MMDA warns against dumping of grease, waste products

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has warned all gas stations, food establishments and factories against the indiscriminate dumping of grease and similar waste products.

MMDA Deputy Chairman Cesar Lacuna issued the warning after it was discovered that a significant amount of grease has been dumped into the sewers either directly or through the faucets.

Lacuna, who is in charge of flood control, said that majority of the grease found in the drainage systems reportedly originated from gas stations.

Restaurants and other food establishments that use grease are equally culpable, he said, as they tend to wash the waste product down the drain and into the sewers.

Lacuna explained that grease, along with the rest of solid waste, contributes in clogging up the drainage and eventually compound the flooding problem in Metro Manila.

He said concerned establishments should have grease pits to take in waste products. Those found guilty of non-compliance will be imprisoned with sanctions including revocation of licenses.

Meanwhile, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando has agreed that local government units (LGU) can come up with their own ticketing system for erring motorists.

Earlier, Metro Manila mayors have locked horns with Fernando over the issue. Fernando said that the individual ticketing system that the mayors want may confuse motorists. He also stressed that the signle ticketing system now being implemented is mandated under the MMDA Charter or RA 7924. The mayors, however, insisted that it individual ticketing is part of the concept of local autonomy.

The motorists would then have to contend with different traffic rules for each LGU.