THE ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE

MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000

(RA 9003)
ASHLEY DENISE ADORA L. IGNACIO
OIC, ESWMS / Regional Executive Assistant

WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (WEAP(, INC. DENR – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU (DENR – EMB)
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
• What is RA 9003?
• RA 9003 Institutional Mechanism
• NSWM Framework
• Salient Features of RA 9003
• Segregation at Source (SAS)
• Conceptual Framework of RA 9003
• Prohibited Acts and Corresponding Fines and Penalties
• Negative Impacts of Improper Solid Waste Management
• Solid Waste by the Numbers
• Challenges in the Implementation of RA 9003
• Updates in the Policies for the Implementation of RA 9003
• What Can We Do?
The Payatas Tragedy
What is RA 9003?
• Otherwise known as the
Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000
• First Law signed by the
then President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo
• Passed by the Philippine
Congress on 20
December 2000
• Approved on 26 January
2001
• Took Effect on 16
February 2001
What is SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT?

• SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT:

“shall refer to the discipline associated with the control of

generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport,
processing, and disposal of solid wastes in a manner that is in
accord with the best principles of public health, economics,
engineering, conservation, aesthetics, and other
environmental considerations, and that is also responsive to
public attitudes”
Institutional Mechanism
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM
• Section 4 of the RA 9003 established the NATIONAL SOLID WASTE
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION (NSWMC)
• The NSWMC is the major agency tasked to implement RA 9003 and is
chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR)
• The Commission prescribes policies to effectively achieve the
objectives of RA 9003
• It is composed of 17 Commission members, fourteen (14)
representatives from government agencies and (3) three
representatives from the private sector.
However….
RA11898 or the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022
amended this:
From 17 Commission members, fourteen (14) representatives from government
agencies and (3) three representatives from the private sector now:

13 new members (8 NGA + 5 Private):

• "(1) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
• "(2) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);
• "(3) Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
• "(4) Department of Health (DOH);
• "(5) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
• "(6) Department of Agriculture (DA);
• "(7) Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA); and
• "(8) Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.
NSWMC MEMBERS
• Private Sector:
• "(a) Three (3) representatives from nongovernment
organizations (NGOs) with a track record on solid waste
management or waste reduction, recycling and resource
recovery;
• "(b) A representative from the recycling, composting, or
resource recovery and processing industry; and
• "(c) A representative from the manufacturing industry, packaging
industry, or obliged enterprises;
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM
(Local Level)

City/Municipal SWM Board

Sec.12 Establishment of
City/Municipal SWM Board

Barangay SWM Committee

Sec. 6 of RA 9003 IRR
Creation of Barangay SWM
Provincial SWM Board
Board
Sec.11 Establishment of
Provincial SWM Board
NSWM Framework
NSWM FRAMEWORK

Partnership enterprises as dictated by policy,

economies of scale and in partnership with
Avoid

Reduce

Reuse
First
preferred
Recycle
LGUs

options
Municipalities/ Cities
Recover

Treatment Last
preferred
options
Residuals Management

Direct Responsibility Influencing Responsibility

SWM Hierarchy
Salient Features
of RA 9003
SALIENT FEATURES OF RA 9003
Section 10
Role of LGUs in Solid Waste Management
 the LGUs shall be primarily responsible for the implementation and
enforcement of the provisions of this Act within their respective
jurisdictions. Segregation and collection of solid waste shall be
conducted at the barangay level specifically for biodegradable,
compostable and reusable wastes: Provided, that the collection of
non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the
responsibility of the municipality or city.

Section 16
Local Government Solid Waste Management Plans
 the province, city or municipality, through its local solid waste
management boards, shall prepare its respective 10-year solid
waste management plans.
SALIENT FEATURES OF RA 9003
Section 21
Mandatory Segregation of Solid Wastes
 segregation of wastes shall
primarily be conducted at the
source, these includes the
household, institutional,
industrial, commercial and
agricultural source.
SALIENT FEATURES OF RA 9003
Section 30
Prohibition on the Use of Non-Environmentally Acceptable
Products / Packaging (NEAP)
 No person owning, operating or conducting a commercial
establishment in the country shall sell or convey at retail or
possess with the intent to sell or convey at retail any products
that are placed, wrapped or packaged in on packaging which
is not environmentally acceptable packaging. The Commission
shall determine a phaseout period after proper consultation and
hearing with the stakeholders or with the sectors concerned. The
presence in the commercial establishment of
nonenvironmentally acceptable packing shall constitute a
rebuttable presumption of intent to sell or convey the same at
retail to customers. A violation of this Section shall be sufficient
grounds for the revocation, suspension, denial or non-renewal of
any license for the establishment in which the violation occurs.
SALIENT FEATURES OF RA 9003
Section 32
Establishment of LGU Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
 there shall be an established MRF in every barangay or cluster of
barangays.
Section 37
Prohibition Against the Use of Open Dumps for Solid Waste
 no open dumps shall be established and operated, nor any
practice or disposal of solid waste by any person, including LGUs
which constitutes the use of open dumps for solid wastes
Section 41
Criteria for Establishment of Sanitary Landfill
 sets the minimum criteria for the establishment of Sanitary Landfill
-liners, leachate collection and treatment system, gas control and
recovery system, groundwater monitoring well system, soil cover,
closure procedure and its post-closure care.
SALIENT FEATURES OF RA 9003
Section 42
Operating Criteria for Sanitary Landfills
 such as disposal site records, water quality monitoring of surface,
ground waters and effluent, documentation of approvals,
determinations and other requirements
Section 48
Prohibited Acts
 Discusses the different acts prohibited under RA 9003 and the
corresponding Fines and Penalties
Section 49
Fines and Penalties
 Discusses the corresponding Fines and Penalties of Section 48
SALIENT FEATURES OF RA 9003
Section 57
Business and Industry Role
 The Commission shall encourage commercial and industrial
establishments, through appropriate incentives other than tax
incentives, to initiate, participate and invest in integrated
ecological solid waste management projects, to manufacture
environment-friendly products, to introduce, develop and adopt
innovative processes that shall recycle and re-use materials,
conserve raw materials and energy, reduce waste, and prevent
pollution, and to undertake community activities to promote and
propagate effective solid waste management practices
Segregation at Source (SAS)
SEGREGATION AT SOURCE
BIODEGRADABLE WASTES / NABUBULOK
NA BASURA biodegradable wastes such as food
waste, garden waste, animal waste
and human waste. They undergo
biological degradation under
controlled conditions and can be
turned into compost (soil conditioner
or organic fertilizer) by mixing them
with soil, water, air and biological
additives/activators (optional).
Examples are:
·Fruit and · Seeds
vegetable peelings · Flowers
·Leftover foods · Twigs
·Vegetable trims · Branches
·Fish/fowl/meat/an · Stems
imal entrails
· Soft shells
 COMPOSTING

Brooke’s
Point,
Palawan
Sablayan,
Occidental Mindoro
RECYCLABLE WASTES / NARERESIKLO NA
BASURA
Recyclable material shall refer to any
waste material retrieved from the
waste stream and free from
contamination that can still be
converted into suitable beneficial use
or for other purposes, including, but
not limited to, newspaper, ferrous
scrap metal, non-ferrous scrap metal,
used oil, corrugated cardboard,
aluminum, glass, office paper, tin cans
and other materials as may be
determined
SPECIAL WASTES / NAKALALASON NA
BASURA
Special wastes shall refer to
household hazardous wastes such as
paints, thinners, household batteries,
lead-acid batteries, spray canisters
and the like. These include wastes
from residential and commercial
sources that comprise of bulky
wastes, consumer electronics, white
goods, yard wastes that are collected
separately, batteries, oil, and tires.
RESIDUAL WASTES / DI-NARERESIKLO NA
BASURA Residual wastes are solid waste
materials that are non-compostable
and non-recyclable. It should be
disposed ecologically through a long-
term disposal facility or sanitary
landfill
Examples:
·Sanitary napkins
·Disposable diapers
·Worn-out rugs
·Cartons which contain a plastic lining
usually used for milk and juice
containers
·Ceramics
·Candy wrappers/sachets
·Other soiled materials that cannot be
composted and recycled
PROCESSING & Paper, cardboards, cartons, tires, food wrappers,
RECOVERY PET bottles, glass bottles, plastic spoons
Segregation at Source
Conceptual Framework
of RA 9003
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF RA 9003

Biodegradable Recyclable Special Residual

Wastes Wastes Wastes Wastes

Separate
Collection
Schedule or
Use of
Compart-
mentalized
BARANGAY Vehicle
MRF SLF

recycling
TREATER
GARDENS/ JUNKSHOPS/
FARMS RECYCLING PLANT

BARANGAY’S Role CITY/MUNICIPALITY’S Role

What is a MATERIALS RECOVERY
FACILITY (MRF)?

a place where collected segregated wastes are brought

for final sorting. It is also a place where the segregated
recyclables are stored separately according to type i.e.
paper, plastics, metal, etc. until they are sold to junk
dealers or recyclers. The MRF is also a place where
processing of biodegradable wastes into compost is
being done.
What is an MRF?
• Section 33. Guidelines for Establishment of Materials
Recovery Facility.

Materials recovery facilities shall be designed to receive, sort,

process, and store compostable and recyclable material
efficiently and in an environmentally sound manner. The
facility shall address the following considerations:

(a) The building and/or land layout and equipment must be

designed to accommodate efficient and safe materials
processing, movement, and storage; and

(b) The building must be designed to allow efficient and safe

external access and to accommodate internal flow.
 Concepcion, Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro

Panique, Odiongan, Romblon Panique, Odiongan, Romblon

MRFs in Establishments
What is a SANITARY LANDFILL (SLF)?
“shall refer to a waste disposal site designed,
constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that
exerts engineering control over significant potential
environmental impacts arising from the development
and operation of the facility”

Related Guidelines:
• DENR DAO 2006-10: Guidelines on the
Categorized Final Disposal Facilities
(Sanitary Landfills)
• NSWMC Resolution No. 64, series of
2013: Adoption of Modified Guidelines
on Site Identification Criteria and
Suitability Assessment Procedure for
Sanitary Landfills
Prohibited Acts and
Corresponding Fines
and Penalties
Section 48 and 49 of RA 9003
Section 49 of RA 9003 says that…
Negative Impacts of Improper
Solid Waste Management
Negative Impacts of Improper
Solid Waste Management

Leachate is the water that collects contaminants as it trickles

through wastes which in open dumpsites results in hazardous
substances entering surface, ground water or soil.
Negative Impacts of Improper
Solid Waste Management

Trash Slide triggered by Typhoon Nanmadol at the Irisan Dumpsite in Baguio City in year 2012.
Negative Impacts of Improper
Solid Waste Management

CLOGGING OF STORM DRAINS

CAUSING FLOODS
Negative Impacts of Improper
Solid Waste Management

CONTRIBUTES TO MARINE DEBRIS

Negative Impacts of Improper
Solid Waste Management
DANGERS TO MARINE LIFE
Negative Impacts of Improper
Solid Waste Management
HEALTH IMPACTS OF IMPROPER SWM

Murine Typhus
Fever
Summer
Infectious Diarrhea Typhoid Fever
Jaundice Or Malaria
Weil’s Disease Tuberculosis Diarrhea
Yellow Fever
Food Poisoning Anthrax Dysentery
Elephantiasis
Chorio-lepto Ophthalmia Tuberculosis
Encephalitis
Meningitis
Intestinal Anthrax
Dengue Fever
Trichinosis Worms
Food Poisoning
Poliomyelitis
Negative Impacts of Improper
Solid Waste Management
HEALTH IMPACTS OF IMPROPER SWM
Burning of waste releases toxic
gases.
Residue from burning can
contaminate the soil and
groundwater and can enter the
human food chain through
crops and livestock. In addition,
certain chemicals released by
burning can accumulate in the
fats of animals and then in
humans as we consume meat,
fish and dairy products.
Solid Waste by
the Numbers
SOLID WASTE BY THE NUMBERS
Percentage Composition from Sources of
Solid Waste in the Philippines
4%
Residential
12%
Commercial
27% 57% Institutional

Industrial

Source:Senate Economic Planning Office (2019)

From: Jambeck, Jenna, et al. "Plastic Waste Inputs from Land Into the Ocean." Science 347.6223 (2015): 768-771
 Waste estimates for 2010 for the top 20 countries
ranked by mass of mismanaged plastic waste

From: Jambeck, Jenna, et al. "Plastic Waste Inputs from Land Into the Ocean." Science 347.6223 (2015): 768-771
SOLID WASTE BY THE NUMBERS
Percentage by Weight of Waste
Classification in the Philippines
2%
Biodegradables
18% Recyclables

28% 52% Special/Hazardous

Residuals

Source:NSWMC (2015)
Challenges in the Implementation
of RA 9003
CHALLENGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF RA 9003
• General Public’s indifference when it comes to proper
solid waste management
• Sachet Culture
• Formulation and approval of the 10-year Solid Waste
Management Plans of LGUs and Provinces
• Solid Waste Management Boards of some LGUs and
some Provinces are not active or is not even established
• Lack of enforcement of ordinances
• Limited financial resources
• Closure of Open and Controlled Dumpsites
CHALLENGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF RA 9003
• Non/Low Operationalization of MRFs
• Low recycling rate in the country
• Proper operation and management of SLFs
• Lack of personnel and/or no plantilla position and
permanent Office for MENRO
• Segregation at Source not 100% implemented in the
waste generator level
Updates in the Policies for the
Implementation of
RA 9003
 DAO 2019-21
Guidelines Governing Waste-to-
Energy (WtE) Facilities for the
Integrated Management of Municipal
Solid Wastes

Provides guidelines on the

evaluation, establishment,
operation and decommissioning
of Waste-to-Energy facilities
utilizing municipal solid wastes.
Resolution No. 1363,
series of 2020
Resolution directing the DENR to
prepare and implement the banning
of the use of unnecessary single-use
plastics by National Government
Agencies (NGAs), Local Government
Units (LGUs) Offices and other
Government Controlled Offices
Resolution No. 1364,
series of 2020
Adopting the Interim Guidelines on the
Management of COVID-19 Related Health Care
Waste
Issued to ensure:
a. All wastes are properly segregated and
not mixed with other domestic solid
waste
b. Public health and environment are
protected
c. Waste workers will not be exposed to
environmental and health hazards
Resolution No. 1428,
series of 2021
Resolution declaring the plastic
softdrink straw and plastic
coffee stirrer as non-
environmentally acceptable
products
Resolution No. 1429,
series of 2021
Resolution enjoining all National
Government Agencies to Provide
Yellow Bins in their Respective
Premises for the Proper Storage of
Household Health Care Wastes and to
Coordinate with their Respective LGUs
for the collection, transport,
treatment, and disposal of such
wastes.
 RA 11898 or Extended
Producer Responsibility
Act of 2022
To adopt and institutionalize Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) mechanism as an environmental
policy and practical approach to:
➢ efficient waste management, focusing on 3R
➢ development of environment - friendly
products
that advocate the internationally accepted principles
on sustainable consumption and production,
circular economy, and
➢ producers' full responsibility throughout the
life cycle of their product, especially its post-
consumer or end-of-life stage.
What Can We Do?
AVOID / MINIMIZE Generating Waste!

Practice the 3Rs: REDUCE, RE-USE,

RECYCLE!

•Avoid buying disposable goods such

as throwaway razors, etc.
•Avoid the use of unnecessary
packaging.
•Consider reusable items;
•Maintain & repair durable products;
•Reuse bags, containers, and
reusable items;
AVOID / MINIMIZE Generating Waste!

Practice the 3Rs:

REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYCLE!
• Borrow, rent, or share items used
infrequently;
• Sell or donate goods instead of
throwing them out;
• Choose recyclable products and
containers;
• Select products made from recyclable
materials.
• Compost biodegradable wastes;
2018 ICC Philippines 2019 ICC Philippines
Report Summary Report Summary
RA 9003 can be summarized as:
“RA 9003 declares the policy of the state in
adopting a systematic, comprehensive and
ecological solid waste management program
that ensures the protection of public health and
the environment and the proper segregation,
collection, transport, storage, treatment and
disposal of solid waste through the formulation
and adoption of best environmental practices.”1

1 Albert Aquino, Jamaica Angelica Derequito and Meliza Festejo-Abeleda. "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act: Environmental
Protection Through Proper Solid Waste Practices." 09 December 2013. FFTC Agricultural Policy Platform.
<https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/588#:~:text=RA%209003%20declares%20the%20policy,waste%20through%20the%20formulation%20and>.
 Speaker:
PICTURE ASHLEY DENISE ADORA L. IGNACIO
OIC, ESWMS / Regional Executive Assistant
Environmental Management Bureau – MIMAROPA Region

WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (WEAP(, INC. DENR – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU (DENR – EMB)