Serve, understand, respect waste education management (SURWEM): An extension project to strengthen solid waste management in a service Barangay (Arosip) in northern Philippines

Due to the rapid population and economic growth, the environment suffers due to the unprecedented increase in solid waste generation.Based on this global crisis, compliance theory states that organizations must realize the power they must use to direct the behaviour of the stakeholders.In the Philippine context, the government must properly impose the "No Segregation, No Collection" or the NSNC policy to ensure that solid waste issues are properly dealt with.The extension project was based on a completed study that investigated the effectiveness of the implementation of the NSNC policy.It was found that was a low level of awareness by stakeholders in the collection of solid wastes.Overall, there was also a very low level on the level of awareness of the NSNC policy.To address this, the extension project was conducted to train the stakeholders in a service barangay in Norther Philippines.The service barangay was Arosip in the Municipality of Bacnotan, Province of La Union.The stakeholders were trained in the (1) solid waste management and its importance; (2) techniques in reducing waste (segregation, and 3 R's); and (3) proper waste disposal.The strategy imposed in the extension activity to engage the stakeholders in the service barangay Arosip is the "search for the most eco-friendly zone / purok" contest.After the extension activity, barangay folks realized the importance of solid waste management through their utmost participation in all the activities.Moreover, barangay folks implemented different techniques in reducing waste in line with segregation and the 3 R's through varied activities conducted.Because of the extension strategy imposed, the "gulayan sa barangay" was intensified.Finally, barangay puroks actively participated in the various activities in the extension project.Based on these extension project outcomes, it is recommended that the service barangay would consider the establishment of an eco-tourism project.