The National Solid Waste Management Commission Resolution No. 1441, Series of 2021, adopting the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML) was approved on 12 May 2021. The NPOA-ML was then adopted in August 2021 based on Memorandum Circular No. 2021-10 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The NPOA-ML provides a blueprint to enhance efforts in resource and waste management and to bring an additional lens to marine litter issues and control additional leakage of waste into the bodies of water. It aims for ‘zero waste to Philippine waters by 2040’ towards the vision of ‘a Philippines free of marine litter through shared responsibility, accountability, and participatory governance
Two clusters of action have been classified: (1) programmatic cluster, which focuses on maximising common implementation of sectoral initiatives; and (2) enabling and cross-cutting cluster, which covers cross-sectoral initiatives. The clusters consist of 10 strategies and 35 actions (Table 1).
Table 1. Strategies and Actions in the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter
No. | Action | Expected Outcome | Lead Authority* | Timeline |
Programmatic cluster | ||||
1. | Establish science- and evidence-based baseline information on marine litter | |||
1.1 | Develop national research framework and programme for monitoring and assessment of marine litter | National programme on monitoring and assessment of marine litter and microplastics | DENR-EMB/ERDB, DOST Research Councils | 2021–2022 |
1.2 | Standardise methodology and appropriate data collection system for marine litter information | Nationally standardised methodology and information system for baselining marine litter leakage and accumulation from all | DENR-EMB/BMB, NSWMC, DICT, DOST | 2021–2022 |
1.3 | Carry out a national baseline assessment on waste leakage and accumulation of marine litter | Assessed, compiled, and published definitive national marine litter baseline | DENR-EMB/BMB/ERDB, | 2021–2022 |
1.4 | Make available and accessible science- and evidence-based and vetted information on national marine litter baselines | Clearinghouse and data management system for national baseline information; networks | DENR | 2023 onwards |
2. | Mainstream circular economy (CE) and sustainable consumption and production (SCP) initiatives | |||
2.1 | Map out existing and support research and innovation for CE/SCP in the context of marine litter prevention and reduction | Innovation centres and networks established for CE/SCP; tested, | NEDA, DOST, | 2021 onwards |
2.2 | Develop stakeholder- and industry-led marine litter strategy roadmaps to reduce marine litter with set targets within a prescribed timeframe | Developed roadmaps for industry (material- specific) and start-ups, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, with set targets within agreed upon time frame | Private sector, companies along the value chain, marine-based industries | 2021–2022 |
2.3 | Develop and implement an extended stakeholder responsibility (ESR) system applicable in the Philippine context, along the manufacturing–retail value chain, and ensure integration of the informal and semi-formal waste sector as well as communities | National definition and framework for ESR; ESR readiness and policy studies for packaging; legislation initiated for a phase- | Congress/ policymakers, DENR, DTI | 2021–2025 |
2.4 | Develop and implement a plan for a phase-wise shift to inclusive circularity | Action plans and complementary policies/actions on implemented CE/SCP initiatives | DTI-BOI/BPS, DENR, private sector | 2021 onwards |
2.5 | Provide other enabling policies and systems for CE/SCP | Strengthened enabling environment for sustainable products/services | Congress/ policymakers, DENR, DTI | 2021 onwards |
3. | Enhance recovery and recycling coverage and markets | |||
3.1 | Strengthen domestic recycling industry for all types of materials and enable mechanisms for recyclables market creation and scaling with the involvement of all stakeholders along the value chain | Updated study, framework, and master plan on recycling system; updated standards for products and procurement | DTI, DBM, recycling industry and value | 2021 onwards |
3.2 | Establish and link markets for recyclables and recycled materials, with priority on locally recovered materials | Inventory of markets, including prices; improved logistics for LGUs nationwide; stable class="table table-striped" prices for recyclables | DTI, NSWMC, DENR | 2021 onwards |
3.3 | Support efforts of local government units on segregated collection, materials recovery, and processing | Increased capacities (in tonnes) of segregated, collected, and processed recyclable and potentially recyclable materials | DENR, DILG, NSWMC, LGUs | 2021 onwards |
3.4 | Explore options for management of residual waste, including waste-to-energy option | Reduction in land disposal of biodegradable or low- value residuals | DENR | 2021 onwards |
4. | Prevent leakage from collected or disposed waste | |||
4.1 | Enforce appropriate monitoring measures and regulations on waste collection practices and equipment and against illegal dumping of waste collected by any entity | Reduced leakage of collected waste into the riverine and marine environment; monitored and enforced proper waste collection | DENR-EMB, DILG, MMDA, LGUs, NSWMC | 2021 onward |
4.2 | Prioritise safe closure and rehabilitation of active or abandoned dumpsites, and waste processing or disposal facilities located in unsuitable class="table table-striped" sites. | Closure of 100% of dumpsites; rehabilitation of waste-processing facilities operating as dumpsites | DENR-EMB, DILG, NSWMC | 2021–2025 |
4.3 | Establish environmentally sound infrastructure, identify gaps, and provide funding for solid waste treatment and disposal | Revisited standards for solid waste management (SWM) facilities in light of marine litter; start of construction of sanitary landfills servicing 100% of total residual waste generation; waste treatment/diversion facilities to cater to at least 25% of total or targets set in the Philippine Development Plan | DENR-EMB, DILG, NEDA, NSWMC | 2021–2030 |
5. | Reduce maritime sources of marine litter | |||
5.1 | Mainstream marine litter lens in national marine and maritime policies, which are informed by and for eventual customisation, to local needs | Reviewed, issued/enacted, or amended as necessary, and localised national policies in view of marine litter prevention and management | NCWC, DOTr, DENR-EMB/BMB | 2021–2024 |
5.2 | Ensure effective and efficient ship waste management, transport, treatment, recovery, and disposal at national and municipal ports | Access of ships and ports to waste management services and facilities; agreed upon inter- | PCG, MARINA, PPA, NCWC, DENR, DILG | 2021 onwards |
5.3 | Prevent, recover, and manage abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gears (ALDFG), seaweed-growing media, and aquaculture floaters. | Reduction in observed ALDFG/aquaculture gears disposed/abandoned; increased fished-out litter | DA-BFAR, DILG, NCWC, DENR | 2021 onwards |
6. | Manage existing litter in riverine and marine environments | |||
6.1 | Develop sustainable clean-up programmes and schemes, prioritising hotspots for existing marine litter | Regularly conducted, monitored, evaluated, and reported riverine and coastal clean-up (alongside social marketing and wide- scale awareness campaigns as elaborated | DENR, other mandamus agencies, LGUs | 2021 onwards |
6.2 | Employ technology-based solutions to collect and capture marine litter as support measures in the implementation of local SWM programmes | Adopted existing and innovative solutions and engineering intervention measures | DENR, DOST | 2020 onwards |
Enabling and cross-cutting cluster | ||||
7. | Enhance policy support and enforcement for marine litter prevention and management | |||
7.1 | Mainstream marine litter lens in national policies and programmes | Marine litter management mainstreamed into national policies and programmes | NEDA, DENR, DILG, DA-BFAR, NSWMC, DTI, Congress, NCWC, DOTr, DOST | 2021 onwards |
7.2 | Mainstream marine litter lens in local development, sectoral and investment plans, policies, and budgeting | Marine litter mirrored in local environmental ordinances, programmes, and budgets | DILG, LGU | 2021 onwards |
7.3 | Enhance monitoring and enforcement of marine litter-relevant laws, specifically through existing law enforcement bodies | Enforcement mechanisms viewed with a marine litter lens and strengthened | DENR | 2021 onwards |
7.4 | Participate in other venues of influence towards a global and regional governance and information-sharing framework for across-the-board actions by nation-states, business, scientific community, and the public | Archipelagic and developing country perspective shared in inter-governmental | Country representatives | 2021 onwards |
8. | Develop and implement strategic and targeted social marketing and communications campaigns using various media | |||
8.1 | Formulate an effective national social marketing and strategic communication plan for marine litter prevention and management | National social marketing and strategic communication plan for marine litter prevention and management | DENR | 2021 onwards |
8.2 | Implement massive campaigns and outreach programmes that target specific stakeholders to take interest in connecting their day-to-day actions with marine litter impacts and do their share | Massively implemented social marketing campaigns with links to infrastructures or systems | LGUs, DENR, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DSWD | 2021 onwards |
8.3 | Capacitate national agencies and LGUs on relevant laws and measures for the prevention and management of marine litter, including strategic training rollout | Capacitated NGAs, LGUs, and other implementers/message conduits | DENR, PCOO/PIA, DILG | 2022 onwards |
8.4 | Incorporate marine litter issues, SCP, waste management, environmental concerns, and shared responsibility in school curriculums by building on the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9512 and RA 9003. | Marine litter lens is reflected in the National Environmental Education Action Plan and academic and vocational curriculums | DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR, SUCs/HEIs | 2022 onwards |
9. | Enable sufficient and cost-effective financing and other institutional resource requirements for the implementation of the NPOA-ML | |||
9.1 | Identify and address barriers to private-sector investments or public–private partnerships aimed at reducing marine litter | Baseline and policy analysis and recommendations to address the barriers to private sector investment | DOF, NEDA, DTI, DENR, NSWMC, PPP Center | 2022 |
9.2 | Provide sufficient national government budget for NPOA-ML implementation | Proposed and approved national budget through annual budget appropriations | DBM, NEDA, Congress | 2022 |
9.3 | Ensure LGUs have adequate resources | Local budget is supplemented by national budget; resources made available and | DBM, DILG | 2022 |
10. | Strengthen LGU capacities and local-level implementation of NPOA-ML | |||
10.1 | Develop a roadmap for the local-level implementation of the NPOA-ML | Roadmap for NPOA-ML localisation, in consideration of gender and development, climate change, livelihood lens, and care | DILG, DENR, LGU leagues | 2020–2021 |
10.2 | Conduct capacity building and support best practice sharing/learning to enhance technical competencies of LGUs and clusters of LGUs | Enhanced capacity of LGUs on marine litter prevention and management | DILG, DENR, LGU leagues | 2021 onwards |
10.3 | Ensure continuity of good local marine litter-relevant programmes amidst local political transition/turnovers | Institutionalised long-term sustainability criteria and reinforcement mechanisms, with organisational structure and annual budget; enhanced political will; formulated and implemented rewards and penalty systems for LGUs | DILG, DENR, NSWMC | 2021 onwards |
CHED – Commission on Higher Education; DA-BFAR – Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; DBM – Department of Budget and Management; DENR – Department of Environment and Natural Resources; DENR-BMB – Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau; DENR-EMB – Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau; DENR-ERDB – Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau; DepEd – Department of Education; DICT – Department of Information and Communications Technology; DILG – Department of the Interior and Local Government; DOF – Department of Finance; DOST – Department of Science and Technology; DOTr – Department of Transportation; DSWD – Development of Social Welfare and Development; DTI – Department of Trade and Industry; DTI-BOI – Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments; DTI-BPS – Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Philippine Standards; HEIs – higher education institutions; LGU – local government unit; MARINA – Maritime Industry Authority; MMDA – Metro Manila Development Authority; NCWC – National Coast Watch Center; NEDA – National Economic and Development Authority; NGAs – national government agencies; NSWMC – National Solid Waste Management Commission; PCG – Philippine Coast Guard; PCOO – Presidential Communications Operations Office; PIA – Philippine Information Agency; PPP Center – Public–Private Partnership Center; SUCs – state universities and colleges; TESDA – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
Source: DENR (2021b).
Section 5 of the circular declares that all initiatives and targets provided in the NPOA-ML shall be translated into operational plan indicating targets until 2040. The DENR is authorised to coordinate partners in implementing and mainstreaming the NPOA-ML with the plans proposed by local government units and other government agencies.
Institutional capacity to support the operationalisation and localisation of the NPOA-ML will be strengthened through the UN–Habitat Philippines’ Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative (HOCCI) (UN–Habitat, 2021), a regional project funded by the Government of Japan.
HOCCI’s main objective is to localise the NPOA-ML in six partner cities in the Philippines (Manila, Calapan, Legazpi, Ormoc, Cagayan De Oro, and Davao). Many activities will be conducted, amongst which are (PACE, 2021):
Waste surveys using Waste Wise Cities Tool
Workshops of city stakeholders on 3Rs
Developing a marine litter action plan
Implementation of the pilot projects
Development of knowledge products, capacity-building, and/or information, education, and communication
Development of three policy papers
Monitoring and evaluation of progress in implementing the City Plan of Action on Marine Litter (CPOA-ML)
Sharing good practices, lessons learnt, and future actions.
The partner cities are developing their CPOA-ML, anchored on the 10 strategies of the NPOA-ML. They will be the first cities in the Philippines to have a localised version of the NPOA-ML.
Another related action plan is mentioned in Section 16 of RA No. 9003, which states: ‘Province, city or municipality, through its local solid waste management boards, shall prepare its respective 10-year solid waste management plans consistent with the National Solid Waste Management Framework’. The plan, which should substantially include all the components identified and mandated in RA No. 9003, shall be submitted for review and approval to the National Solid Waste Management Commission (DENR, 2015). An example of the proposed plan is the 10-year (2014–2024) solid waste management plan of the municipality of Rizal in Laguna Province.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) (2015), National Solid Waste Management Status Report (2008–2014). DENR. https://nswmc.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Solid-Wastefinaldraft-12.29.15.pdf (accessed 23 October 2019).
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) (2021a), DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2021-10. https://apidb.denr.gov.ph/infores/uploads/DMC-2021-10.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1cRacmcm_EQsqqaUsSpDkWJW_r_lkJKqLyXaXA96pem2KyOFXhN3NCEbI (accessed 12 October 2021).
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) (2021b), National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter. https://nswmc.emb.gov.ph/ (accessed 6 June 2022).
PACE (2021), Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative. https://pacecircular.org/healthy-oceans-and-clean-cities-initiative (accessed 12 October 2021).
Republic of the Philippines (2000), Republic Act No. 9003. https://emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/RA-9003.pdf (accessed 21 October 2021).
UN-Habitat (2021), Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative. http://unhabitat.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UNH-PH-2021-Brochure-Healthy-Oceans-and-Clean-Cities-Initiative.pdf (accessed 12 October 2021).
The National Solid Waste Management Commission Resolution No. 1441, Series of 2021, adopting the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML) was approved on 12 May 2021. The NPOA-ML was then adopted in August 2021 based on Memorandum Circular No. 2021-10 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The NPOA-ML provides a blueprint to enhance efforts in resource and waste management and to bring an additional lens to marine litter issues and control additional leakage of waste into the bodies of water. It aims for ‘zero waste to Philippine waters by 2040’ towards the vision of ‘a Philippines free of marine litter through shared responsibility, accountability, and participatory governance
Two clusters of action have been classified: (1) programmatic cluster, which focuses on maximising common implementation of sectoral initiatives; and (2) enabling and cross-cutting cluster, which covers cross-sectoral initiatives. The clusters consist of 10 strategies and 35 actions (Table 1).
Table 1. Strategies and Actions in the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter
No. | Action | Expected Outcome | Lead Authority* | Timeline |
Programmatic cluster | ||||
1. | Establish science- and evidence-based baseline information on marine litter | |||
1.1 | Develop national research framework and programme for monitoring and assessment of marine litter | National programme on monitoring and assessment of marine litter and microplastics | DENR-EMB/ERDB, DOST Research Councils | 2021–2022 |
1.2 | Standardise methodology and appropriate data collection system for marine litter information | Nationally standardised methodology and information system for baselining marine litter leakage and accumulation from all | DENR-EMB/BMB, NSWMC, DICT, DOST | 2021–2022 |
1.3 | Carry out a national baseline assessment on waste leakage and accumulation of marine litter | Assessed, compiled, and published definitive national marine litter baseline | DENR-EMB/BMB/ERDB, | 2021–2022 |
1.4 | Make available and accessible science- and evidence-based and vetted information on national marine litter baselines | Clearinghouse and data management system for national baseline information; networks | DENR | 2023 onwards |
2. | Mainstream circular economy (CE) and sustainable consumption and production (SCP) initiatives | |||
2.1 | Map out existing and support research and innovation for CE/SCP in the context of marine litter prevention and reduction | Innovation centres and networks established for CE/SCP; tested, | NEDA, DOST, | 2021 onwards |
2.2 | Develop stakeholder- and industry-led marine litter strategy roadmaps to reduce marine litter with set targets within a prescribed timeframe | Developed roadmaps for industry (material- specific) and start-ups, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, with set targets within agreed upon time frame | Private sector, companies along the value chain, marine-based industries | 2021–2022 |
2.3 | Develop and implement an extended stakeholder responsibility (ESR) system applicable in the Philippine context, along the manufacturing–retail value chain, and ensure integration of the informal and semi-formal waste sector as well as communities | National definition and framework for ESR; ESR readiness and policy studies for packaging; legislation initiated for a phase- | Congress/ policymakers, DENR, DTI | 2021–2025 |
2.4 | Develop and implement a plan for a phase-wise shift to inclusive circularity | Action plans and complementary policies/actions on implemented CE/SCP initiatives | DTI-BOI/BPS, DENR, private sector | 2021 onwards |
2.5 | Provide other enabling policies and systems for CE/SCP | Strengthened enabling environment for sustainable products/services | Congress/ policymakers, DENR, DTI | 2021 onwards |
3. | Enhance recovery and recycling coverage and markets | |||
3.1 | Strengthen domestic recycling industry for all types of materials and enable mechanisms for recyclables market creation and scaling with the involvement of all stakeholders along the value chain | Updated study, framework, and master plan on recycling system; updated standards for products and procurement | DTI, DBM, recycling industry and value | 2021 onwards |
3.2 | Establish and link markets for recyclables and recycled materials, with priority on locally recovered materials | Inventory of markets, including prices; improved logistics for LGUs nationwide; stable class="table table-striped" prices for recyclables | DTI, NSWMC, DENR | 2021 onwards |
3.3 | Support efforts of local government units on segregated collection, materials recovery, and processing | Increased capacities (in tonnes) of segregated, collected, and processed recyclable and potentially recyclable materials | DENR, DILG, NSWMC, LGUs | 2021 onwards |
3.4 | Explore options for management of residual waste, including waste-to-energy option | Reduction in land disposal of biodegradable or low- value residuals | DENR | 2021 onwards |
4. | Prevent leakage from collected or disposed waste | |||
4.1 | Enforce appropriate monitoring measures and regulations on waste collection practices and equipment and against illegal dumping of waste collected by any entity | Reduced leakage of collected waste into the riverine and marine environment; monitored and enforced proper waste collection | DENR-EMB, DILG, MMDA, LGUs, NSWMC | 2021 onward |
4.2 | Prioritise safe closure and rehabilitation of active or abandoned dumpsites, and waste processing or disposal facilities located in unsuitable class="table table-striped" sites. | Closure of 100% of dumpsites; rehabilitation of waste-processing facilities operating as dumpsites | DENR-EMB, DILG, NSWMC | 2021–2025 |
4.3 | Establish environmentally sound infrastructure, identify gaps, and provide funding for solid waste treatment and disposal | Revisited standards for solid waste management (SWM) facilities in light of marine litter; start of construction of sanitary landfills servicing 100% of total residual waste generation; waste treatment/diversion facilities to cater to at least 25% of total or targets set in the Philippine Development Plan | DENR-EMB, DILG, NEDA, NSWMC | 2021–2030 |
5. | Reduce maritime sources of marine litter | |||
5.1 | Mainstream marine litter lens in national marine and maritime policies, which are informed by and for eventual customisation, to local needs | Reviewed, issued/enacted, or amended as necessary, and localised national policies in view of marine litter prevention and management | NCWC, DOTr, DENR-EMB/BMB | 2021–2024 |
5.2 | Ensure effective and efficient ship waste management, transport, treatment, recovery, and disposal at national and municipal ports | Access of ships and ports to waste management services and facilities; agreed upon inter- | PCG, MARINA, PPA, NCWC, DENR, DILG | 2021 onwards |
5.3 | Prevent, recover, and manage abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gears (ALDFG), seaweed-growing media, and aquaculture floaters. | Reduction in observed ALDFG/aquaculture gears disposed/abandoned; increased fished-out litter | DA-BFAR, DILG, NCWC, DENR | 2021 onwards |
6. | Manage existing litter in riverine and marine environments | |||
6.1 | Develop sustainable clean-up programmes and schemes, prioritising hotspots for existing marine litter | Regularly conducted, monitored, evaluated, and reported riverine and coastal clean-up (alongside social marketing and wide- scale awareness campaigns as elaborated | DENR, other mandamus agencies, LGUs | 2021 onwards |
6.2 | Employ technology-based solutions to collect and capture marine litter as support measures in the implementation of local SWM programmes | Adopted existing and innovative solutions and engineering intervention measures | DENR, DOST | 2020 onwards |
Enabling and cross-cutting cluster | ||||
7. | Enhance policy support and enforcement for marine litter prevention and management | |||
7.1 | Mainstream marine litter lens in national policies and programmes | Marine litter management mainstreamed into national policies and programmes | NEDA, DENR, DILG, DA-BFAR, NSWMC, DTI, Congress, NCWC, DOTr, DOST | 2021 onwards |
7.2 | Mainstream marine litter lens in local development, sectoral and investment plans, policies, and budgeting | Marine litter mirrored in local environmental ordinances, programmes, and budgets | DILG, LGU | 2021 onwards |
7.3 | Enhance monitoring and enforcement of marine litter-relevant laws, specifically through existing law enforcement bodies | Enforcement mechanisms viewed with a marine litter lens and strengthened | DENR | 2021 onwards |
7.4 | Participate in other venues of influence towards a global and regional governance and information-sharing framework for across-the-board actions by nation-states, business, scientific community, and the public | Archipelagic and developing country perspective shared in inter-governmental | Country representatives | 2021 onwards |
8. | Develop and implement strategic and targeted social marketing and communications campaigns using various media | |||
8.1 | Formulate an effective national social marketing and strategic communication plan for marine litter prevention and management | National social marketing and strategic communication plan for marine litter prevention and management | DENR | 2021 onwards |
8.2 | Implement massive campaigns and outreach programmes that target specific stakeholders to take interest in connecting their day-to-day actions with marine litter impacts and do their share | Massively implemented social marketing campaigns with links to infrastructures or systems | LGUs, DENR, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DSWD | 2021 onwards |
8.3 | Capacitate national agencies and LGUs on relevant laws and measures for the prevention and management of marine litter, including strategic training rollout | Capacitated NGAs, LGUs, and other implementers/message conduits | DENR, PCOO/PIA, DILG | 2022 onwards |
8.4 | Incorporate marine litter issues, SCP, waste management, environmental concerns, and shared responsibility in school curriculums by building on the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9512 and RA 9003. | Marine litter lens is reflected in the National Environmental Education Action Plan and academic and vocational curriculums | DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR, SUCs/HEIs | 2022 onwards |
9. | Enable sufficient and cost-effective financing and other institutional resource requirements for the implementation of the NPOA-ML | |||
9.1 | Identify and address barriers to private-sector investments or public–private partnerships aimed at reducing marine litter | Baseline and policy analysis and recommendations to address the barriers to private sector investment | DOF, NEDA, DTI, DENR, NSWMC, PPP Center | 2022 |
9.2 | Provide sufficient national government budget for NPOA-ML implementation | Proposed and approved national budget through annual budget appropriations | DBM, NEDA, Congress | 2022 |
9.3 | Ensure LGUs have adequate resources | Local budget is supplemented by national budget; resources made available and | DBM, DILG | 2022 |
10. | Strengthen LGU capacities and local-level implementation of NPOA-ML | |||
10.1 | Develop a roadmap for the local-level implementation of the NPOA-ML | Roadmap for NPOA-ML localisation, in consideration of gender and development, climate change, livelihood lens, and care | DILG, DENR, LGU leagues | 2020–2021 |
10.2 | Conduct capacity building and support best practice sharing/learning to enhance technical competencies of LGUs and clusters of LGUs | Enhanced capacity of LGUs on marine litter prevention and management | DILG, DENR, LGU leagues | 2021 onwards |
10.3 | Ensure continuity of good local marine litter-relevant programmes amidst local political transition/turnovers | Institutionalised long-term sustainability criteria and reinforcement mechanisms, with organisational structure and annual budget; enhanced political will; formulated and implemented rewards and penalty systems for LGUs | DILG, DENR, NSWMC | 2021 onwards |
CHED – Commission on Higher Education; DA-BFAR – Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; DBM – Department of Budget and Management; DENR – Department of Environment and Natural Resources; DENR-BMB – Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau; DENR-EMB – Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau; DENR-ERDB – Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau; DepEd – Department of Education; DICT – Department of Information and Communications Technology; DILG – Department of the Interior and Local Government; DOF – Department of Finance; DOST – Department of Science and Technology; DOTr – Department of Transportation; DSWD – Development of Social Welfare and Development; DTI – Department of Trade and Industry; DTI-BOI – Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments; DTI-BPS – Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Philippine Standards; HEIs – higher education institutions; LGU – local government unit; MARINA – Maritime Industry Authority; MMDA – Metro Manila Development Authority; NCWC – National Coast Watch Center; NEDA – National Economic and Development Authority; NGAs – national government agencies; NSWMC – National Solid Waste Management Commission; PCG – Philippine Coast Guard; PCOO – Presidential Communications Operations Office; PIA – Philippine Information Agency; PPP Center – Public–Private Partnership Center; SUCs – state universities and colleges; TESDA – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
Source: DENR (2021b).
Section 5 of the circular declares that all initiatives and targets provided in the NPOA-ML shall be translated into operational plan indicating targets until 2040. The DENR is authorised to coordinate partners in implementing and mainstreaming the NPOA-ML with the plans proposed by local government units and other government agencies.
Institutional capacity to support the operationalisation and localisation of the NPOA-ML will be strengthened through the UN–Habitat Philippines’ Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative (HOCCI) (UN–Habitat, 2021), a regional project funded by the Government of Japan.
HOCCI’s main objective is to localise the NPOA-ML in six partner cities in the Philippines (Manila, Calapan, Legazpi, Ormoc, Cagayan De Oro, and Davao). Many activities will be conducted, amongst which are (PACE, 2021):
Waste surveys using Waste Wise Cities Tool
Workshops of city stakeholders on 3Rs
Developing a marine litter action plan
Implementation of the pilot projects
Development of knowledge products, capacity-building, and/or information, education, and communication
Development of three policy papers
Monitoring and evaluation of progress in implementing the City Plan of Action on Marine Litter (CPOA-ML)
Sharing good practices, lessons learnt, and future actions.
The partner cities are developing their CPOA-ML, anchored on the 10 strategies of the NPOA-ML. They will be the first cities in the Philippines to have a localised version of the NPOA-ML.
Another related action plan is mentioned in Section 16 of RA No. 9003, which states: ‘Province, city or municipality, through its local solid waste management boards, shall prepare its respective 10-year solid waste management plans consistent with the National Solid Waste Management Framework’. The plan, which should substantially include all the components identified and mandated in RA No. 9003, shall be submitted for review and approval to the National Solid Waste Management Commission (DENR, 2015). An example of the proposed plan is the 10-year (2014–2024) solid waste management plan of the municipality of Rizal in Laguna Province.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) (2015), National Solid Waste Management Status Report (2008–2014). DENR. https://nswmc.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Solid-Wastefinaldraft-12.29.15.pdf (accessed 23 October 2019).
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) (2021a), DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2021-10. https://apidb.denr.gov.ph/infores/uploads/DMC-2021-10.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1cRacmcm_EQsqqaUsSpDkWJW_r_lkJKqLyXaXA96pem2KyOFXhN3NCEbI (accessed 12 October 2021).
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) (2021b), National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter. https://nswmc.emb.gov.ph/ (accessed 6 June 2022).
PACE (2021), Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative. https://pacecircular.org/healthy-oceans-and-clean-cities-initiative (accessed 12 October 2021).
Republic of the Philippines (2000), Republic Act No. 9003. https://emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/RA-9003.pdf (accessed 21 October 2021).
UN-Habitat (2021), Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative. http://unhabitat.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UNH-PH-2021-Brochure-Healthy-Oceans-and-Clean-Cities-Initiative.pdf (accessed 12 October 2021).
