APFED Booklet on Good Practices and Innovative Activities 2005 ...

Philippines
2008
Award
Ecological Solid Waste Management Programme [ESWM]
Project Site Location
Santo Tomas Municipality, Davao del Norte
Background - Problems Addressed and Policy Responses
The waste generated in Santo Tomas is mainly organic;
and in 2003, 368 tons were generated, with 89% from
agro-industrial sources followed by recyclable waste from
residential sources. The lack of proper collection and
disposal facilities has exacerbated the waste problem. Thus,
the ESWM programme was established to promote waste
reduction, through enhanced public participation.
The itinerant buyers of recyclable wastes,
such as plastics and bottles around the
municipality
2009
2007 2008
2006
Project Outline - Objectives and Activities
A ten-year plan composed of education, engineering, enforcement and entrepreneurship was established
as a guiding framework. The education component promotes information and education to introduce the
programme to the public; the enforcement component lays out the regulations on non-segregated waste
disposal; and the third component, engineering, supports infrastructure and technical requirements such
as collection, transportation and disposal. Entrepreneurship supports various income-generation projects
from waste management, such as composting and recycling.
Impacts and Achievements
After four years of implementation, waste generation has decreased to 75% of the original 368 tons. This
reduction is attributed to the treatment of agro-industrial waste through composting as well as waste
segregation and recycling at the household level. Improved recycling facilities have also led to a 45%
waste diversion rate and have generated income from the sale of compost products and construction
materials made from waste. The success of the ESWM programme has earned Santo Tomas recognition
as a model SWM implementer. As such, it has attracted neighboring communities, municipalities, cities
and organizations to adopt the same SWM strategies.
Future Challenges
Although the municipal government has been successful in adopting practical strategies to address the
increasing amounts of waste generated and gained popular public support in its waste endeavours, the
sustainability of the programme remains a challenge. Institutionalisation of the ESWM programme and its
activities is needed in order to sustain the achievements.
General Information
Name of the Implementing Organisation: Municipality of Santo Tomas
Type of Organisation: Governmental Organisation
Contact: Mayor Maximo Estela
Municipality of Santo Tomas Municipal Hall Building Government Center, Fd. Rd. 3 Sto. Tomas,
Davao del Norte 8112 Philippines
Tel: (084) 829-0290 Fax: (084) 829-0290 E-mail: lgu_stt@stotomas.gov.ph
Project Reviewer (NetRes / Collaborators) that monitors the project:
Peachie Ann Aquino, Kitakyushu Urban Centre, IGES
E-mail: peachie.aquino@gmail.com
Area
Climate Change 3R Biodiversity & Ecosystem Water Capacity Development etc. Others
Award
Gold Silver Bronze Incentive
47