Recto: No garbage crisis in Metro Manila, only improper disposal

MANILA, Philippines — The recent floods caused partly by trash-clogged waterways reflected a crisis that stemmed not from garbage itself, but the way trash is disposed of, Malacañang said.

Metro Manila’s garbage problem was among the issues discussed during a meeting of state agencies with local governments on Aug. 20 at the Office of the Executive Secretary.

“It appeared during our meeting that there is no garbage crisis in Metro Manila, but there is a crisis in the improper disposal of garbage,” Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said in a statement issued yesterday.

“The message of the President is clear: this is a problem that needs a whole-of-society approach, together with our citizens,” he added.

Recto called for a “culture of discipline,” noting that the “first line of defense” against floods and waste starts with communities.

“If the drainage and roads are turned into trash bins, the rivers become an expressway for garbage during a downpour. The garbage has no toll gate so they continue to flow until they reach Manila Bay or any larger waterway,” the executive secretary said.

Recto urged Filipinos to change the way they get rid of garbage and to observe proper segregation and disposal.

“It is not difficult to do because if Filipinos are in other countries, they follow the law, the time for garbage collection, the segregation and the throwing of waste in proper places. We can be disciplined. I hope we will demonstrate it more in our own country,” he added.

A statement released by Recto’s office said the national government is “all out” in addressing floods and the garbage problem. Efforts to clean drainage systems and to strengthen solid waste management are underway, it added.

Efforts to mitigate the perennial flooding problem are carried out through the government’s Oplan Kontra Baha, which involves clearing, declogging and desilting operations.

According to the Office of the Executive Secretary, the government is studying measures to ease the garbage woes, including allocating a portion of the National Tax Allotment of local governments for solid waste management projects and establishing the Cleanest Barangay Program, which will provide incentives to villages that are efficient in keeping their area clean.

Earlier this month, President Marcos described as “critical” the garbage problem that contributed to floods in portions of Metro Manila and nearby areas. He said the government is identifying the possible location of waste-to-energy plants to minimize the hauling costs that local governments would shoulder in transporting garbage.

The administration has also identified 39 possible sites for rainwater catchment structures and has announced a plan to install or upgrade 13 additional pumping stations in Metro Manila.

Compromised projects

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon visited the flood-hit towns of Hagonoy and Paombong in Bulacan last Saturday to evaluate infrastructure conditions.

They found that dilapidated and damaged portions of seawalls left barangays Masukol and Sta. Cruz in Paombong heavily exposed to severe coastal flooding.

Dizon said contractors should be compelled to rehabilitate the compromised structures under their warranties.

He announced a plan to place hexapods in flood-prone areas to counter strong currents and ensure the safety of local communities.