Leonel C. Mendoza^1,, Jermaine Ritzchelle D. Marquez¹, Elvi C. Escarez¹

Poor solid waste management is among the major challenges in developing countries including the Philippines. Understanding community concerns and willingness towards involvement in solid waste management improvement initiatives are critical for informing interventions like local barangay communication initiatives. The study used a descriptive study to collect quantitative data from 1175 residents in five barangays located in downtown Calapan. A semi-structured questionnaire was used which determined collected waste materials and assessed the residents and officials as to their perception of solid waste management in terms of planning and control, waste management campaigns, waste collection; and waste disposal. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like frequency and mean. Findings revealed that the biggest proportion of waste materials collected in downtown Calapan was recyclable (31.735), followed by non-biodegradable (23.87%) and lastly biodegradables (22.07%). Both residents and officials as respondents expressed very effective management in terms of planning and control, waste management campaigns, waste collection; and waste disposal. However, practices in waste disposal and separation were poor despite communication initiatives being in place to improve waste management, highlighting a need for authorities to engage residents of downtown to strictly adhere to SWM policies.

communication policies, SWM. Semi-structured, initiatives, interventions