Introduction
Energy
Water
Waste Disposal
Solid Waste
Hazardous Waste
LGU Ordinances
M.O. 2002-59
M.O. 1996-01
Conclusion
References
Appendix 1: questionnaire
INTRODUCTION
As the population increases with the growth of industrialization, solid waste disposal is
aggravated. In order to address such concern, the Philippine government issued the Republic Act
9003 otherwise known as the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Supporting it is the DENR Administrative Order No. 2001-34 or the Implementing Rules and
The R.A. 9003 states that an ecological solid waste management program should use
waste minimization measures such as composting, recycling, re-using, recovery, and others ; and
ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal through the
formulation and adoption of the best environmental practices. In Section 16 Article 1 Chapter 3,
the Local government, through its local solid waste management board, is mandated to prepare a
10-year SWM plan for the re-use, recycling and composting of wastes generated in the
respective jurisdiction.
In compliance to the national act, the local government of Los Baños, Laguna, under the
leadership of Mayor Ceasar Perez, issued the Municipal Ordinance 2002-59 otherwise known as
Los Baños to put up segregation facilities in their business establishments in Consonance with
the Municipal Ecological SWM Program pursuant to DENR A.O. No. 2001-34. Ratified on the
21st of January 2002 and took effect 30 days after, the ordinance mandates businesses to provide
properly marked solid waste containers that are situated in accessible areas inside the workplace.
It also provides the fines for anyone who will violate the ordinance.
Another M.O. relevant to waste management is the M.O. 1996-01 also known as the
Ordinance Amending and Prescribing the Rates of Environmental Management Service fees
(Garbage fee collection) for business, trade, occupational and other establishments for other
purposes. It was enacted on the 29th of February, 1996 and took effect 15 days after under the
EURO Products, Inc. is a company that imports and manufactures industrial chemicals
for geothermal drilling, power plants, pulp and paper, petroleum, semi-conductors, water
treatment, food and beverages, sugar industries, pharmaceutical, commercial establishments, and
other industries and oil/gas/geothermal drilling technical services. It has been in operation since
1979.Its manufacturing facility and main office is located at 11097 Mayondon, Los Baños. With
25 regular employees, the company operates 5 days a week with regular office hours from 8 am
to 5 pm. The manufacturing facility is composed of two batches of 8 mixers which are powered
by 2 units of 5 horse power machines that work in a non-continuous mixing process. Thus, it
only goes into operation, from 7 am to 6pm, whenever there is a high demand of their specialty
products. Table 1 shows the company‟s specialty products, and where it is applied. In order to
continuously provide products of highest quality and excellent services to their customers, the
Energy
In the 2008 energy report of the Department of Energy, the industrial sector had a 3.08
percent increase in consumption compared with their 2007 rate. Such can be equated to food
manufacturing and beverage industries (DOE, 2008). However, as part of the industrial sector of
The company, whose energy sourced from Meralco, mainly uses energy for its main
building and the manufacturing facility. The main building is divided to 3 main rooms – the
general manager‟s; other offices; and conference room. The rooms had their air condition units,
desktops, printers, fax machines, and fluorescent bulbs that are used during office hours by the
25 regular employees. The manufacturing facility, on the other hand, is operated mainly through
the use of 2 units of 5 hp machines. It powers 16 mixers and follows the non-continuous mixing
process. Thus, an abrupt increase in the company‟s energy consumption takes place only
In order to be an efficient energy consumer, the company shuts down the manufacturing
facility when demand is low. Moreover, its employees follow the “switch off when not used”
principle in conservation. They switch the lights off during lunch break when everyone is out.
Even the general manager practices such – he switches off the light in his office whenever he
goes out. Sometimes, they use one instead of using 2 fluorescent bulbs to light the room if there
is no one on the other side of it. There are also times that they don‟t switch the lights on, they
Recommendations
Energy can be conserved further through the use of low wattage fluorescent bulbs.
Setting a specific time, temperature and mode for the use of the air conditioning units may also
Water
Euro Products, Inc. de-ionizes water from its deep well before using. During the
manufacture of industrial chemicals, a mixer of 200 L is filled by 155 L of water, thus, having a
The company practices the „Zero-waste water cycle‟ in the manufacture of chemicals. In
the process of manufacturing, the mixed bed polisher produces waste from the use of resins to
purify water. Such waste water is then delivered to the waste water treatment tanks. Once treated,
Recommendations
“There are alternative sources for energy. There are no alternatives to water” (Eco-
efficiency Centre, 2009). With such state, it is but essential to conserve water in every way
possible. The zero-waste water cycle of the company is a good way to conserve water. It can be
improved by taking used water from the main building to the waste water treatment tanks as
well. In that way, the company will not only be practicing zero-waste water during
manufacturing but throughout the whole operation itself. Saving rain water during rainy season
for use in the main building can also help conserve water.
WASTE DISPOSAL
The company, being involved in the manufacture of industrial chemicals, produces two
Solid Waste
In the main building, the common solid wastes are papers and busted fluorescent bulbs.
These wastes are thrown in the appropriate trash bins. The company practices waste segregation.
It has separate bins for nabubulok and di – nabubulok. Papers whose other side can still be used
During manufacturing, on the other hand, the company has carboy containers as the
wastes. However, they re-use it as containers of commodity chemicals such as HCl and caustic
acid. They also encourage their clients to return the carboys once the product is consumed so
Waste water is not a big concern by the company because they have a waste water
treatment facility. One of the hazardous wastes generated from the manufacture of chemicals is
used oil. It is hazardous because it “picks up a variety of hazardous contaminants when used in
engines and transmissions including lead, dioxins, benzene and polycyclic aromatics” (Product
Stewardship Oil Program factsheet). According to Mr. Erwin Lapie, the Product Manager of the
company who also works as the Pollution Control Officer, used oil is bought by pest control
businesses. Such business trade allows them to dispose their used oil safely. Another hazardous
waste generated from the manufacture of chemicals is the water from the resin mix. Such water
has a high pH level. The company then uses the acid injection method to neutralize the water.
Consonance With The Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Program Pursuant to DENR
Administrative Order No. 2001-34 Series of 2001. Subject : Implementing Rules And Regulations of
Republic Act No. 9003 And Specific And Applicable National Programs
The company appreciates the ordinance. According to Mr. Lapie, “… maganda nga na
may ganito. Mas madali din makita kung alin ang pwedeng gamitin. Halimbawa, sa papel,,
tinitingnan naming kung pwede pa yung likod. ‘Pag tulad nito, wala pang sulat, piniprintan
naming uli o kaya sinusulatan. Kapag hindi na pwede, hinihiwalay din namin tapos binebenta”.
Aside from that, the company complies with the ordinance by following Section 3a. It has
labeled trash bins in the building. Moreover, the company commented on its implementation.
According to Mr. Lapie, “crowded yung basura sa kanto”. The street corner is where the
community wastes are to be picked-up by the garbage collectors. However, when all the wastes
are brought there, they occupy almost half of the street. Sometimes, there are people who search
for usable materials like bottles and tin cans which they can sell to junk shops. There are also
times when dogs scavenge on the wastes. Such actions result to wastes being scattered all over
the corner.
In order to avoid the crowding waste corner, the company suggested that the community
change the way they throw the garbage. Mr. Lapie explained, “mas maganda yung dati. Yung
ilalabas lang ang basura kapag dadaan na ang truck.Halimbawa kung eight dadaan ang truck,
abangan na lang sa tapat”. Such suggestion would not only ensure that the wastes are being
collected properly but it is also a way to avoid the wastes scatter due to scavenging.
M.O. 1996-01 : An Ordinance Amending And Prescribing The Rates Of Environmental Management
Service Fees (Garbage Fee Collection) For Business, Trade, Occupational And Other Establishments
The company made no comment regarding the rate that they pay. However, they
suggested the local government to continue, if still in operation, or popularize the conversion of
wastes to hollow blocks, tables and chairs. It also encouraged the government to venture into the
Having policies obliges not only the residents but also the businesses in the municipality
to look after the environment. The M.O. 2002-59 is a very practical ordinance. It can be
practiced by anyone even if it does not exist. Though seeing it written on paper with the
appropriate penalties once violated, makes the community compel to protect the environment.
However, the implementation of the ordinance is where the concern is. No matter how detailed
the ordinance maybe, if it is not effectively implemented, is the same as not having it. The
establishment. Take the university for example. There are labeled trash bins in the university but
still the paper and plastics are thrown in the same bin.
In the M.O. 1996-01, Section 2 states the rate that a certain establishment should pay for
the environment. Establishments are categorized as: manufacturing, whole sale/retail trade,
service, amusement, financial institution, or insurance. This section can be revised in such a way
that the rates would depend not only on the classifications but also according to the scope and
CONCLUSION
important to protect the environment in order for it to continuously provide for the needs of a
community. With environmental policies, the community is compelled to look after the
environment.
industrial chemicals. In its case, the environment is the source of water which it uses in
producing industrial chemicals. In order to do its part in the protection of the environment, it
complies with the ordinances mandated by the local government of Los Baños.
M.O. 2002-59 and M.O. 1996-01 are two of the ordinances most related to resource
utilization and waste management. The company commented on how the collection of wastes. It
also suggested the local government to continue and popularize the conversion of wastes to
hollow blocks. However, the researcher suggested that M.O. 1996-01 policy be revised to be
more effective.
REFERENCES
http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/documents/oil-factsheet-1.pdf.
Department of Energy – Philippines. Power Sector Situationer 2008.Retrieved on September 11, 2009
from http://www.doe.gov.ph/EP/Powersituationer.htm.
How to Conserve Water and Use It Effectively. Retrieved on September 19, 2009 from
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/chap3.html.
Industrial Best Practices for Water Management: A guide for industry to help reduce your water footprint
efficiency.management.dal.ca/Files/Industrial_Best_Practices_for_Water_Management_Guide.pdf.
Management and Utilization of Urban Solid Waste. Research of Information series on ecosystems.
(2000). 12(3).
APPENDIX 1
Interview guide
1. What do you know about the Municipal Ordinance (M.O.) 2002-59 (Ordinance Mandating all
owner/proprietors of business enterprises in the Municipality of Los Baños to put up segregation
facilities in their business establishments in consonance with the Municipal Ecological Solid
Waste Management Program pursuant to DENR A.O. 2001-34 Series of 2001: Implementing
rules and regulations of R.A. 9003 and specific and applicable national programs)?
2. How does the company comply with the ordinance?
3. What can you suggest to improve the said ordinance?
4. What do you know about the Municipal Ordinance (M.O.) 1996-01 (An ordinance amending and
prescribing the rates of environmental management fees (garbage fee collection) for business,
trade, occupational and other establishments and for other puposes)?