The government is strongly encouraging people to reduce, reuse, and recycle to minimize waste and prevent waterway clogging in the metropolis.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes emphasized that effective waste management involves recycling and segregating waste, particularly biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials, to reduce accumulated waste and promote sustainability.
Artes said that reducing the amount of waste through recycling is essential since clogged waterways are a major cause of flooding in Metro Manila. “It will help if the accumulated waste is reduced through recycling,” he said.
Since July 25, the MMDA has cleared over 1,513 tons of garbage in the National Capital Region following the impact of Super Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.
The agency’s Metro Parkways Clearing Group collected the garbage that was piled up on the roads from July 24 to August 5. Artes said the cleaning and hauling of typhoon-generated garbage is ongoing, and more trash is expected to be collected in the coming days.
During the recent storms, the accumulation of garbage was the main reason for blocked street drainages. As part of the MMDA’s flood management efforts, Chairman Artes mentioned that additional trash traps will be installed in waterways to prevent garbage from clogging pumping stations and causing damage.
