MMDA suggests waste incineration to ease Metro Manila's flooding woes

Amid the massive trash that was blamed for the massive flood brought by Typhoon Carina-enhanced Habagat, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) floated the idea of incinerating solid waste in the National Capital Region (NCR).

At the Saturday News Forum, MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana said incineration of solid waste is allowed in advanced neighboring countries such as Singapore, Korea, and Japan.

“I think it’s high time to consider incineration,” Lipana said.

The MMDA official said the government should explain to the public that the environmental impact of incineration is less compared to improper waste disposal.

Echoing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pointing to trash which brought deep flood waters during heavy rains, Lipana said the public’s lack of discipline as far as proper waste disposal is concerned “is very unfortunate.”

Marcos, last Thursday, said, “Sana matuto naman ang tao. Huwag kayong nagtatapon ng basura dahil ‘yung basura, ‘yun ang nagbara doon sa mga pump natin kaya hindi kasing effective na puwede.” 

For her part, Public Works Undersecretary Catalina Cabral said regular desilting, declogging, and clearing of debris of drainage systems would also help in addressing heavy flooding.

Environment Undersecretary Noralene Uy said that poorly planned urban development, environmental degradation, and weak governance in all sectors in Metro Manila could be blamed for massive flooding in NCR. —VAL, GMA Integrated News