Abstract
This study evaluates how national and local solid waste management (SWM) policies are implemented in the Philippines, focusing on Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) and comparative insights from Quezon City and Cebu City. Using a mixed-method approach that integrates meta-analysis of secondary data with hermeneutic interpretation of policy texts, the author assesses the real-world performance of Republic Act No. 9003 (Ecological SWM Act) and the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 (RA 11898). Findings reveal persistent implementation gaps despite the presence of robust legal frameworks. CDO shows promise through barangay-level composting and "no segregation, no collection" policies, but faces bottlenecks in market integration and facility capacity. Quezon City demonstrates institutional progress but still depends heavily on landfilling. Cebu City struggles with policy discontinuity, reflected in sharp budget cuts and idle infrastructure. Across all cases, the mandated 25–50% diversion targets remain largely unmet due to weak enforcement, insufficient infrastructure, and limited alignment with circular economy goals. This study highlights that policy effectiveness requires more than legislative design; it depends on adaptive local governance, cross-sector collaboration, and public engagement. By quantifying outcomes and interpreting policy narratives, this study offers critical insight into how SWM systems can evolve beyond compliance toward long-term sustainability.
