SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY OF THE PROPOSED SANITARY LANDFILL
The issue of social acceptability is one of the prime factors considered in the selection of the site for the proposed sanitary landfill facility. In many instances, people resist the idea of their community becoming a receptacle of wastes. Solid waste is associated with filth and foul odor; hence, the people’s negative attitude is normally evident. This resistance may be aggravated by lack of understanding on the mitigating features of a sanitary landfill.
Perception Survey
It is in this context that a perception survey, key informant interviews and community meetings were conducted in Barangay Aglalana, Poblacion Ilawod and Ilaya, Arac, Man-it and Sablogon. The objectives of the survey are:
- To determine the socio-economic status of the affected families within the impact areas;
- To gather and evaluate the people’s insights on the environmental condition within their barangay regarding garbage collection and disposal;
- To determine the people’s level of awareness, perception and acceptability of the proposed sanitary landfill;
- To identify potential socio-economic issues that needs to be addressed prior to the implementation of the proposed project;
Outcome of the Survey
Survey results show that community acceptance of the plan to establish a sanitary landfill in the selected site is high. Eighty four percent (84%) of the respondents responds favorably to the proposal to establish a sanitary landfill in Barangay Aglalana. Meanwhile, 16% expressed no opinion on the subject.
The remoteness of location, and its distance from human settlements (i.e. the nearest house is approximately about 200-300 meters away), is the primary basis for the project’s social acceptability. There are only four existing domiciles, located within a 400-meter radius. The opportunity for employment and establishment of related development projects in the Barangay are seen as advantages, i.e., road construction and water supply development. Increased accessibility of the area is perceived as a favorable factor for the establishment of a sanitary landfill in the selected site. These findings have been validated during the public hearings facilitated by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Team and CENRO on July 27, 2005. Subsequently, the project was favorably endorsed by the City Council and the Barangay Council of Aglalana in October 2005.
Socio-Economic Benefits
Without a sanitary landfill, the City of Passi will be unable to fulfill the mandates of RA 9003 and withitscurrent pratice of disposing wastes in theexisting dumpsite, will continue to violate the law’s provisions. Since the current dumpsite is due for closure, the city needs to establish a sanitary landfill to meet the demands of its growing population and economy. The time frame for such a measure is clearly spelled out in RA 9003. The environmental and political costs involved in not disposing wastes properly are enormous.
The establishment of a sanitary landfill generates the following socio-economic benefits:
Health benefits
Disposal of wastes in the open dumpsite, along roads and waterways pose dangers to health. Leachate contamination of the groundwater is a major health risk.
With the establishment of a sanitary landfill, health risks can be minimized; especially, if it is properly operated. The installation of a liner system, waste water treatment, hazardous waste management and daily covering of wastes will minimize the contamination of the groundwater, air pollution and the proliferation of insects and pests that can cause serious health problems.
People’s Environmental Consciousness
Vital to the establishment the sanitary landfill is the conduct of information, education, and public involvement activities designed to raise people’s level of consciousness on environmental protection. Projects on composting and material recovery will instill values of waste segregation, recycling and reuse. Raising people’s knowledge and awareness of the various integrated components of a solid waste management program, coupled with strict enforcement of rules and policies on waste management, are expected to improve compliance and positive attitude of the residents of Passi City towards waste disposal and management. Several initiatives may be implemented to bring out positive attitudinal changes towards protecting the environment.
Shared Responsibility
In the past, solid waste management has been the sole responsibility of the LGU. The implementation of an ecological solid waste management program with a sanitary landfill as an essential component, changes the perspective of LGUs by putting emphasis on the need to optimize LGU resources. Issues on the long-term benefits from investments by prolonging the lifespan of the sanitary landfill come to a focus. In the process, active participation of the various stakeholders in managing solid wastes is being promoted. Implementation of LGU strategies such as “waste segregation at source”, “household composting” and “material recovery at the barangay level”, are among those programs that will encourage public participation on waste management. In the long run, solid waste management shall become a responsibility of all individuals in the community by choice.
Employment Generation
The establishment of the sanitary landfill will generate regular employment for at least eight (8) persons who will operate and manage the facility on the day- to- day basis. This excludes those persons who will be contracted to operate the composting and material recovery facilities, who will be earning on commission a basis. Promoting segregation at source shall enhance recycling and composting activities. Additional employment opportunities may arise from increased economic activities in the informal sector.
Additional Livelihood Opportunities
Once the sanitary landfill is operating and the other components of the solid management programs will be in place, several livelihood opportunities may be developed. Trading of recyclables (wholesale or retail), product development out of “wastes”, vermi-culture, bio-intensive gardening and natural farming are among the many possible income generation activities that interested persons may undertake.. These activities will not only generate income but will also ensure sustainable environmental protection.
Revenue Generation
The proposal of imposing solid waste management fees of P100/ year per urban household in Passi City or 30 centavos a day or P 9.00/ month and an average of P500.00 per year from commercial and industrial establishments will generate at least P546,000 and P548,000.00 per year respectively. In addition, the composting facility is expected to generate approximately P 1.1 million per year and P70,000.00 from tipping fees from private garbage collectors. These revenues will be sufficient to cover for the P1.7 million annual budget for the sanitary landfill operation. It must be noted that the garbage fee mandate is not primarily intended to generate profit but to provide and ensure more effective and sustainable delivery of solid waste management programs. Expenses for collection and payment of loan remain to be shouldered by the LGU. NSO data on household income and expenditure shows that 2.7 % of the incomes are spent for tobacco and alcohol, which is higher than the required fee for garbage.
