Chapter I

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

The excessive production and use of plastic have been widely impactful to

the surroundings. According to the United Nations Environment Programme

(UNEP) 2015 study, Philippines wastes 6,237,653 kg of plastic per day and 81%

of these are mismanaged (Tantiangco, 2018). These plastic wastes can be found

littered on the ground, bodies of water and infrastructures.

Various government and non-government organizations from local to

international sectors have created programs, advocacies and movements that

may lessen the production and use of plastic. One of the common presented

solutions is banning the use of plastic.

General Santos City’s Ordinance 03 Series of 2014, prohibits the use of

plastic bags as packaging for wet and dry goods. It was continuously

strengthened as years go by. With this, schools and other private sectors abide

to this ordinance by banning plastic in their campus and properties. Notre Dame-

Siena College of General Santos City also implemented the “no plastic” policy

effective October 14, 2019.

With the implementation of the policy, changes in the surroundings should

be evident to the students and personnel of the school.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to gather observations if the no plastic policy will be able

to make changes in the Notre Dame-Siena College of General Santos City’s

environment and cleanliness.

1. How will the policy make significant changes in the school’s cleanliness?

2. How will the policy improve the quality of the school’s environment

a. Physical; and

b. Inhabitants’ involvement?

Scope and Delimitation

The research will be limited to the observations of 15 senior high students

who are SWEM (Solid Waste Ecological Management) officers and SSG

(Supreme Students’ Government) and 10 teaching and non-teaching personnel

that are purposely selected in Notre Dame-Siena College of General Santos City

(ND-SCGSC) on the implementation of “no plastic” policy. The selected students

assist in the implementation of the policy and the selected personnel help to

evaluate the surroundings during the implementation of the policy. The

observation that will be gathered focuses on the cleanliness and environment of

the school in the aspects of physical and inhabitants’ involvement. The

observations that will be gathered are within the span of three months after the

implementation of the policy.

The interviews will be conducted in the campus of ND-SCGSC on January

13, 2020.

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Significance of the Study

The result of this study will be beneficial to the following:

Students. They will be aware on how the policy affects the cleanliness

and environment of the school.

Personnel. The information will allow them to reflect on haw effective the

policy is based on the observations of the school.

Administration. They will be able to evaluate how effective the policy is

based on the observations gathered.

Researchers. They will be able to share the gathered information to the

students, personnel, and administration of the school. They will acquire their

grade and pass the subject, Practical Research I.

Future Researchers. They will have reference on their studies related to

this research.

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