Implementing Regional Ecology Centers in the Visayas Region, Philippines: Networking to Enhance Sector Development and Solid Waste Management

Local government units (LGUs) are primarily tasked by law to implement solid waste management (SWM) in the Philippines. But as in other developing countries, technical and financial constraints and limited political tenure delay SWM enhancement. Nevertheless, the law mandates the creation of multisectoral Regional Ecology Centers (RECs) that serve as platform for public participation, capacity development, knowledge transfer and networking. In partnership with Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the first RECs were established in Region 6 (Western Visayas) and Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) with development support from the German International Cooperation (GIZ). Upon formulation of mission and vision statements, signing of Memorandum of Commitment and creation of working committees, the RECs pioneered in conducting annual regional SWM summits for sharing of best practices and by strengthening networking and sector development.