Exploring the implementation barriers of eco-toilet system in the Philippines using Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) approach

© 2020 IOP Publishing Ltd. Eco-Toilet system (ETS) is an emerging sanitation technology that promotes water conservation and nutrient recovery. Although many kinds of literature support the promising benefits of ETS, the implementation of such technology in the Philippines still faces a myriad of challenges. The study found out that the implementation of ETS in the country was affected by the following barriers: (a) policy and institutional capacity/commitment, (b) investment/financial issues, (c) technology and operation viability, and (d) social acceptance. DEMATEL was used as an analytical framework to investigate these key barriers. This method utilized the value judgments of experts and converted this information into quantitative data. Several computations were applied to reveal the causal relationships and prominence of the implementation barriers of ETS in the Philippines. Therefore, this study can benefit decision-makers in addressing implementation issues involving ETS projects in the country