Solid Waste Management

Laws and Regulations

Republic Act 9003 (RA 9003)

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
DAO 2001-34: Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9003.
Section 37: Mandated closure or conversion of all open dumpsites to Controlled Disposal Facilities by February 16, 2004.
All Controlled Disposal Facilities shall be deemed closed and phased-out by February 16, 2006.
Scope: Defines powers and functions of DENR, DTI, LGUs, and rights/obligations of stakeholders in implementing ecological solid waste management.

Republic Act 6969 (RA 6969)

Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.
Covers hazardous wastes, including healthcare throwaways.
DAO 1992-29: Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 6969.

Republic Act 7160

Local Government Code of 1991 (LGCP).
Enjoins LGUs to enforce sanitation laws and prepare solid waste management programs.
Section 17: Mandates barangays and municipalities to provide solid waste collection and management services.
Section 3, Article 1: Encourages private sector participation in local governance.

Other Relevant Laws and Orders

RA 6957 as amended by RA 7718 (BUILD-OPERATE-TRANSFER LAW): Allows private sector to implement solid waste management projects.
DAO 1998-50: Adopting Landfill Site Identification and Screening Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Facilities.
DAO 1998-49: Technical Guidelines for Municipal Solid Waste Management.
DAO 1994-28: Amending Annex A of DAO 94-28 includes used oil as a separate category and prohibits importation of tanker sludge.
Memorandum Circulars (#88, #06, #39, #30): Various directives related to waste management tasks and systems.
Section 2388, Revised Administrative Code: Sets general powers of city and municipal councils to enact ordinances on health and safety.
Executive Order # 32: Establishes beautification committees.
Proclamation 2149: Defines the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system, including solid waste disposal projects.
Presidential Decree 1586: Establishes an EIS system.
Executive Order # 432: Enforces penalties for improper garbage disposal under Presidential Decree No. 825.
Presidential Decree 1160: Vests authority in Barangay Captains to enforce pollution and environmental control laws.
Presidential Decrees 1151, 1152, 984, and 856: Philippine Environmental Policy, Environmental Code, Pollution Control Law, and Sanitation Code respectively.
Presidential Decree 825: Provides penalties for improper disposal of garbage (imprisonment of 5 days to 1 year OR a fine of PhP100.00 to PhP2,000.00 OR BOTH).
Presidential Decree 67: Water Code of the Philippines.
Presidential Decree 552: Prescribes sanitation requirements for establishments catering to the traveling public.
Republic Act 3931: Pollution Control Law (1976).
Commonwealth 383: Water Pollution.
DAO 2006-10: Guidelines on the Categorized Final Disposal Facilities (Sanitary Landfill).

Solid Waste Management Definition

The discipline associated with the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing, and disposal of solid wastes in a manner that aligns with public health, economics, engineering, conservation, aesthetics, environmental considerations and public attitudes.

Functional Elements of Solid Waste Management

A. Waste Generation: Gathering data on waste sources, nature, and amounts. Determining current practices at the source for designing an integrated SWM system.
B. On-Site Storage: Storing solid waste properly before collection. Features: (a) Proper containment to avoid health hazards, (b) Easy collection, (c) Aesthetic appeal.
C. Collection: Regular gathering of waste from storage sites and pick-up points, hauling to transfer stations or final disposal sites. Collection is the most expensive element (40-80% of costs).
D. Transfer and Transport: Using intermediate collection sites (