MMDA clean-up of water tributaries yields 200 sacks of garbage

MORE than 200 sacks of garbage were removed by clean-up crews of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority from three water tributaries in Marikina, Pasig and Navotas over the weekend.

MMDA chief Romando Artes said the activity is part of the agency’s Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas program which aims to clean streets, canals, other waterways, public markets, schools, and public parks.

It also aims to instill proper waste management.

Artes said the three waterways cleaned up of garbage were the Tumana creek in Marikina City, Parian creek in Pasig City, and Tabing Ilog Tangos North in Navotas City.

“One hundred sixty sacks of garbage were collected in Pasig, 45 in Navotas and one in Marikina,” Artes said.

Artes also appealed to the public to practice proper waste management, saying the haphazard dumping of waste would result in clogged waterways and aggravate flooding, especially with the advent of the rainy season.

“We should ensure the cleanliness of our waterways because if they are clogged with garbage, it would affect the flow of water, especially during heavy downpours, resulting to flooding,” he said.

Last month, Artes said the agency has identified 80 flood-prone areas in Metro Manila where flooding is exacerbated by the haphazard dumping of garbage and the limited capacity of the drainage system.

MMDA data showed it was able to clean 199,517 linear meters of the drainage system from January 1 to May this year.

In 2023, some 525, 000 linear meters of drainage system were also de-clogged and cleaned in the metropolis.

The agency has also installed 163 trash traps along waterways, including 28 located in pumping stations so that garbage will not clog the waterways and the operation of the pumping stations, especially during heavy downpours.