Opportunities and Threats to Adjacent Community in a Sanitary Landfill, Philippines

This study assessed the adjacent community in Cebu City Sanitary Landfill (CCSL), Philippines. Data were gathered on April, 2011 using interview-questionnaire covering sixty three households. Areas assessed include the general household profile, perceived opportunities, water resources and utilization, health status and services, waste management practices, and perception to CCSL management and institutions. Result showed that households perceived opportunities in CCSL as a result of employment, resources, and security through informal workforce like scavenging. However, the adjacent community was found to be at high risk owing to use of contaminated groundwater and unsafe waste management practices. These threats were manifested through prevalence of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and dermal diseases. Households also acknowledged the negative impacts to health and environment however their major concern was accessed to employment upon closure and relocation of CCSL. The study provided basis for policy makers and concern institutions on identifying basic services to be made available to the adjacent community considering the closure of CCSL