Improper Waste Disposal of Commercial Establishments at Smallville, Iloilo City

An Environmental Problem Investigatory Project Of:

Press Play Aban, Kathy Bte Berneza, Nikka Paula Jovero, Ayden Grace Panaguiton, Jeanz Evan Prequencia Jea Allyzah

I.

Introduction Waste segregation is one of the problems that the country is having for the past few years. Presidential Decree 825, implemented 1975, states that one of the principal aims of the New Society is to effect social, economic and political reform through discipline and order; a healthy citizenry is a vital factor in bringing about these reforms; and to attain these objectives it becomes the duty of every citizen and resident of the Philippines to keep his environment or surroundings clean and wholesome. Therefore, it is every Filipinos responsibility to keep his surroundings clean and this includes the bodies of water such as streams, rivers, and oceans. The Iloilo River flows from the town of Oton at Bataino Creek and supplies the most populated areas in the city, namely, the districts of La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo, Arevalo and the City Proper (mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com, 2012). One of the connecting bodies of water of the said river is the creek located in Smallville, Iloilo. The contamination of the creek in Smallville would also affect the water in the Iloilo River and would eventually pollute the water supply in the City.

II.

Problem Smallville Iloilo is composed of many commercial establishments that produce volumes of solid waste that should be disposed properly. Due to this fact, it became apparent that some of its establishments have been disposing their garbage in idle fishponds and land around the area. These unused fishponds could be breeding places of scavengers; moreover, improper waste disposal could lead to environmental problems such as water pollution and unhealthy surroundings. According to three interviewed nearby residents, these idle fish ponds are connected to a creek that flows to the Iloilo River. Therefore, garbage disposed in this area would eventually end up polluting our water supply.

The evidence:

The Researchers/ Investigators

Improper disposal of garbage

Integrated solid waste

Idle fishpond

Residents who are unaware of the health risks.

The route of contaminated water...

...flowing into the Iloilo River

ILOILO RIVER The route of the contaminated water from the site to the Iloilo River

The area at the back of El Dorado Water Park, Smallville, Iloilo City

The actual site

III.

Significance of the Study About 70% of the planet is covered in ocean. Ninety-eight percent of the water on the planet is in the oceans, and therefore is unusable for drinking because of the presence of salt. About two percent of the planet's water is fresh, but 1.6 percent of this is locked up in the polar ice caps and glaciers leaving us with less than one percent of water for consumption. As time goes by and as the population continues to increase, the demand of water will also increase. Hence, the main goal of this study is to prevent any further contamination of the supply of fresh water caused by wash-offs from improper disposal of garbage.

IV.

Solution Volumes of solid wastes from the commercial establishments in Smallville have affected the nearby bodies of water such as the idle fishponds, which were once salt beds that could be breeding places of mosquitoes and other scavengers. This should urge government agencies responsible to strictly implement PD 825 that was clearly violated and states the following: PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 825 November 7, 1975

PROVIDING PENALTY FOR IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE AND OTHER FORMS OF UNCLEANLINESS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHEREAS, one of the principal aims of the New Society is to effect social, economic and political reform through discipline and order; WHEREAS, a healthy citizenry is a vital factor in bringing about these reforms; and WHEREAS, to attain these objectives it becomes the duty of every citizen and resident of the Philippines to keep his environment or surroundings clean and wholesome; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree: Section 1. Any provision of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding, all citizens and residents of the Philippines;

all universities, colleges and schools and other similar institutions, private as well as public; all commercial and industrial establishments such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, cinema houses, public markets, department stores, groceries and the like; all public conveyances; all residential houses; and all other establishments of any kinds, shall undertake the cleaning of their own surroundings, their yards and gardens, as well as the canals, roads or streets in their immediate premises. All garbages, filth and other waste matters, shall be placed in the proper receptacles for the disposition thereof by garbage collectors. Section 2. Any person, who shall litter or throw garbage, filth, or other waste matters in public places, such as roads, canals esteros or parks, shall suffer an imprisonment of not less than 5 days nor more than one year or a fine of not less than P100 nor more than P2,000.00 or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Court or tribunal, without prejudice to the imposition of a higher penalty under any other law or decree. If the violator is a corporation, firm, or other corporate entities, the maximum penalty shall be imposed upon the president, manager, director or persons responsible for its operation. Section 3. Owners of idle lots in Greater Manila are required to keep their idle lots clean to prevent them from becoming the breeding places of mosquitoes, flies, mice, rats and other scavengers. In the event of their failure or inability to comply with this obligation, the government shall undertake the cleaning of said lots at the expense of the owners. The government may, through the Barangay Council, further utilize the land for its food production program. Section 4. The Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communications, with the assistance of health officials and local governments concerned, shall supervise the implementation of this Decree. Section 5. All provisions of laws, decrees, order or regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby amended or modified accordingly. Section 6. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Due to the situation recommendations were made:

presented

earlier,

the

following

solutions/

With accordance to Section 1, commercial establishments in Smallville should take responsibility in disposing their wastes properly, therefore it is suggested that a Solid Waste Management System among the tenants should be established such as a

Example of a drop-off station

Drop-off Station, where people leave their segregated wastes in an area to be picked-up by the collectors instead of travelling along the streets to pick them up individually. Also, it is suggested that a quarterly inspection of idle lands (also idle bodies of water within the area) to ensure cleanliness of the property and the health of the people as stated in Section 3. V. Conclusion The primary functions of government are to maintain order, settle conflicts, and protect the community. It may implement laws and establish various environmental protection programs to protect the environment but the responsibility of protecting the environment is the duty of every citizen. Any effort of the government would prove futile without the participation of its populace. Therefore the cheapest and most effective solution is the participation of everyone in caring for and protecting our environment especially our water supply.