By Zaldy De Layola | Philippine News Agency
Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Mark Anthony Santos on Tuesday welcomed the Metro Manila Council’s (MMC) support for his twin proposals seeking a comprehensive and coordinated crackdown on littering and illegal garbage disposal across the metropolis.
Rep. Santos said the backing of Metro Manila mayors was an important step toward developing a unified, sustainable, and long-term solution to the region’s garbage problem.
He also thanked MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, who will spearhead the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to study and further develop the proposed measures.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes also expressed support for the initiative, saying the two measures should complement each other and provide a more coordinated and effective response to Metro Manila’s garbage problem.
He said the proposals are intended to complement, rather than interfere with authority and autonomy of individual local government units (LGUs).
“I am grateful to the Metro Manila Council and our mayors for recognizing the need for a stronger and more coordinated response to littering and illegal dumping. This is not about taking away the authority of any LGU. It is about working together to address a problem that does not recognize political or city boundaries,” Rep. Santos, who was invited to present his proposals during the MMC meeting on Tuesday, said.
Santos said the proposals are based on his experience in local government and his understanding of the responsibilities and challenges faced by local chief executives.
He noted that garbage discarded in one city can enter drainage systems, creeks, rivers, and waterways that cross into neighboring communities.
“Walang boundary ang basura. Kapag bumara ang ating mga daluyan ng tubig at nagkaroon ng pagbaha, hindi na nito tinatanong kung saang lungsod nagsimula ang problema. Kaya dapat coordinated din ang ating solusyon,” Rep. Santos said.
Under the proposal, each of the 17 LGUs may establish a dedicated Garbage Police Unit separate from the existing barangay tanod force.
The proposed personnel would undergo proper training and be duly deputized, subject to existing laws and ordinances, to monitor littering hotspots and enforce anti-littering and solid waste management regulations.
He said the units should be highly visible and deployed in streets, sidewalks, markets, transport terminals, waterways, parks, and other areas where littering and illegal dumping frequently occur.
He also said dedicated enforcement units would allow LGUs to maintain continuous and consistent enforcement instead of relying mainly on occasional cleanup drives or operations conducted after garbage has already accumulated.
Rep. Santos also proposed a common regional framework defining prohibited acts, setting minimum enforcement standards, improving documentation of violations, and promoting consistency in implementing anti-littering policies across Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, Artes said the MMDA is already working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on efforts related to drainage and flood management.
Mayor Zamora also requested the MMDA to conduct regular dredging operations along the San Juan River to maintain the waterway’s capacity and improve water flow during heavy rainfall.
The council likewise discussed the government’s proposed waste-to-energy initiatives, which aim to convert waste into usable energy while reducing the volume of garbage in landfills.
During the meeting, DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain presented the proposed Parañaque Spillway Project, a flood-control initiative intended to improve the conveyance and discharge of excess floodwaters and help reduce flooding in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, the MMDA announced free towing services for vehicles, including trucks, submerged in floodwaters or stranded due to flooding until Friday.
Affected motorists may coordinate through the official MMDA social media accounts. (With a report from Raymond Carl Dela Cruz/PNA)
