Para±aque city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called for sustained cleanup efforts and responsible waste disposal following his inspection of the garbage-filled Baclaran River in Para±aque City. Marcos ordered the immediate clearing of the huge volume of trash that clogged the river amid heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon ("habagat").

According to Philippines News Agency, after inspecting the ongoing clearing and waste collection operations, Marcos acknowledged that the waste problem in the area had worsened. He noted that it was the first time Para±aque experienced such a situation, with the area becoming full of water and garbage in just three days. Marcos pointed out that the excessive amount of garbage, damage to the trash trap, and the significant rainfall contributed to the flooding and waste accumulation in the river.

Marcos highlighted that the recorded rainfall over the past week equaled nearly a month's worth, exacerbating the flooding and garbage issues in the river. He urged the public to avoid disposing of waste in waterways, warning that accumulated garbage could block major drainage systems and worsen flooding during heavy rains. Additionally, he called on local government units (LGUs) to ensure proper waste disposal systems in their areas.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III stated that clearing operations in the river would continue, deploying heavy equipment, such as a trash skimmer, to collect and remove floating garbage. Torre reported that the government had so far hauled 45 dump truckloads, equivalent to around 750 cubic meters or about 500 tons of garbage, from the river since the operation began.

Torre stressed the urgency of removing the trash, particularly plastic, which does not decompose easily. He warned that if not removed, the garbage would end up in pumping stations, potentially causing breakdowns and reducing the capacity of the water channel complex.