Metro Manila garbage problem ‘worse’ this year with 56,000 cubic meters of trash a day —MMDA

It appears that Metro Manila has yet to win its long-running battle with garbage. In fact, the region's trash problem has just become worse this year, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

According to a report on "Balitanghali" on Tuesday, 2018 data from the MMDA  shows that 56,000 cubic meters of trash is produced in the National Capital Region (NCR) per day, an increase from the 54,000 cubic meters recorded in the previous year.

When asked about contributors to the "worsened" situation, the MMDA cited the growing population and the lack of public awareness on solid waste management.

"Number one ho — population," MMDA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago said, adding, "Kakaunti lang ho 'yung may sapat na kaalaman sa usapin ng solid waste."

The MMDA also found that 44 percent of the volume of garbage produced in NCR is biodegradable, while 32 percent is non-biodegradable.

It reportedly takes trucks 1,200 to 1,500 trips to transport the trash everyday to sanitary landfills in San Mateo and Rodriguez in Rizal, as well as one in Navotas.

With the Payatas landfill shut down last year, the government is proposing the use of sites in Norzagaray, Bulacan and Clark, Pampanga.

The MMDA, however, said the three available landfills can still remain operational for a few more years.

"'Yung Navotas po, tatagal pa po 'yan ng at least eight to nine years. 'Yung Rizal naman ho natin, 'yung Rodriguez, tatagal naman 'to ng 17 years. 'Yung San Mateo naman natin, medyo malapit-lapit na. Apat na taon na lang," Pialago said.

Aside from assessing possible landfill sites, the MMDA is also determined to ramp up its information drive on solid waste management.

Meanwhile, pro-environment group Ecowaste Coalition emphasized that apart from the public, manufacturers are also the primary sources of garbage, saying they too should be held accountable.

"May participation po sana ang mga communities natin and more than participation ay nakikita natin 'yung accountability po ng mga manufacturers at sila mismo ang pinagmumulan ng mga nagpo-produce o paglikha ng mga single-use packaging or mga products na nag-e-end up sa mga sanitary landfill," zero-waste campaigner Daniel Alejandre said.

The environment group also urged both government and the public to take immediate action to address the aggravated garbage problem in the NCR.

"May pag-asa kung ang tanong kung may pag-asa. Pero hanggang kailan 'yung pag-asa? Dapat ang pag-aksyon ay ngayon na," Alejandre added. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News