THE COMPLIANCE OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO THE SOLID WASTE

MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OF THE CITY OF CABADBARAN, AGUSAN DEL

NORTE: BASIS FOR EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY PROGRAM

By:

JOEL L. PELENIO
EPS in MAPEH
DepED-Cabadbaran City Division
Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte

Abstract

Summary

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of compliance of public

elementary schools to the SWM program of Cabadbaran City as a basis for creating

teaching materials and a community advocacy program. The respondents were the 8

school administrators, 108 teachers, 78 PTA representatives and 70 Barangay Officials.

Survey questionnaires were used to assess the compliance of schools in terms of

practices and activities, enabling mechanisms; successful experiences, extent of SWM

practices that are able to comply with the requirements of the City Ordinance on SWM

program, and the strengths and weaknesses in the SWM implementation as compliance

to the ordinance.

After considering the problems, the arithmetic mean and frequency-percentage

were employed to treat the data. The results were tabulated, analyzed, presented in

several tables, and interpreted.

Findings

The study presented that only less than a half of the respondents practiced

segregation, MRF, composting, re-use method and recycling; some respondents have

the following successful experiences: (1) the implementation of the SWM Program made

the students become free from any diseases, (2) it has resulted to clean and healthy

surroundings, (3) generated lesser garbage in schools, (4) some of the respondents

learned to practice proper disposal of garbage, and (5) others got that substantial

awareness on the benefits of the solid waste management implementation; strict

compliance to the SWM program is necessary to be implemented in schools; the school

administrators, teachers, parents and barangay officials substantially comply (mihimo

sa mga piniling higayon lamang) with the mandates of the City Ordinance on SWM

Program; the educational stakeholders have the following strengths in their SWM

implementation in schools: (1) classrooms, campuses, homes, and communities became

models in SWM implementation, (2) it increases community awareness on pollution, (3)

it enhances the advocacy in caring for mother earth, (4) it has enhanced healthy

environment, and (5) it has brought about recognitions to classrooms, schools, homes

and communities while the following weaknesses were also emphasized: (1) lack of

discipline, (2) lack of garbage truck collectors, (3) lack of cooperation of students,

teachers, parents and people in the community, (4) lack of desire or passion in taking

care for the environment, and (5) being uncompliant with the City Ordinance on SWM

Program.
 Conclusions

Based on the findings, the practices and activities of teachers do not reflect a

continual and strict compliance with the provisions of the SWM Program in

Cabadbaran City, more IEC are needed to maximize the use of segregation, MRF,

composting, re-use and recycling; strict compliance to the SWM program of the city is

necessary to be implemented in schools, and the compliance of the educational

stakeholders is far way behind the target of the City Government of a continual and

strict compliance (mihimo sa makanunayon ug malahutayon) to the implementation

of SWM Program.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the Department of Education Cabadbaran City

Division Office is recommended to help manage and facilitate the conduct of the yearly

Search for Ecological SWM Best School Implementers; include in its monthly M&E the

SWM program implementation in schools; conduct periodic trainings for teachers on

segregation, MRF, composting, re-use and recycling; integrate the e-reporting of the

quantity of wastes deposited in the school MRF; (5) during trainings and gatherings of

teachers, no disposable materials will be used as lunch and snacks containers; and

doable activities with specific timelines will be implemented as part of the calendar of

activities of schools. The school administrators are recommended to produce their

localized and indigenized education teaching materials on SWM for consolidation and
approval by the Division Office; foster linkages with other government agencies for

possible grants and sponsorships in SWM initiatives; report to the authorities the volumes

of wastes deposited in the school MRF for possible financial opportunities; a towable

segregated MRF be constructed in schools as PTA and school project to facilitate easy

disposal of garbage; and each school is recommended to have their respective SWM

plan.

The teachers are recommended to help in producing the localized and indigenized

teaching materials on SWM implementation in schools; conduct frequent monitoring and

recording of wastes deposited in the school MRF; practice container composting in

classrooms; allow pupils to bring their own glasses to the canteens and get their juices

from juice dispensers; wash used cellophanes, fold and store them neatly in cabinets

when dry; attend more trainings on SWM implementation and help in the SWM program

implementation in schools; and school SWM Coordinators to monitor and record the

wastes deposited in the school MRF.

The parents are recommended to join in the SWM program implementation in

schools and effect such in their respective homes; bring Tupperware instead of using

cellophanes; and re-use bottles as containers of edible oil, soy sauce, and vinegars.

The barangay officials are recommended to do strict SWM program

implementation in their respective barangays; conduct intensive M&E on the hauling of

wastes by the LGU garbage trucks; and install periodic IEC and advocacy mechanisms

in the barangays to ensure the sustainability of the implementation.

Canteen consignees are encouraged to use banana leaves instead of

cellophanes and Styrofoam.