Eddie Liwanag, of the MMDA’s Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG), said the activity was based on a directive issued by MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.
Fernando ordered the team to clean the creek running across Lacson, Arlegui and Laurel streets in Manila.
Liwanag said the creek’s water is polluted because of garbage teeming in the area.
Around 100 SCOG personnel were dispatched at around 7 a.m. to take part in the clearing operations, which included dismantling a few houses in the vicinity that were not reportedly observing guidelines issued by the MMDA.
Liwanag noted that there are few squatter families living in the area.
The activity, along with the implementation of flood control projects such as drainage improvement, pipe laying of frequently flooded streets, is part of the agency’s beautification project for Metro Manila.