870 tons of trash hauled from Metro Manila after Carina

MANILA, Philippines — At least 870 tons of garbage had been collected from Metro Manila during the week following the flooding caused by rains brought by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon, according acting Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes.

From July 24 to 31, the MMDA “hauled 870 tons of garbage and counting,” Artes said yesterday. He did not say how much was collected from each of the metropolis’ 17 local government units.

Artes assured the public that “cleanup operations after the onslaught of… Carina and habagat (southwest monsoon) are also being conducted simultaneously in other parts of Metro Manila.”

The MMDA blamed garbage being thrown in drainages and waterways, as well as people’s irresponsible ways of disposing waste, as among the causes of flooding.

Meanwhile, Artes said the agency and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) have to be “very careful” in repairing the navigational gate in the Malabon-Navotas River, which was damaged by a barge that sailed during low tide.

The gate’s damage may have caused massive flooding in Malabon and Navotas, he noted.

“In coordination with the DPWH, we are working on the repairs based on the agreed timeline. Rest assured we will hasten the repair,” Artes said.

Artes, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval led the Kalinga At Inisyatiba Para Sa Malinis Na Bayan program yesterday in Barangay Tinajeros, which was among the towns that suffered from widespread flooding.

Government personnel cleaned up the streets, dredged drains, purged trees, hauled garbage and dismantled possible mosquito breeding sites, according to the MMDA.

Abalos said the program aims “not only to clean the surroundings but also to instill this mindset in everyone.”

The city government said around 25 trucks of garbage were collected in the activity.

Abalos said the garbage likely came from other areas and were washed away to Malabon due to floods brought by the typhoon.

He urged barangay officials to have people caught indiscriminately throwing garbage do community service.

“They should be left to remove garbage from canals,” he said.

Sandoval thanked government workers and volunteers who joined the clean-up drive.