Assessment of Republic Act 9003 Implementation in Selected Colleges in Albay: A Basis for Developing A Sustainable Solid Waste Management Plan

Republic Act No. 9003, known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” is a Philippine law that provides for a systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management program. This law mandates the creation of necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declares prohibited acts related to solid waste management, and penalties for violations. This study was conducted in Malinao, Daraga and Polangui of the Province of Albay covering the period from CY 2023-2025. This study used a Mixed Method Research Design. The Focus Group Discussion was used to gather more detailed data from the respondents. The respondents are the students, faculty and non-teaching staff in college. The study reveals that colleges have initiated compliance measures on solid waste management implementation. Section 56 of RA 9003 on the level of awareness reveals that colleges have sufficient knowledge of the law, putting the law into practice needs ongoing trainings and education. On the evaluation on the level of implementation of the law, colleges demonstrated more on moderate performance. On identifying the constraints of the solid waste management practices, effective implementation and initiatives depend heavily on addressing institutional and structural challenges. Constraints can be addressed through sufficient budget allocation, stronger coordination and regular monitoring and evaluation.

Assessment, Compliance, Awareness, Implementation, Constraints, Mechanisms, Wastes, Management

1. Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). (2024). Waste Management and Recycling Industry Challenges in the Philippines. [Publisher or website, e.g., Report on Waste Management]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Best Practices for Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Disposal. [Source of publication, e.g., EPA Guidance Document]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Michael Best and Friedrich LLP Staff. (2025). Title of Work on Integrated Solid Waste Management Theory. [Source of publication, e.g., Law Review or Policy Brief]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Molina, G., & Catan, S. (2021). Integrating Solid Waste Management Concepts into Science Education in the Philippines. [Journal Name, e.g., Philippine Journal of Education]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Pongrácz, E., Phillips, A., & Pirkkola, J. (2004). A conceptual model for the systematic analysis of waste management systems. Waste Management & Research, 22(5), 375–391. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Pressman, J. L., & Wildavsky, A. B. (1973). Implementation: How great expectations in Washington are dashed in Oakland; or, Why it’s amazing that Federal programs work at all, this being a saga of the Economic Development Administration as told to those who must live with the decisions of others. University of California Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Rhodes, R. A. W. (1997). Understanding governance: Policy networks, governance, reflexivity and accountability. Open University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Republic Act No. 9003. (2000). Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Sec. 56. [Official Gazette of the Philippines]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (2024). The Waste Problem in Southeast Asia: Inadequate Collection, Treatment, and Recycling. [Source of publication, e.g., ASEAN Environmental Report]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Tyler, R. W. (1940). Appraising and recording student progress. McGraw-Hill Book Company. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Urban Waste Expertise Program (UWEP). (1995–2001). Program documentation: Integrated solid waste management. [Organization/Publisher, e.g., Specific Program Office]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. United Nations. (n.d.). The 17 Goals | Sustainable Development. Retrieved [Month Day, Year, e.g., October 20, 2025], from [URL, e.g., https://sdgs.un.org/goals]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2021). Ecological Solid Waste Management from a Global Perspective. [Report or document name, e.g., Global Waste Outlook Report]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2022). Poor Waste Management, Health, and Environmental Consequences. [Report or document name, e.g., Global Waste Management Assessment]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]