Over 200 trucks of garbage hauled at Parañaque waterway

MANILA, Philippines — Over 200 trucks have been collected at the Baclaran Redemptorist water channel after days of incessant rains brought by the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” according to the city government of Parañaque.

The waste and debris were hauled since Monday through a cleanup operation launched by the city government, Metro Manila Development Authority, and Department of Public Works and Highways, the city government said in an update on Thursday, adding the garbage piled up in waterways after they were pushed by high tide from the Manila Bay.

“We need to wade through the waters so we can bring the trash on the side so they can easily be brought to the backhoe,” said Jeff Santos, team leader of the Parañaque City Environment and Natural Resources Office

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The sea of trash prompted President Marcos to conduct an inspection last Wednesday, saying he would not call the situation a “garbage crisis” even as he acknowledged it was indeed a problem facing the country.

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“The amount of rainfall last week is equivalent to one month rainfall, almost one meter. That’s why we are having this kind of problem,” Mr. Marcos also said.

PNP assistance

Meanwhile the Philippine National Police offered its assistance to local government units (LGUs) enforcing their respective ordinances on waste disposal.

“We in the PNP are ready to provide assistance to the local government units in enforcing ordinances regarding waste disposal,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Friday.

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“As law enforcers, police personnel are expected to set good examples to the people we serve, and in this particular case, proper waste management and segregation,” he added.

“Police commanders down to the precinct, station and municipal and city station levels were directed to strictly enforce waste management, including the use of proper bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage,” he added. —WITH A REPORT FROM JASON SIGALES