Previously, waste management on the island relied heavily on mixed rubbish collection and open dumping.
“Because we’re a coastal island, waste (can) easily wash straight into the ocean,” said Gina Barquilla, head of the municipal environment and natural resources office in Del Carmen, a town on the western side of Siargao.
With open dumpsites now prohibited and the island’s sensitive coastal environment ruling out a sanitary landfill, the local government must rely on source segregation.
A materials recovery facility has been established to process sorted waste, integrating wastewater and solid waste management into a centralised place. It composts biodegradable materials and recycles reusable items. A waste-to-fuel machine also converts certain non-recyclable plastics into usable fuel.
But infrastructure alone will not solve the problem. Barquilla said the success of such initiatives depends on cooperation from residents and visitors, supported by clear local policies and consistent enforcement.
“Above all, this is really about the cooperation of the local government with the community,” she said.
Local authorities are also seeking greater support from the national government to address the infrastructure gap.
“To have sustainable tourism, we should be fully supported by the national government. We don’t have the capacity to build all those infrastructures,” said vice mayor Rusillon-Sajulga.
