MMDA to impose P5k fine on garbage violators

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deploys a trash skimmer to accelerate the removal of tons of garbage that had accumulated in a creek in front of Baclaran Church in Parañaque City. (Courtesy: MMDA)

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to enforce a higher penalty for improper waste disposal in the National Capital Region, with violators facing a fine of up to P5,000.

The increase follows the approval by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) of a resolution raising the penalty for improper garbage disposal from P500 to P5,000 across Metro Manila. In Pateros, the fine will be P2,500.

The MMC, composed of the 17 mayors of Metro Manila, serves as the governing board and policymaking body of the MMDA.

“We are just waiting for the ordinances from each city, and we will follow up on that in the next Metro Manila Council meeting,” MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said.

Artes said the MMC will meet on Aug. 18 to discuss the matter.

He reiterated his appeal to the public to refrain from littering, particularly during the rainy season, when improperly disposed waste can clog drainage systems and worsen flooding.

Artes said garbage thrown on streets can take years to decompose and urged residents to comply with local ordinances on proper waste disposal.

Recent heavy rains have aggravated flooding in parts of Metro Manila, partly due to clogged canals and drainage systems, Artes said.

The MMDA also stressed the importance of reusing and recycling to reduce waste and prevent blockages, saying cleanup efforts would be futile if littering continues.

“If the people continue to throw garbage, the problem of flooding will not end,” Artes said.

On Wednesday, the MMDA deployed a trash skimmer to accelerate the removal of tons of garbage that had accumulated in a creek in front of Baclaran Church in Parañaque City.

A trash skimmer is a mechanical device used to collect floating waste from waterways. The MMDA said its deployment was intended to speed up the cleanup in line with Artes’ directive.

The MMDA, in partnership with the Parañaque City government, is also continuing manual cleanup operations in the creek.

Artes urged residents to dispose of their garbage properly to prevent waste from reaching roads and waterways and contributing to flooding.

In an interview with GMA News’ “Unang Balita,” MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III said waste management remains a significant challenge in Metro Manila.

Torre said cleanup operations alone would not be enough to prevent the recurring buildup of garbage and stressed that waste disposal practices must also be addressed.

“Nothing will happen, and it will be useless if we clean up and then the same thing continues to happen [with garbage disposal],” Torre said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier inspected dredging and drainage-clearing operations in Las Piñas City, acknowledging progress in alleviating flooding while stressing that more work remains necessary. — Joel E. Zurbano