MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is urging barangays to join its “estero blitz” anti-flood drive that aims to clear esteros and waterways of trash and debris.
Last Tuesday, the MMDA resumed its “estero blitz” drive with the clearing of the Estero de Kabulusan in Pritil, Tondo.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency’s estero clearing drive is in line with the agency’s enforcement of Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act.
“Inuna po namin ang lungsod ng Maynila dahil sa tingin namin ay naririto iyong mga taong makikiisa sa programang ito,” Tolentino said.
“Hindi po namin ito kayang gawin araw-araw. Ang gagawa po nito at mamumuno ay mga barangay officials. Kung kaya nga po iyong ating gagawin ngayon ay hindi po magtatapos. Ito po ay ipagpapatuloy ninyo at araw-araw ninyong imi-maintain ang kalinisan. Kaya po tayo nagkakabaha ay dahil sa basura,” he added.
The MMDA’s “estero blitz” campaign is now on its fifth year. For this year, the MMDA said they also intend to clean and public markets in addition to creeks and esteros.
Some 400 personnel will be mobilized for this year's “estero blitz by the MMDA. The cleanup operations will be conducted in two barangays every Tuesdays and Fridays of every week.