We should also consider water pollution which comes mainly from domestic and industrial sources. Solid waste disposed either at the dumpsite or directly into water bodies, generates high rates of organic and inorganic pollution. This results to leachate which contaminates groundwater or seeps into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Despite the passage of the Ecological Solid Waste Management act, open dumpsites still operate throughout the Philippines and solid waste remains a major water pollutant.
Cases of water pollution alone cause a total annual economic loss at about PhP67 billion. This figure includes, PhP3 billion for health costs, PhP17 billion for lost fisheries production and PhP47 for lost tourism revenues. Losses due to environmental damage, in terms of compensation and claims, are also on the rise in the Philippines. It is assumed that the widespread use of plastic bottles are said to be an indirect effect that results in water pollution albeit it is more costly than using tap water Filipino households allot 9% of their household expenditure for buying water.
The purpose of the implementation of this rules are promulgated to oversee the implementation of solid waste management plans in order to facilitate compliance and prescribe policies to achieve the objectives of the Act. To carry out the national policy of adopting a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program consistent with the pursuit of sustainable development. Also to support actions such as research and studies on solid wastes, providing technical standards and guidelines for effective waste management systems.
These Rules shall lay down the powers and functions of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Trade and Industry, all other concerned agencies and local government units, the rights and obligations of 236 stakeholders and the rights and duties of the people with respect to the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management. It is imperative for the state to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program which shall implement the following policies.
References
- https://www.nrdc.org/issues/water-pollution
- https://www.intechopen.com/books/environmental-biotechnology/new-approaches-in-monitoring-water-pollution
- http://sprep.org/
- http://doh.gov.ph/doh-hotline
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/water-sanitation-hygiene-and-health
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4005435/
