The Taguig city government has launched a new project designed to address its flooding problem and protect the residents from dengue.
Mayor Laarni Cayetano said the project, dubbed “3-in-1 Cleanup Drive,” was conceptualized to deal with one of the main causes of floodings—garbage that gets stuck in waterways.
Cayetano formed Task Force on Flood Control and Management to ensure that the cleanup is not just a one-day event, but will become a major part of the local government’s long-term plan against flooding.
“It’s not just a one-day cleanup. The task force will determine the areas to be cleaned on a daily basis,” the mayor said.
Cayetano, who made the announcement during the celebration of National Cleanup Day 2022, said the project was also compliant with a Supreme Court ruling on the cleaning of Manila Bay.
“The project is further seen as part of the city’s compliance to the Supreme Court’s directive to clean Manila Bay and the waterways leading to it,” she said.
The city government ensures that the project is concerted and comprehensive, and will be sustained as it also aims to prevent outbreaks of dengue, which is primarily caused by mosquitoes that thrive in dirty environments.
The cleanup drive drew hundreds of volunteers, proving that the project is a collaboration among stakeholders and different sectors. “We will encourage all of them to participate and help clean up their communities,” said Cayetano.
The comprehensive 3-in-1 project will also include proper waste segregation and disposal by restaurants, business establishments like batching plants, and households in the city.
The City Planning and Development Office will include an additional condition of having grease traps, interceptors, oil separators, or holding tanks for wastes which can be harmful to the drainage system or to the public sewer system.
The project also eyes long-term components such as formulation of a drainage plan, rehabilitation of the drainage system, and separation of rainwater and sewerage systems.
