There is an urgent and critical need to address the current SWM situation in Metro Manila. Due to the forced closure of the two primary disposal facilities, the metropolitan area has been without adequate and environmentally safe waste disposal mechanisms. Compounded by weak institutional and technical capacity to plan and respond appropriately, the SWM sector is in crisis. The resulting impacts are significant and immediate: An estimated 6,000 tons per day of refuse is
being diverted to uncontrolled open municipal dumpsites, burned illegally, or dumped within vacant land areas and waterways in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. The Government is implementing interim (controlled dumpsite) and long-term (sanitary landfill) facilities; however, complex technical, legal, siting, and community acceptance issues need to be addressed.
