By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Metro Manila does not face a garbage crisis but a crisis in improper waste disposal, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said as he called for a “culture of discipline” to prevent trash from clogging waterways and worsening floods.
Recto made the assessment after leading a meeting of key government agencies and local government representatives on Aug. 20 to accelerate clearing operations and pursue longer-term solutions to garbage and flooding.
“Lumalabas sa aming pagpupulong na walang garbage crisis sa Metro Manila, pero may krisis sa hindi wastong pagtatapon ng basura,” Recto said.
He said the government must stop garbage while it is still within communities, stressing that national agencies and local governments need the participation of residents.
“The message of the President is clear: isa itong suliranin na kailangan ng whole-of-society approach, kasama ang ating mga mamamayan,” he added.
Recto warned that improperly discarded waste is carried from streets and drainage systems into rivers and other waterways during heavy rains.
“Kapag ginawang basurahan ang kanal at mga kalye, nagiging expressway ng basura ang mga ilog pagbuhos ng malakas na ulan. Walang toll gate ang kalat, kaya tuloy-tuloy ang biyahe hanggang Manila Bay o sa mas malaking waterways natin.”
He called for wider observance of proper waste segregation and disposal.
“Kailangan nating magkaroon ng malawakang pagpapalaganap ng kultura ng disiplina. Sabi nga natin dati, ang basurang itinapon mo nang hindi wasto, babalik din sa iyo,” Recto said.
Key interventions
Under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) Oplan Kontra Baha, clearing, declogging and desilting operations are continuing in coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units.
The government is also strengthening garbage collection, hauling and disposal systems, including the use of trash traps in waterways and the deployment of Estero Rangers and Environmental Monitoring Officers.
Other measures include the expansion of the Adopt-an-Estero Program and Bayanihan sa Estero or TUPAD initiative, procurement of solid waste management equipment for 16 local government units, and the proposed Cleanest Barangay Program.
The government is also studying the possible allocation of a portion of local governments’ National Tax Allotment for solid waste management projects.
Recto said pumping stations must remain operational and logistics strengthened to ensure faster collection, hauling and proper disposal of garbage.
“Ang Manila Bay ay hindi inidoro ng plastic,” he said.
Recto said Filipinos should show the same discipline in waste management at home that they observe when abroad.
“Hindi mahirap gawin ito dahil kapag nasa ibang bansa ang Pilipino, marunong tayong sumunod sa batas: sa oras ng koleksyon ng basura, sa pag-segregate at sa pagtatapon sa tamang lugar. May disiplina naman tayo, sana’y lalong ipamalas pag nasa sariling bayan,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Human Settlements Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, Public Works Undersecretary Charles Calima Jr. and MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes, as well as representatives of concerned agencies and local government leagues. (PNA)
