In response to the ineffective implementation of R.A. 9003, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) to launch on January 3, 2005 a support program called Solid Waste Management for Local Government Units in the Visayas (SWM4LGUs).

The SWM4LGUs is implemented in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureaus (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The initial focus of operations will be in the Visayas area, specifically Regions VI, VII and VIII.

The overall goal of GTZ’s program is to enable LGUs to comply with R.A. 9003. Thus, LGUs will be qualified to establish integrated solid waste management systems and operate them in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner.

The program aims to strengthen the capability of experts in the EMB and to improve their performance in regulatory and development functions. This is necessary to achieve implementation of R.A. 9003.

To establish showcases and demonstrate best practices in solid waste management, capacity development of selected LGUs will take place. Expert training and planning support will also be provided to these LGUs to assist them to implement R.A. 9003.

In this program, GTZ’s strategic approach is to provide technical expertise and knowledge transfer to key personnel in the EMB and selected LGUs. The establishment of pilot projects and model solid waste management (SWM) activities will be the key methods used to enable knowledge transfer. To achieve this, a special program office has been set up at the DENR-EMB compound in Iloilo City and a team of national and international long- and short-term experts has been employed by GTZ.

The Visayas area is the focus of German development assistance in the Philippines. The City of Iloilo has been chosen as a pilot LGU for the first phase of the program. Through the program, technical support will be extended to other cities in the Visayas such as Dumaguete and Bayawan City in Region VII, and Maasin and Ormoc City in Region VIII. Financial assistance is provided to LGUs, if requested, through the Credit Line for Solid Waste Management (CL-SWM) managed by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). The DBP has received funds from a financial assistance program offered by the German Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). However, the technical assistance for LGUs provided by GTZ is given preferably to LGUs and cities acquiring for the loan assistance offered by KfW, it is not a precondition as such.