CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The birth of modernized generation emerged as the human race starts to develop and
produce machineries that deplete man power to acquire and support his needs. From that onwards,
high demand of food and other essentials are made to sustain the necessities of daily living. In this
rapidly urbanizing global society and increasing of population, there has been a rise in the amount of
waste being generated daily. High income countries produce the most waste per capita, while low-
income countries produce the least solid waste per capita (Bhada-Tata, 2012). In a report of the
World Bank Group (WBG), current global Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generation levels are
approximately 1.3 billion tons per year, and are expected to increase to approximately 2.2 billion
tons per year by 2025 (Bhada-Tata, 2012). The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
states that “solid waste” means any garbage or refuse, sludge from wastewater treatment plant, or
air pollution control facility and other discarded material, accumulated from industrial, commercial,
mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities (United States Environmental
Protection Agency, 2017). Nearly everything thrown over is some kind of waste.

Solid waste is one of the most critical one from waste management point of view, as without
proper disposal it can cause air, land, and water pollution; odor, spread of different types of vector-
borne diseases, and aesthetic deterioration of the environment (De Vivo, et al., 2011). In September
1994, an outbreak of pneumonic plague struck Surat, India where the infectious disease claimed the
lives of 56 people and at least 100 people underwent treatment. The outbreak was one of the most
serious health cases reported in the world and made the government officials of the city declare an
international public health emergency. The reasons for the outbreak of plague at Surat were
attributed to the unhealthy sewerage conditions and poor sanitary conditions caused by mounds of
uncollected garbage (Pallipparambil, 2005).
Moreover, improper garbage disposal poses a serious threat to nature. The following are
some of the threats caused by improper garbage disposal: soil contamination, air contamination,
and water contamination. Soil contamination occurs when chemicals, such as hydrocarbons and
heavy metals find their way into the earth, altering the natural soil environment (Soil contamination,
2014). Water contamination occurs when wastes end up in bodies of water and will negatively
change the chemical composition of the water. The contamination will affect all ecosystems existing
in the water. On the other hand, air contamination has an adverse effect in air's chemical
composition. It generates harmful gases like methane which is much more effective than carbon
dioxide as a greenhouse gas, leading to climate change that may effect to destruction of atmosphere
of the earth or abnormality of weather condition (Improper waste disposal, 2015).
Due to the alarming conditions set by massive solid waste generation, solid waste
management legislations and practices were formed. In the Philippines, Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9003,
otherwise known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 mandates to provide an
ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and
incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating funds therefore,
and for other purposes. The law emphasizes solid waste avoidance and volume reduction through
source reduction and waste minimization measures, with the protection of public health and the
environment as the primary goal (Sanchez, 2015). This act provides the proper management and
segregation of solid waste to lessen its immense growth.
Davao Oriental, a province of Region XI has been an advocate of the implementation of
Section 10 of the Republic Act 9003 which states that "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". The provincial
government has conducted conventions and trainings regarding this matter. On March 16, 2016, the
province conducted a training activity: "Trainor's Training for the Capacitation of Barangay Officials
in the Implementation Including the 3 Aspects of RA 9003" wherein one of their primary objectives is
to strengthen the roles and responsibilities of the local government units especially barangay
officials in the implementation of RA 9003.
Davao Oriental comprises of one (1) city and ten (10) municipalities namely: Mati City,
Municipality of Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga, Cateel. Boston, Lupon, San Isidro, Governor
Generoso and Banaybanay. Manay is a second class municipality in the province of Davao Oriental
and its total population as of 2015 reached 42,960 (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2015). Its
economy has vastly developed through time due to its prosperous tourism industry. With that, it is
expected to have an increased growth in the production of waste. As a matter of fact, Manay is the
second highest waste generating municipality of Davao Oriental with O.32 Kg/capita/day and has
accumulated a total of 12,984.64 kilograms of waste as of 2014 (Environment and Natural Resources
Office, 2014). The current disposal facility being used by the municipality of Manay is a controlled
dump. However, as specified in Section 37 of Republic Act 9003, controlled dump facilities shall only
be allowed to operate for a period of five (5) years, inclusive of the 3-year conversion period. This
matter arises the need of having a higher category disposal facility as the amount of waste increase
with time.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of constructinga Category Sanitary
Landfill at Barangay Holy Cross, Municipality of Manay, Davao Oriental. Specifically, it intends to
accomplish the following:
1. Assess the viability of the location of constructing a Category I Sanitary Landfill at Barangay
Holy Cross, Manay.
2. Determine the volume of solid waste generated in the Municipality of Manay and Tarragona.
3. Plan and design a viable clay liner Category I Sanitary Landfill at Barangay Holy Cross, Manay
in compliance to R.A. 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

1.3 Significance of the Study

The study is deemed applicable and essential because the findings would serve as a
benchmark in the improvement of the current disposal facility at Manay, Davao Oriental. The result
of the study could benefit the following:
Local Government Unit of Manay (LGU). This study will serve as a basis for initial proposal of
constructing a Category 1 Sanitary Landfill in line with R.A. 9003, Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000.
Municipality of Manay. The construction of a Category 1 Sanitary Landfill provides a proper
waste disposal facility that may last for years which is necessary for a healthy living environment for
the members of the community. It will also contribute to the economic and social development of
the municipality and its locals.
Residents of Barangay Holy Cross. The residents living near the sanitary landfill will be
offered with new means of support and livelihood for sustaining their basic needs.
Future Researchers. This study will serve as reference for future researchers interested in
the same or related topic.

1.4 Scope and Limitation

The study is focused on the viability of constructing a Category 1 Sanitary Landfill at
Barangay Holy Cross, Municipality of Manay, Davao Oriental. The research environment covers the
whole Municipality of Manay and its neighboring municipality Tarragona which is also in need of a
sanitary landfill. This study focuses on the evaluation of suitable and appropriate soil to be used for
the said project.
The researchers cover the planning and designing of a Clay Liner Category Sanitary Landfill
cell only, which is based on the given data of Waste Assessment and Characterization Study (WACS)
of Municipality of Manay and Tarragona. This study does not cover the construction of sanitary
landfill outside the Municipality of Manay, and the regular management of the sanitary landfill upon
completion of the project.

1.5 Conceptual Framework

Figure 1.1 shows an illustrative structure that elaborates how the study was conducted. It
was used by the researchers to organize their course of actions during the conduct of the study in
order to achieve the objectives.