Evaluation of Solid Waste Management System of Puerto Galera

Abstract

Puerto Galera has long been recognized as a tourist destination in the country. Capitalizing on its natural asset has been a major thrust of its local government. As such, tourism industry has been economically important to the municipality. The influx of tourists, both foreign and local that visits the municipality’s beaches and other tourism sites not only add up to the municipality’s income. It also induced the mass of wastes generated and produced in the area. In order to preserve its tourism capability, the municipality needs to have a sustainable and integrated solid waste management system. Implementing effective solid waste management, needless to say is an important component of a sustainable tourism effort. This research seeks to evaluate the solid waste management system of Puerto Galera. Evaluation is done in order to ascertain the level of awareness and participation of the locals as well as the efficiency of the measures implemented by the local government. Efficiency is measured based on the selected criteria from RA 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. Survey was conducted into 5 selected barangays of Puerto Galera. One hundred questionnaires comprising of 10 questions were distributed, 20 to each barangay. The survey is intended to find out the level of awareness and participation of the locals on how wastes management is carried out in their municipality. This study focuses on the aspects of management of collection particularly that of frequency of collection schedule among barangays. In addition, it also tackles the issue on the allocation of budget and the transfer and disposal of wastes specifically the handling of the dumpsite. It discusses the community-based initiatives among barangays in implementing a sustainable and integrated solid waste management system. Above all, it talks about the cooperation in between the locals and non-govemment organizations that utilize interactive and efficient solid waste management.