THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said that 526.8 metric tons of garbage were “collected from pumping stations” from July 18 to 22, bolstering the agency’s claims that haphazard dumping of garbage is one of the main causes of flooding in the metropolis.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes earlier said the pumping stations are working overtime to pump floodwaters and ease flooding in the metropolis.
Metro Manila and nearby areas have been swamped with flood waters caused by the onslaught of typhoon Crising and the southwest monsoon.
The MMDA said the truckloads of garbage that have been collected are proof that haphazard dumping of trash on rivers, canals and other waterways has contributed immensely to the flooding.
The agency previously said garbage and debris flooding its pumping stations could affect their operation, especially during heavy downpours when they have to operate for a longer period of time.
The MMDA said more than 76 metric tons of garbage were collected and removed amid heavy rains and flooding in the metropolis.
The agency said that 26.37 truckloads of garbage were hauled from various areas in the metropolis during the cleanup operations from July 21 to 22.
This is equivalent to 76.923 metric tons of garbage.
Last Tuesday, Artes reiterated his appeal to residents to practice responsible garbage disposal and not to use canals, creeks and other waterways as their garbage bin.
He said keeping the metropolis garbage-free is not only the work of the MMDA and local government units, but also the public.
