Reporter: FAIRUDZ A.

TAYUAN- SAMUD
PA 217- Current Issues and Development
Professor Carmelita B. Serrano, Ph.D

Waste Management Problem and No to Single Plastic Use

(RA 9003 Solid Waste Management Acts; Sec. 48&49 Prohibited Acts and
Penalties)

A.) Classification of Wastes according to their Properties

A1. Bio-degradable- can be degraded (paper, wood, fruits and others)
A2. Non-biodegradable- cannot be degraded (plastics, bottles, old machines, cans, styrofoam
containers and others)

B.) Classification of Wastes according to their Effects on Human Health and the Environment
B1.) Hazardous wastes- Substances unsafe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or
economically and have any of the following properties- ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity &
toxicity.
B2.) Non-hazardous- Substances safe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or
economically and do not have any of those properties mentioned above. These substances
usually create disposal problems.

C.) Kinds of Wastes

C1.) Solid wastes: wastes in solid forms, domestic, commercial and industrial wastes

Examples: plastics, styrofoam containers, bottles, cans, papers, scrap iron, and other trash
C2.) Liquid Wastes: wastes in liquid form
Examples: domestic washings, chemicals, oils, waste water from ponds, manufacturing
industries and other sources

SOLID WASTE is
• Any garbage or refuse (Municipal Solid Waste)
• Sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution
control facility
• Other discarded material
• Solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material from industrial, commercial, mining, and
agricultural operations, and from community activities
And also can come from household

Prohibited Acts and corresponding penalties

(1) Littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places, such as roads, sidewalks,
canals, esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same.
Fine: P300 – P1,000, or Community service: 1-15 days in LGU where violation was
made, or both.
(2) Undertaking activities or operating, collecting or transporting equipment in violation of
sanitation operation and other requirements or permits set forth in established
pursuant. Penalty: P300 – 1,000, or Imprisonment: 1-15 days, or both
(3) The open burning of solid waste. Fine: P300 – 1,000, or Imprisonment: 1-15 days, or both
(4) Causing or permitting the collection of non-segregated or unsorted wastes. Fine: P1,000 –
P3,000, or Imprisonment: 1-15 days, or both.
(5) Squatting in open dumps and landfills. Fine: P1,000 - 3,000, or Imprisonment: 15 days – 6
months, or both
(6) Open dumping, burying of biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials in flood prone
areas. Fine: P1,000 – 3,000, or Imprisonment: 15 days – 6 months, or both
(7) Unauthorized removal of recyclable material intended for collection by authorized
persons; Fine: P1,000 – 3,000, or Imprisonment: 15 days – 6 months, or both
(8) The mixing of source-separated recyclable material with other solid waste in any
vehicle, box, container or receptacle used in solid waste collection or disposal. First
Offense: Fine of P5,000 + 5-10% of net income during the previous year
(9) Establishment or operation of open dumps as enjoined in this Act, or closure of said
dumps in violation of Sec. 37. First Offense: Fine of P500,000 + 5-10% of net income
 during the previous year; Subsequent Violations: Imprisonment of 1-3 yrs. In addition to
the fine.

(10)The manufacture, distribution or use of non-environmentally acceptable packaging materials.

First Offense: Fine of P500,000 + 5-10% of net income during the previous year; Subsequent
Violations: Imprisonment of 1-3 yrs. In addition to the fine.
(11)Importation of consumer products packaged in non-environmentally acceptable materials. First
Offense: Fine of P500,000 + 5-10% of net income during the previous year
(12)Importation of toxic wastes misrepresented as "recyclable" or "with recyclable content". Fine:
P10,000 – 200,000, or Imprisonment: 30 days – 3 years, or both
(13)Transport and dumping in bulk of collected domestic, industrial, commercial, and institutional
wastes in areas other than centers or facilities prescribe under this Act. Fine: P10,000 –
P200,000, or Imprisonment: 30 days – 3 years, or both
(14)Site preparation, construction, expansion or operation of waste management facilities without
an Environmental Compliance Certificate required pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1586 and
this Act and not conforming to the land use plan of the LGU. Fine: P100,000 – P1M, or
Imprisonment: 1-6 years, or both
(15)The construction of any establishment within two hundred (200) meters from open dumps or
controlled dumps, or sanitary landfill. Fine: P100,000 – P1M, or Imprisonment: 1-6 years, or
both
(16)The construction or operation of landfills or any waste disposal facility on any aquifer,
groundwater reservoir, or watershed area and or any portions thereof. Fine: P100,000 – P1M,
or Imprisonment: 1-6 years, or both

What kind of case may be filed?

1. Civil, 2. Criminal, 3. Administrative

Citizen Suit:
Any citizen may file civil, criminal or administrative action against:
1. Any person who violates or fails to comply with RA 9003 and its IRR.
2. DENR or other implementing agencies for orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with RA
9003.
3. Public officer who willfully or grossly neglects performance of duty, abuses his authority, and in
any manner, improperly performs his duties under RA 9003 and its IRR

What does RA 9003 require before a case or suit can be filed?

RA 9003 provides that no case or suit can be filed until after a public officer or alleged violator
has been given a 30-day notice during which no appropriate action has been taken by the alleged
offender.