MANILA, Philippines—Talk about airboats in Florida Everglades.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday unveiled its new “weapon” for its “Oplan Linis Sapa, Iwas Baha” campaign to clear the waterways in the metropolis of garbage that often cause flooding during the rainy season.

Called “floating garbage scooters,” the improvised water vehicles were made from scrap motorcycle parts of the MMDA.

MMDA chair Bayani Fernando led the launching of the water scooters during the cleanup drive along Parañaque River near the domestic airport in Baclaran, Parañaque City.

Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe welcomed the MMDA’s initiatives, saying it would complement their efforts to clear the 11-kilometer river of garbage.

Bernabe joined Fernando and other local officials in witnessing the inaugural run of the water scooters.

Fernando proudly related that the development of the improvised floating scooters was his own brainchild. “Instead of letting our old motorcycles to just rust, I thought of making something useful out of it.”

“I think this is the first of its kind in the world,” he added with a chuckle.

Powered by the engines of used motorcycles, the water scooters use small propeller for steering and to move in forward direction.

Floaters are attached around the water scooters to make it hover on the water.

The MMDA’s water vessels were actually similar to airboats, the flat-bottomed boats which are popularly used as a mode of transportation in marshlands in the US state of Florida, also known as the Florida Everglades.