages with the local communities to include professionals, civil society, NGO’s,
religious organizations, academe and other public and private institutions. This will help
coordinate related actions by conveying messages to other groups through the social media and
other means of communication.

Networking with other LGUs will keep the City ENRO abreast with new developments on solid
waste management.

Maintain linkages with National and Foreign Funding agencies is productive and will establish
credibility within the circle of organized environmental groups.

How IEC activities will support SWM program activities

Most IEC activities are geared on extending knowledge and awareness on solid waste
management. The IEC campaign will make use of tri-media: print, radio, and television including
personal interactions. To enlighten more constituents on the on-going and future SWM
programs, the following will be adopted:

 Production and distribution of print materials showing the ill effects of improper waste
disposal;
 Installation of billboards with SWM slogans and related Ordinances;
 Subscription of a 30-minute weekly program in local radio station; and
 Subscription of a daily 15-second plug in local cable TV.
 Enticing slogans will be used to ensure that messages on proper waste management,
vermicomposting and handling of common special wastes will reach the target
audience. The City LGU will encourage the participation of schools and private sectors to
develop posters and slogans. Posters and flyers will be displayed in lobbies of offices,
schools and establishments. The print materials will be shared also with the barangays
and other interested groups.
  Interpersonal approach will be adopted in behavior change communication and in
encouraging residents to organize purok-level dialogues on community- driven SWM.
Other seminars, technology forum and special events will be organized by the City LGU
for interested sectors.

Conclusion and Recommendation (Best Practice to be inserted)

 As by the executive summary stated : reduction of household and commercial compostable/bio-

degradable wastes will decrease overall waste by 62% , I therefore base my practical solutions
doable in household and small local scale from these.
 In terms of compostable a large portion of waste can be managed by proper composting
methods that will be outlined by IEC in Barangay Level.It is therefore necessary for every
institution particularly commercial and households to setup their own composts and in a
rotational basis to maximize compost soil generation and reduce collection volume. Rotation is a
method where a portion is filled with compost wastes and then the compost generator
(responsible stakeholder) will temporarily stop using it and then use another area for compost,
all the while it begins to decompost and then extracted, becoming usable again ,and the second
compost site will then cease to be used temporarily giving way to the first, in a cyclical basis. It
optimizes compost soil generation and reduces waste volume handled in barangay MRF.

Compost Site A (Filled

Compost Site B (used as
with compostables , and
a present compost after
then temporarily used
a period of about 3
as a compost site after a
months while biological
period of about 3
processes break down
months , move to Site B
Compost Site A , then
and water Site A with
after 3 months the role
used water enhancing
is switched )
decomposition process)
 Delineation between completed
decomposition and current
compost, you can put
compartments

Previous Compost

Vermicast/ Compost Soil

Current Compost

Compost Strainer

 In residuals another thing to that are not taken into account is the use of single use cups in the
Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) in 2017 . This should be taken into account so that
concrete solutions in the future is taken into account. Possible solution is total ban and use of
tumblers and jugs for water and drink containers.
 In terms of recyclables another important aspect in the recyclable composition is that it omits
rubber tires as another potential for recycling that are often just thrown away and even burned
that can result on respiratory problems apart from its impact on the environment. It can be used
for gardening as garden plots and pots.
Used Tires and Garbage (at the bottom) and Tires used
as plots for flower gardening (shown at the top)
REFERENCES

Ecological Solid Waste Management Plan of CotabatoCity ,2018-2027 –City ENRO