870 tons of trash collected in Metro Manila after Habagat, Carina — MMDA

Some 870 tons of trash have been collected in the National Capital Region (NCR) following the onslaught of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat enhanced by Super Typhoon Carina, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

According to a report Saturday by Carlo Mateo on Super Radyo dzBB, MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes said this was the volume of garbage of collected from July 24 until July 31 alone.

Multiple neighborhoods in Metro Manila were swamped on Wednesday last week as relentless rains pummeled the Philippine capital, causing creeks, rivers, and drainage systems to overflow.

Metro Manila, along with nearby provinces, was placed under a state of calamity.

The next day, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. pointed to climate change and trash as causes of the massive flooding.

Marcos said that improper waste disposal has also resulted in deep flood waters during heavy rains.

During his third State of the Nation of Address (SONA), Marcos reported that over 5,000 flood control projects had been completed.

In the aftermath of Carina and Habagat, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been grilled by lawmakers regarding the effectiveness of flood control projects and the utilization of the allocated government funds.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Thursday admitted at a Senate hearing the lack of a national flood control masterplan in the country.

Bonoan also recently said that 70% of Metro Manila's internal drainage system is blocked by garbage and silt, which caused flooding in some areas amid the Habagat and Carina.

Meanwhile, the MMDA is currently working with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and other sectors to collect the garbage haul in Barangay Tinajeros in Malabon City for the "Kalinga At Inisyatiba Para Sa Malinis Na Bayan."

"Garbage is a big contributor to flooding. The trash we throw away comes back to us. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through this program, wants to teach the public about proper waste disposal, particularly segregation," said DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos during a ceremony at the Tinajeros barangay hall. 

He also encouraged the communities to work with the government to preserve and cleanup the environment through discipline and having the right attitude in disposing of garbage properly.

Meanwhile, MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the repair of the damaged Malabon-Navotas River navigational gate is a priority of the national government and concerned agencies are monitoring the situation and taking appropriate actions.

"The repair of the navigational gate is complicated, so we have to be very careful. In coordination with the DPWH, we are working on the repairs based on the agreed timeline. Rest assured we will hasten the repair," said Artes. 

Floods were up to the neck of some barangay residents during the height of the rains.

The Super Radyo dzBB report said the DILG ordered the barangay to strictly enforce garbage disposal policies.

Those caught improperly dumping garbage will be obliged to render community service for at least 30 minutes, the report quoted the DILG as saying.

Such acts of community service include street sweeping and cleanup of canals. — with reports from Sherylin Untalan/ VDV, GMA Integrated News