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Improper Waste Disposal of Commercial

Establishments at Smallville, Iloilo City

An Environmental Problem Investigatory Project

Of:

Press Play

Aban, Kathy Bte

Berneza, Nikka Paula

Jovero, Ayden Grace

Panaguiton, Jeanz Evan

Prequencia Jea Allyzah

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I. IntroductionWaste segregation is one of the problems that the country is having for

the past few years. Presidential Decree 825, implemented 1975, states that one

of the principal aims of the New Society is to effect social, economic and political

reform through discipline and order; a healthy citizenry is a vital factor inbringing about these reforms; and to attain these objectives it becomes the duty

of every citizen and resident of the Philippines to keep his environment or

surroundings clean and wholesome. Therefore, it is every Filipinos responsibility

to keep his surroundings clean and this includes the bodies of water such as

streams, rivers, and oceans.

The Iloilo River flows from the town of Oton at Bataino Creek and

supplies the most populated areas in the city, namely, the districts of La Paz,

Mandurriao, Molo, Arevalo and the City Proper (mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com,

2012). One of the connecting bodies of water of the said river is the creek

located in Smallville, Iloilo. The contamination of the creek in Smallville would

also affect the water in the Iloilo River and would eventually pollute the water

supply in the City.

II. ProblemSmallville Iloilo is composed of many commercial establishments that

produce volumes of solid waste that should be disposed properly. Due to this

fact, it became apparent that some of its establishments have been disposing

their garbage in idle fishponds and land around the area. These unused

fishponds could be breeding places of scavengers; moreover, improper wastedisposal could lead to environmental problems such as water pollution and

unhealthy surroundings. According to three interviewed nearby residents, these

idle fish ponds are connected to a creek that flows to the Iloilo River. Therefore,

garbage disposed in this area would eventually end up polluting our water

supply.

The evidence:

The Researchers/ Investigators

http://mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com/http://mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com/http://mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com/http://mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com/

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Improper disposal of garbage Integrated solid waste

Idle fishpond Residents who are unaware of the health risks.

...flowing into the Iloilo RiverThe route of contaminated water...

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ILOILO RIV R

The area at the back of

El Dorado Water Park,

Smallville, Iloilo City

The route of the contaminated water from the site to the Iloilo River

The actual site

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III. Significance of the StudyAbout 70% of the planet is covered in ocean. Ninety-eight percent of the

water on the planet is in the oceans, and therefore is unusable for drinking

because of the presence of salt. About two percent of the planet's water is fresh,but 1.6 percent of this is locked up in the polar ice caps and glaciers leaving us

with less than one percent of water for consumption.

As time goes by and as the population continues to increase, the demand

of water will also increase. Hence, the main goal of this study is to prevent any

further contamination of the supply of fresh water caused by wash-offs from

improper disposal of garbage.

IV. SolutionVolumes of solid wastes from the commercial establishments in Smallville

have affected the nearby bodies of water such as the idle fishponds, which were

once salt beds that could be breeding places of mosquitoes and other

scavengers. This should urge government agencies responsible to strictly

implement PD 825 that was clearly violated and states the following:

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 825 November 7, 1975

PROVIDING PENALTY FOR IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE AND OTHER

FORMS OF UNCLEANLINESS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, one of the principal aims of the New Society is to

effect social, economic and political reform through discipline

and order;

WHEREAS, a healthy citizenry is a vital factor in bringing about

these reforms; and

WHEREAS, to attain these objectives it becomes the duty of every

citizen and resident of the Philippines to keep his environment

or surroundings clean and wholesome;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the

Constitution, do hereby order and decree:

Section 1.Any provision of existing laws to the contrary

notwithstanding, all citizens and residents of the Philippines;

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all universities, colleges and schools and other similar

institutions, private as well as public; all commercial and

industrial establishments such as hotels, restaurants,

hospitals, cinema houses, public markets, department stores,

groceries and the like; all public conveyances; all residential

houses; and all other establishments of any kinds, shall

undertake the cleaning of their own surroundings, their yards

and gardens, as well as the canals, roads or streets in their

immediate premises.

All garbages, filth and other waste matters, shall be placed in

the proper receptacles for the disposition thereof by garbage

collectors.

Section 2.Any person, who shall litter or throw garbage, filth,

or other waste matters in public places, such as roads, canals

esteros or parks, shall suffer an imprisonment of not less than

5 days nor more than one year or a fine of not less than P100

nor more than P2,000.00 or both such fine and imprisonment at

the discretion of the Court or tribunal, without prejudice to

the imposition of a higher penalty under any other law or

decree.

If the violator is a corporation, firm, or other corporate

entities, the maximum penalty shall be imposed upon the

president, manager, director or persons responsible for its

operation.

Section 3.Owners of idle lots in Greater Manila are required tokeep their idle lots clean to prevent them from becoming the

breeding places of mosquitoes, flies, mice, rats and other

scavengers. In the event of their failure or inability to comply

with this obligation, the government shall undertake the

cleaning of said lots at the expense of the owners. The

government may, through the Barangay Council, further utilize

the land for its food production program.

Section 4.The Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and

Communications, with the assistance of health officials and

local governments concerned, shall supervise the implementationof this Decree.

Section 5.All provisions of laws, decrees, order or regulations

inconsistent herewith are hereby amended or modified

accordingly.

Section 6.This Decree shall take effect immediately.

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Due to the situation presented earlier, the following solutions/

recommendations were made:

With accordance to Section 1, commercial establishments in Smallville shouldtake responsibility in disposing their wastes properly, therefore it is suggested that a

Solid Waste Management System among the tenants should be established such as a

Drop-off Station, where people leave their segregated wastes in an area to be picked-up

by the collectors instead of travelling along the streets to pick them up individually.

Also, it is suggested that a quarterly inspection of idle lands (also idle bodies of

water within the area) to ensure cleanliness of the property and the health of the

people as stated in Section 3.

V. ConclusionThe primary functions of government are to maintain order, settle conflicts, and

protect the community. It may implement laws and establish various environmental

protection programs to protect the environment but the responsibility of protecting the

environment is the duty of every citizen. Any effort of the government would prove

futile without the participation of its populace. Therefore the cheapest and most

effective solution is the participation of everyone in caring for and protecting our

environment especially our water supply.

Example of a drop-off station