The problem on municipal solid waste management is one of the major concerns of the city of Danao. A study on the formulation of a municipal solid waste management (MSWM) plan to guide the local government of Danao City was conducted. The volume and the kind and characteristics of solid waste generated by the residents, commercial and industrial establishments were determined. The existing solid waste management system was analyzed to determine the action plan to be undertaken by the local government. The volume of solid waste generated is approximately 30.5 cubic meters or 24.4 tons per day for a population of 52,502 in the service area of the solid waste management system. The per capita solid waste generated is about 0.46 kilograms per day. The cost of collecting and disposing this municipal solid waste is equal to PhP3,703,309.83 as of 1999. Danao City spent PhP0.21 per person per day to collect and dispose the solid waste. The disposal site of the municipal solid waste is at the 2 hectare open dumpsite at Barangay [village] Guinacot, Danao City located about 5 kilometers from the City Hall. The solid waste management strategies identifed were; (a) waste reduction - reuse, waste segregation, collection charges, removal of the drop-off garbage receptacle and materials exchange; (b) recycling - establishment of deposit centers for materials to be recycled, composting and community organization; (c) solid waste collection management - collection of segregrated materials, enhancing side walk collection; (d) information, education and communication - enhancing the waste management education in learning institutions, information and awareness program, establishment of waste information network, solid waste database, technical missions, study tours; and (e) disposal and residual management - monitoring and evaluation of the utilization of disposal site, continuing identification of waste disposal system

Gift

The prospect of bringing together various government institutions in Cabagan, Isabela [Philippines] was explored to organized a community-based solid waste management system in order to save the Cagayan River. The river is used as a dumping ground of sewage and solid wastes from towns along its banks. The study also attempted to initiate discussions among partner institutions to propose an inter-institutional body for a solid waste management (SWM) program. DENR [Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources], LGU [Local Government Unit] and ISU [Isabela State Univ.] have created programs in environmental awareness and waste management in the past. Collaboration among these agencies was therefore deemed necessary to intensify efforts. Findings showed that waste management programs were hindered by the following: 1. lack of public awareness on waste management programs; 2. no sustainable commitment of DENR, LGU and ISU in their campaign activities; 3. absence of inter-institutional collaboration; 4. an indifference toward the SWM programs at the grassroot level; and 5. lack of funding and logistic support. Preliminary interviews with various agencies showed that LGU, DENR-CENRO, DECS Cabagon District and Milagros District Hospital have solid waste management programs but these were not yet effective in addressing problems on solid waste disposal in Cabagan. The inter-institutional collaboration approach for solid waste management was acceptable to most agencies interviewed. In an interview with 105 household/respondents, 82 (majority) claimed that their waste disposal method was by burning, and only 15 admitted to dumping their waste