The city government of Manila is preparing contingency plans to avoid a sanitation crisis following the closure of the Navotas Sanitary Landfill on Tuesday.
Manila Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso said the adjustment will cost the city more but emphasized that public welfare remains a priority.
“We started preparing two weeks ago. I gave a directive to Director Kenneth Amurao and the Department of Public Services (DPS) to make a plan where the number of trucks that our garbage contractor should provide should increase or be increased,” Domagoso said.
Meanwhile, he is appealing to barangay officials, residents, and businesses to patiently wait for garbage trucks as the city divert its waste to the New San Mateo Sanitary Landfill in Rizal beginning August 27.
“As much as possible, let us not take out our garbage until the truck arrives… There might be a delay, maybe 1 hour or 2 (hours) but it won’t pass a day. That’s why I’m asking, I’m begging, if possible, please don’t take out the garbage until the truck arrives,” he said.
Navotas was only about 10 kilometers away from the city while San Mateo is about 30 kilometers from Manila.
Domagoso also recognized the challenges they will be facing ahead including the travel time of trucks as well as the queuing in the new landfill.
“Just imagine the 17 LGUs (local government units in Metro Manila), and maybe from Rizal, too, will now utilize one, the San Mateo landfill,” he said.
