MMDA: Over 1,500 tons of trash collected in NCR after Habagat, Carina

More than 1,500 tons of trash were collected in the National Capital Region after the massive flooding caused by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and Tropical Cyclone Carina, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said. 

These tons of trash collected from rivers, esteros, and canal blocked some drainage systems in the area, which contributed to the flooding, Chino Gaston reported on Unang Balita on Wednesday. 

The MMDA said the 1,513 tons of trash were collected from July 24 to August 5.

“Sa mga nagdaang bagyo, basura na itinatapon kung saan-saan lamang ang dahilan ng pagbabara ng mga drainage sa lansangan,” the MMDA said in a statement on Tuesday. 

(During the recent cyclones, garbage that was thrown anywhere was the reason for the clog of street drainages.)

“Hindi makadaloy ang tubig ulan nang maaayos, umaapaw ang mga daluyang tubig kaya nagbabaha,” it added.

(Floods happen because rainwater could not flow properly and waterways overflowed.)

Due to this, the MMDA said that a 50-year drainage master plan can solve the flooding. 

“Maliit na po ang ating drainage system. It can only accomodate 25 milimeters per hour to discharge the water. Per hour, 24 mm of rainfall. And this last typhoon Carina, ang rainfall natin 74 mm per hour,” MMDA general manager Undersecretary Procopio Lipana said. 

(Our drainage system is too small. It can only accommodate 25 millimeters per hour to discharge the water. Per hour, 24 mm of rainfall. And this last typhoon Carina, our rainfall is 74 mm per hour.)

The MMDA is eyeing to start the implementation of the long-term master plan this year using funds from the World Bank. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News