AFTER the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) collected 288 truckloads of garbage and silt from five esteros in its ongoing cleanup, an environmental watch group has urged people living near these waterways to maintain their cleanliness.
According to the EcoWaste Coalition, households and businesses near rivers, drainage systems, canals and esteros must dispose of their garbage properly to avoid clogging these waterways and prevent flooding during the rainy season.
“We request our city dwellers, especially those with houses by the rivers and canals, to cooperate with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and concerned local government units in protecting our waterways from garbage,” EcoWaste Coalition coordinator Aileen Lucero said on Sunday.
Citing Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Lucero said that throwing garbage into the streets and bodies of water “was unethical and unlawful.”
Dumping of waste in public places carries a fine of P300 to P1,000 and/or a 15-day community service, she warned.
“Among other major impacts, indiscriminate trash disposal increases flooding events that can pose [a] serious hazard to life and property,” Lucero said.
“By properly managing our discards, we prevent trash from getting into the drainage systems, blocking the drains and ultimately clogging creeks and rivers, and hampering the free flow of water which can aggravate floods and other water-related disasters,” she added.
The group also challenged local and national candidates to include the protection of waterways in their platforms. Lucero said tackling water and sanitation issues and solutions would benefit all residents in Metro Manila.
Last Friday, the MMDA said that it was able to collect 288 truckloads or 2,989 cubic meters of garbage and silt from the first five esteros it cleaned up through its “Estero Blitz” cleanup drive which started on March 1.
These were the North and South Antipolo Open Canal, Estero de Kabulusan, Estero de Magdalena, Estero de San Miguel and Estero de Quiapo.
The MMDA earlier announced that it would ask the Ombudsman to help it go after barangay officials who neglect the waterways in their area despite repeated clearing operations conducted by the agency.
It warned that should it find the waterways full of trash again, it would file a report in the Ombudsman and ask it to “determine the liability of the negligent barangay officials.”