Assessing Community Awareness, Implementation, and Compliance to RA 9003 Towards Sustainable Waste Management Practices: The Case of San Pascual, Batangas

Abstract

This study examined the implementation of Republic Act No. 9003, focusing on the level of community awareness, extent of implementation, and level of compliance with solid waste management practices in the Municipality of San Pascual, Batangas. Anchored on the growing challenges of waste management despite existing legal frameworks, the research aimed to determine how awareness and implementation influence household compliance. A correlational research design was employed, involving 209 respondents composed of households and municipal officials. Data were gathered through a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using mean, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Findings revealed that respondents demonstrate high awareness of practical waste management practices such as segregation and proper disposal, but had limited knowledge of RA 9003 as a legal framework. The implementation of the law is generally weak, particularly in terms of policy enforcement, institutional mechanisms, capacity and resources, and tracking systems. Community compliance is moderate, with consistent practices observed in segregation but inconsistencies in recycling and adherence to collection schedules. The study further found that awareness and implementation do not significantly predict compliance. Instead, compliance is largely influenced by external and logistical factors, particularly the reliability of waste collection services. The research concludes that effective solid waste management depends not only on knowledge and policy enforcement but also on consistent institutional support and service delivery. Based on these findings, the study proposes a community-based educational campaign and strategic recommendations to strengthen waste management practices, emphasizing improved collection systems and sustained public engagement.