Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes clarified on Thursday that the garbage problem affecting waterways in Metro Manila is “critical” but has not yet reached the level of a crisis.
“I can speak only sa Metro Manila. We acknowledge na may problema pero hindi pa naman po siguro maabot sa level ng crisis,” Artes said during an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
“Tama po si Presidente, critical dahil nakikita niya po yung mga basura na mauuwi sa waterways. So kailangan pa po talagang mag-step up,” he added.
Artes’ remarks came after Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon described the situation in Parañaque City as a full-blown “garbage crisis” after seeing a “sea of garbage” clogging the Redemptorist Water Channel in Baclaran.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. also called the garbage problem “critical” after large amounts of trash accumulated in parts of Manila Bay and its tributaries following heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or Habagat.
The President also visited the Diokno pumping station in Pasay City and the Redemptorist Water Channel in Baclaran, Parañaque City, where tons of garbage were being hauled as part of ongoing clearing and waste collection operations.
Meanwhile, Artes said daily waste generation in Metro Manila has declined to around 8,000 to 9,000 metric tons from about 10,000 metric tons four years ago.
“Dito po sa Metro Manila, malaki na po yung improvement ng pag-handle o pag-manage ng basura,” he said.
Artes attributed the decline to waste reduction, recycling and other waste management programs aimed at changing public behavior.
He also said the massive volume of garbage found in the Redemptorist Water Channel, including styrofoam and bamboo, may have come from outside Metro Manila and was carried into waterways by tides, wind and waves.
“Well, makikipag-coordinate tayo sa DENR para malaman 'yan. Sige, sa National Solid Waste Commission para matingnan kung saan talaga nanggaling ‘yung basura. Kasi 'yan po ay galing sa labas [ng Metro Manila],” Artes said.
He explained that the local outfall near the area is too small to account for the volume of garbage found in the channel. Artes argued the garbage may have been pushed toward the Redemptorist channel by high tide, wind and waves coming from Manila Bay.
“I can say na hindi po galing 'yan sa Metro Manila itong basura po na yan. Kailangan po kailangan po investigahan kung saan exactly galing. Pero definitely galing po 'yan sa labas ng Manila Bay,” he emphasized.
As of Tuesday afternoon, almost 100 truckloads of garbage have been hauled from the Parañaque channel, said the MMDA.
The MMDA chief also said the Metro Manila Council is seeking to increase penalties for improper waste disposal from the current P500 to as much as P2,500 to P5,000 to deter littering.
“Tama po yan. Meron na pong Metro Manila Council Resolution taasan ang penalty. Kasi po sa ngayon, nasa 500 lang yung multa. Ang gusto po ng ating council ay itaas sa 5,000 at 2,500 para po sa paperos dahil yan po yung limit na itinakda under Local Government Code,” Artes said.
However, he noted that the proposed increase would still require individual resolutions or ordinances from local government units before it can be implemented.
Artes said the MMDA will coordinate with Metro Manila mayors during the next Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting to determine which local governments already have ordinances increasing penalties for improper waste disposal.
He also stressed that stricter penalties must be accompanied by an effective garbage collection system.
“Tulad ng nasabi ng ating Pangulo kahapon, kailangan po kasi balansihin. You have to provide yung magandang sistema ng koleksyon. Dapat alam kung saan itatapon, anong oras, at dapat po kolektahin talaga,” Artes said.
He added that higher penalties would be appropriate if an LGU has an effective waste collection system. However, residents should not be penalized for improper disposal if the local government itself has failed to provide an adequate system for garbage collection.
Watch the full interview below.
