A total of 96 truckloads of garbage have been hauled from the Redemptorist Water Channel in Barangay Baclaran, Parañaque City.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the collected waste amounted to 418 metric tons. The cleanup was carried out by the MMDA, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Parañaque City government, according to RH Jecelle Ricafort on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
Despite the reduction, the open canal remains a "sea of trash" due to the intense rains over the past few days brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat.
Personnel from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) said the volume of waste had increased again after garbage trapped near the Macapagal Avenue bridge was washed downstream.
The CENRO also said three trash traps near Manila Bay and Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard gave way due to the large volume of garbage, compounded by strong winds and heavy rains.
Authorities continue to clear the water channel to help improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding in surrounding areas.
Earlier, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon described the massive buildup of garbage as a “garbage crisis,” saying the problem has extended beyond Metro Manila.
During his inspection, Dizon also said it was the first time the water channel had accumulated such a massive amount of waste, which he attributed to high tide combined with monsoon rains.
“Ang sabi sa akin ng Parañaque City government, first time ito nangyari,” Dizon said. “So, pinapakita rin talaga na, ang grabe na talaga ang sitwasyon ng basura natin.”
