Assessing the Impact of Local Government Policies on Community-Based Solid Waste Management Initiative: A Phenomenological Inquiry

The phenomenological inquiry investigated the impact of local government policies on community-based solid waste management initiatives. It was conducted to assess policy formulation and community action in response to the waste management crisis Davao City is currently facing. Corresponding to this, seven participants were purposively selected for this study from the Local Environment Unit in Davao City, a non-governmental environmental group, a waste management company, and residents aged 18 years and above who were involved in solid waste management practices. Moreover, participants were given informed consent to ensure confidentiality and secure their rights to participate or withdraw from the study. The researchers utilized an in-depth Interview (IDI) to formulate interview guide questions and gather meaningful insights from the participants. Afterwards, the collected data undergoes the process of transcription and is then thematically analyzed. The results of data analysis exhibited the following themes: infrastructure challenges, financial and economic constraints, challenges in garbage management, poor policy implementation, logistical and collection issues, public awareness and participation, policy and governance in solid waste management, sustainable waste management practices, community engagement and participation, and infrastructure and technology in waste management. This study found that the policy is impartial, but there is a lack of enforcement workforce and effort, challenges in maintaining sanitary landfills, a lack of cooperation from barangays, and inadequate segregation at source, as identified by the participants as the key experiences and critical observations on solid waste management in Davao City. Hence, they inferred essential policies to change, system reformation, and strategies to overcome challenges, which include the establishment of deputized enforcers in barangay, scheduled collection of garbage, cooperation of barangay on segregation, collaboration with waste management companies and other recycling facilities or Public and Private Partnership (PPP), and sense of responsibility and accountability should be grappled by the residents. In conclusion, the participants’ postulations indicated that local government policies on community-based solid waste management in Davao City remain inadequate and outdated, emphasizing the need for enforcement and policy amendments. Ultimately, an in-depth investigation into the participants' lived experiences on solid waste management was successful. It is recommended that the government assess the solid waste management policy and consider strict implementation, enforcement, and barangay compliance. Lastly, technically specialized and practically effective strategies must be introduced and implemented to address Davao City’s waste management crisis.