Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to convene a summit with Metro Manila mayors to institutionalize public discipline on waste management to address flooding. Speaking at the Post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussion on Environmental Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction on Tuesday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla renewed his call for a unified and systematic waste control system among local government units (LGUs) to address persistent flooding worsened by climate change.
According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla highlighted the decades-long lack of cohesive solid waste management planning, particularly in Metro Manila, which has contributed significantly to clogged waterways that result in flooding. He said public discipline on waste management should be institutionalized, emphasizing that natural waterways are not dumpsites but vital ecosystems that must be protected.
Remulla explained that when draining a canal or river, items such as refrigerators, beds, and furniture are often found, indicating a correctible human behavior if properly enforced. He noted that small municipalities often lack space for dumpsites while larger cities face challenges with improper waste disposal.
Remulla proposed a systematic approach for integrated waste management systems across Metro Manila, servicing the entire city. He cited challenges from Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, which delegates waste disposal as a municipal concern, limiting comprehensive planning across cities and provinces. He emphasized the need to revisit and rewrite the Local Government Code to create a holistic approach to garbage disposal.
Efficient garbage collection at the municipal and barangay levels is crucial to supplement ongoing clean-up operations of creeks by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Metro Manila was one of the hardest-hit areas during the southwest monsoon (habagat) and a series of weather systems last week, affecting over 820,000 individuals. Massive flooding was reported in various cities in the metropolis, submerging communities.
