The treatment of solid waste is a major priority in countries across Southeast Asia. Economic development and population growth, particularly in the region's mega-cities, have made the challenge more acute. This is particularly true in the Philippines, where the legacy of dangerous open dump sites such as 'Smokey Mountain' have kept the issue high on the political agenda. This study looks at how a municipal government in one of the Philippines's provinces should organize its solid waste management plans to meet strict new national targets. It recommends that the local government charge user fees for its waste collection & disposal services and recommends a level of service that will reflect people's preferences, However, even with this level of charges, the study warns of a funding gap and says that the local government may have to divert as much as 25% of its development fund to pay for it.