MORE than 4,700 kilograms of recyclable materials were collected under the “Recyclables Mo, Palit Grocery Ko” project of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority from August 15 to 20 alone.
Data provided by the agency showed that during that period, 4,788.9 kilograms of recyclables were collected in several barangays in Metro Manila.
The recyclable materials were collected in Barangay Sucat, Muntinlupa (1, 443 kg), Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon (337.4kg), Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa (1, 094.5 kg), Barangay Burol, Mandaluyong (137.5 kg), Barangay Alabang, Muntinlupa (965.5kg), and Barangay Sta.Lucia, Pasig (801 kg).
The “Recyclables Mo, Palit Grocery Ko” is a project under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project of the MMDA.
“Layon nitong hikayatin ang mga komunidad sa Metro Manila na makilahok sa tamang pamamahala ng basura at recycling sa ating mga komunidad para mabawasan ang likhang basura (This aims to encourage communities in Metro Manila to participate in waste management and recycling to eliminate waste materials in their communities),” MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said.
Under the project, there is a corresponding point for every recyclable like bottles, papers and cans that residents can exchange for basic goods such as sugar, oil and canned goods.
The earned and redeemed points of each resident are all duly recorded in their own Ecosavers Passbook provided by the MMDA.
Artes had blamed the haphazard dumping of garbage as one of the main causes of flooding in the metropolis.
Artes said garbage and debris flooding its pumping stations could affect their operation, especially during heavy downpour when they have to operate for a longer period of time.
Last week, Artes said the Metro Manila Council is mulling hiking the penalty for haphazard dumping of garbage to deter violators.
The MMC, whose members are the 17 Metro mayors, is the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
At present, under local ordinances, the maximum fine for violators is P5,000.
