MMDA hauls 156 tons of post-holiday trash

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has collected at least 156 tons of garbage after the holidays, an official said yesterday.

The garbage, approximately 26 truckloads, was collected from Dec. 26, 2014 to Jan. 2, MMDA clearing group chief Francis Martinez said during the agency’s weekly radio program on dzBB.

He said 31 truckloads or 242 tons of garbage was collected during the same period last year.

Martinez said heaps of rotten vegetables and fruits were scattered in Balintawak Market along EDSA after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He said the heaps of garbage, illegal vendors and illegally parked vehicles were to blame for the traffic buildup along EDSA during the holidays.

Martinez said the Quezon City government helped clear the Balintawak Market area.

“MMDA personnel were deployed in the area overnight to prevent vendors from occupying the streets and to direct traffic,” he said.