Foreigners Eye View: The alarming issue of improper waste disposal in Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa, Palawan – John Smith (not his real name), an expat living in Palawan for the past year, has expressed his growing concern over the amount of trash that has been dumped on the streets. He is worried that this might cause serious harm to the environment and the health of the local people.

Smith, who originally hails from New Zealand, has been visiting the province for 19 years and is living in Palawan for a year now. During his stay, he has seen the beautiful city suffer from the impact of environmental degradation caused by irresponsible waste disposal. As a nature lover, he is worried about the health of the environment and the people living in it.

Speaking to Palawan Daily, Smith said, “My concern is about the amount of rubbish and litter that is all over Palawan. It’s everywhere, there is no getting away from it and the smell is something else. I just wanted to post pictures from beaches and roads that show this disgusting mess and try to bring it to the attention of the people that this should not be happening.”

Palawan is known for its pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush green forests. However, the increasing amount of garbage being dumped on the streets has been a growing concern for the local authorities, the expat community, and the residents alike. The city has implemented several waste management policies, but the situation is far from satisfactory.

Because the city has a bigger population now, proper management of solid wastes from households, commercial, industrial, and other establishments seems to be an endless challenge not only for solid wastes managers but to the community and the general public as well.

The city government has already taken several steps to address the issue of waste management.

However, with the increasing population and people who lack concern for the environment, improper waste disposal is still seen in various areas around the city. The city has encouraged citizens to reduce, reuse, and recycle for years, while government officials have been making measures and programs to mitigate the problem.

Section 48 of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 clearly states the requirements and has tough penalties on offending entities. But there are still gaps on how this is properly enforced.

On 2021, a local-based project known as “Eco-Kolek,” conceptualized by the Project Zacchaeus Marketing Cooperative (PZMC), was launched to help uplift the status of the informal wastes pickers or “mangangalakal” in Puerto Princesa City.

Some referred to them as “Eco-Warriors” while other barangays within the city call them as Eco-Aide or SWM Man denoting them with Solid Waste Management (SWM).

They already established partnerships with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the City Government of Puerto Princesa through the Office of the City ENRO, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and other relevant agencies and offices.

The SWM, everyday, has been collecting wastes in every area around the city as well.

But during his daily cycling, Smith said that he still sees the alarming problem and further worries about what it may lead to if not addressed immediately.

“Education on littering is part of the answer. From my bike riding around Puerto, it makes no difference which street it is they are all the same. Shocking state of affairs,” he said.
Smith hopes that more people, not just the authorities, government and environmental agencies, will work together to keep Palawan and the city of Puerto Princesa clean and green.

“I am happy to pitch in and help but I don’t know where to start. You know this sort of thing hurts tourism, Palawan has so much to offer but it could do better,” he said.

Palawan’s natural beauty is what attracts tourists from all over the world. It is the responsibility of the local authorities, residents, and tourists alike to protect and preserve this beauty for future generations.