Community Based Solid Waste Management: Earning by Greening Poor Communities in Metro Manila

By: Gloryrose Dy

(Left) Speaker Marginela Brucelo explains about the FGD. (Right) Participants share their thoughts on a Focus Group Discussion

Last December 5-6,2009, the Human Settlement and Environment Program of TAO-Pilipinas conducted a Community Based Solid Waste Management Training to 36 youths from ten communities in Metro Manila (2 areas in Pasay city, 1 area in Manila, 5 areas in Navotas, 2 areas in Quezon City). The objective of the training was to motivate the youth to be more aware of their environment by taking care and giving importance to it. The training was held at the Balay Kalinaw, University of the Philippines, Dilliman, Quezon City with the theme “Community Based Solid Waste Management: Earning by Greening Poor Communities in Metro Manila”. The Community based solid Waste Management was conducted by PO trainers Jocelyn Satajo, Nelyn Balbalosa and Mary Ann Merelos from SHACC Phase 2 in Malibay, Pasay and Marginela Brucelo  from MASAGANA in Tanza, Navotas. The four trainers practice SWM in their respective community which give them hands-on knowledge of the various ways of managing solid waste.

(Left) SWM Participants create their Action Plan for the implementation of SWM in their community while Participants draw a image on their vision for their community (Right).

The training was composed of nine parts which tackled various aspects of Solid Waste Management including concepts, environmental situation, laws, and sharing of experience from successful implementers of SWM including the Pasay and Navotas experiences. Jocelyn Satajo conducted the first part of the program wherein the participants shared about their expectations from the training. Nelyn Balbalosa gave a short lecture on the “Kalagayan ng Kapaligiran sa Metro Manila” (Environmental Situation in Metro Manila) and “Ang Metro Manila sa ika-21 Siglo” (Metro Manila in the 21^st Century). Further lectures and Focus Group discussions were made on the Effects of Garbage on the People’s Surroundings “Epekto ng Basura sa Paligid at sa Tao”, Effects of Garbage on Global Warming “Epekto ng Basura sa Pagtaas ng Temperatura sa Mundo”, Relation of Garbage with People “Kaugnayan ng Basura sa Tao”, Web of Life, 8- Batayang Prinsipyo ng Kalikasan (8 Principles of the Nature), Maghiwalay tayo ng Basura (Let’s Segregate Garbage), Republic Act 9003 and Composting.

On the second day, the trainers conducted another focus group discussion on Inspirations on creating a SWM “Mga Inspirasyon sa Paggawa ng SWM”. Then the participants where tasked to make an image on what they wish to happen in their community entitled ”Ano ang Pinangarap nating Mangyari” After which, they were tasked to make an action plan on how they will be able to attain their vision of their community entitled “Paunti-unti nating Abutin ang Pangarap”. All of the participants handed their vision and action plans with much excitement and a sense of responsibility to do something when they go back to their communities.

(Left) Evaluation Web made by the participant showing that their expected outcomes were met. (Right) Smiles from the participants graduation ceremony which displayed the success of the event and a start of their challenge to extend their acquired knowledge on SWM to their communities.

As a culmination of the activity, the participant’s received their graduation certificates as a sign that they completed the training and with good practice, they can eventually be trainers on SWM and future environmentalist even at their young age.

This training is the first part of the Solid Waste Management Program which intends to expand the practice of community-based solid waste management from the initial two (2) to ten (10) communities in 4 cities. The training was conducted with a grant from Starbucks through the Give2Asia Foundation.

Reactions? Suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Leave us a comment.