Lawmaker to public: Proper waste disposal key to preventing floods

Children play in the flood at Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, Manila, amid heavy rains. | File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE | Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Proper waste disposal is key to preventing floods, House of Representatives Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Gonzales said waste segregation must be done not only during the rainy season and the ‘ber’ months — or from September to December — as improper management of garbage during the dry season can still have an effect once the wet season starts.

“I call on all Filipino households to do appropriate waste segregation and disposal not only during the ‘ber’ months and rainy season but throughout the year as well,” Gonzales said.

“Very often, we see streets flooded because water inlets and drainage systems are clogged with garbage. We notice that even in subdivisions, where residents are supposed to follow proper waste segregation and disposal procedures,” he added.

According to Gonzales, it is incumbent upon local government units (LGUs) to launch a campaign on how to properly segregate waste materials and where to dispose of them — including schedules of garbage collection so that trash can be collected in an orderly manner.

“If they are fielding trucks to collect garbage, people should be informed well ahead of the schedule of collection,” he said.

“If we can prevent flooding, that means we can avert possible loss of life, property and livelihood. We can also save precious taxpayers’ money in clearing drainage systems,” he added.

Last July 26, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. himself appealed to the public to follow proper garbage disposal practices, as improper waste disposal contributed largely to floods experienced during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.

“We encountered problems, I hope that people will learn.  Do not throw your trash anywhere because this trash can clog our drainage system and pumps that’s why these were not as effective,” Marcos said after visiting flood-hit Malabon.

Marcos also said the government is looking at building weirs to address the country’s perennial problem of flooding.

Gonzales, a civil engineer by profession, meanwhile suggested that LGUs use rainwater collection so that it can be used for irrigation during the dry season.

Both the Department of Agriculture and the National Irrigation Authority should look into this practice and eventually start implementing it if feasible, the House official said.

—WITH A REPORT FROM ARIANNE DENISS CAGSAWA (TRAINEE)