Agricultural and Biological Research

Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices in selected areas of Zamboanga Del Sur: Evaluating its implementation

Lina T. Codilla, Mary Jocelyn V. Battung, Nanette D. Bilbao, Ma. Carissa C. Molanda, Starr Clyde L. Sebial and Janet D. Barrera*

This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices in selected areas of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines, to uphold the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act of 2000, known as RA 9003. A total of 500 participants, composed of local barangay officials (barangay captain, barangay kagawad, treasurer, and secretary), business sectors, and those with knowledge in SWM implementation represented from each Purok were involved in the study. The descriptive-comparative design was used with the questionnaire checklist as the primary data-gathering tool. An internal reliability test was done on the same set of questionnaires using the Cronbach alpha coefficient. Weighted average mean, Chi-square, and mean square contingency coefficient tests (Phi coefficient) were utilized to ensure accurate analysis and interpretation of the data gathered. The study's findings disclosed that the Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices are moderately implemented in the two municipalities of the Said Province. Due to its moderate implementation, the result further revealed that the Dumingag and Margosatubig populace still experienced ailments but a minimal percentage from 38% as the highest down to 5%. Furthermore, the hypothesis test showed that the assessment on the implementation of SWM practices of the barangay local officials, business sectors, and program implementers and their observations regarding environmental and health effects significantly differed.