Flashfloods in Metro Manila a ‘wake-up call,’ eco group says

An environmental group on Monday said flashfloods across Metro Manila due to persistent rains brought by Tropical Storm “Domeng” and the southwest monsoon should serve as a “wake-up call” to everyone.

The EcoWaste Coalition blamed the persistent flooding in the metro on “reckless” disposal of garbage, such as plastic bags and cigarette filters, that clogs storm drains.

“It is no secret that recklessly thrown garbage—from tiny cigarette filters to the omnipresent plastic bags—can end up in storm drains and esteros blocking the flow of water and triggering flashfloods that can endanger people’s lives,” EcoWaste campaigner Daniel Alejandre said in a statement.

“Reckless trash disposal also results in the dumping of plastics and other pollutants from land into the Pasig River and its tributaries and into Manila Bay aggravating the pollution of our water bodies and the oceans with waste and chemical contaminants,” he said.

READ: FLOOD ALERT: List of flooded areas on June 11, 2018

Amid the flashfloods, the group urged the government to intensify the enforcement of RA 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.”

The law prohibits dumping of waste matters in streets, canals, esteros and other public places. Violators would be fined P300 to P1,000, or penalized with one to 15 days of community service, or both.

Likewise, the environmental group urged the newly-elected village and youth officials to take the lead in strictly enforcing the law.

“We hope newly-elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials will take R.A. 9003 to heart and make it a centerpiece in building zero waste, toxics-free and disaster resilient communities,” Alejandre said. /vvp