Funding Ecological Waste Management Programs of Barangays A presentation by Leonor G. Berroya

Under the 1987 Constitution, Declaration of Principles and State Policies The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature (Article II, Sec. 16)

Under the Local Government Code of 1991 Declaration of Policy It is hereby declared the policy of the state that the territorial and political subdivisions of the state shall enjoy genuine and meaningful local autonomy xxx. Toward this end, the state shall provide xxx local government units shall be given more powers, authority, responsibilities, and resources. (Sec. II, a)

Under the Local Government Code of 1991 All Local Government Units, the Barangays included, are mandated to exercise powers granted to them in order to provide an “accountable efficient dynamic organizational structure and operating mechanism to meet the priority needs and service requirements of the community.” [Sec 3 (b)]

Among the priority needs enumerated are l services and facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation, beautification and solid waste collection. (LGC Sec. 17, b)

Republic Act put the meaning of solid waste management in a more definite context, which is the subject of this convention.

Funding of Priority Needs In order to meet these priority needs, the Law further provides such “basic services and facilities herein above enumerated shall be funded from the share of the local government units in the proceeds of national taxes and other local revenues and funding support from the national government,.its instrumentalities xxx” [LGC, Section 17 (g)].

Mandate for Ecological Waste Management Thus it is clear that all barangays are mandated to provide for ecological system of managing its waste using already provided funds within its budget.

The major classes of expenditures and their sub-classifications in the annual budget of a barangay are: l Current Operating Expenditures Personnel Services Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses Non-Office Expenditures l Capital Outlay

Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses Repair and Maintenance of Barangay owned Facilities Expenses For Sessions, Meetings, Conferences & Dialogues Expenses for Training, Seminar, Workshop of Personnel Repair & Maintenance of Office Equipment Other Services Supplies and Materials Transportation Services (Trucking, Hauling Services) Discretionary Expenses (2% of 1999 RPTS) Others; Specify Garbage Disposal Program Special Projects/Activities (Please Specify)

Non - Office Expenditures l Sangguniang Kabataan (10% of the Total general fund) l Development Fund (20% of IRA)

Capital Outlay l Land and Land Improvement Outlay l Building and Structure Outlay l Motor Vehicle l Equipment l Furniture and Fixtures

Within the percentage requirements of the rules on budgeting, salaries for personnel doing waste management may be drawn from item 1.a or from item 1.b.

Under the latter, it may take the individual form of “Garbage Disposal Program” which could cover expenses like salaries, materials and even equipment (pushcarts, grass cutters, collection bags, etc) depending on the size of the budget.

For infrastructure requirements Development funds under 1.c. or land and improvement funds under item 2 could be used.

l sourcing of funds to effect ecological waste management within the Barangay is a simple matter of allocating funds from the annual budget of each Barangay. l because the constitution provides that the “state shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful Ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature”

Republic act has sharpened the meaning of solid waste management, such budgetary allocations for effecting ecological waste management, all local government units need only to adopt their regular budgets in order to comply with the requirements of RA 9003.