DENR allots P250M for 268 trash traps in tributaries of ‘most polluted rivers’

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will spend P250 million to build trash taps in river tributaries leading to Pasig, Tullahan, Meycauayan, and Pampanga Rivers.

The DENR’S Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said a total of 268 trash traps would be installed in the tributaries of the four rivers, considered to be among the most polluted rivers in the country and major contributors to pollution in Manila Bay.

The project is in support of the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML) in accordance with DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2021-10 as the national marine litter framework plan with an overarching goal of “Zero Waste to Philippine Waters by 2040.”

EMB Director Engr. William P. Cuñado said the project aims to improve waste collection and disposal within the tributaries which can help reduce flooding during the wet season.

“We are working closely with the local government units [LGU], seeking their suggestions from procurement to installation, to ensure that these trash traps are installed in strategic locations and maximized for the benefit of the LGU and the communities residing in these water bodies,” Cuñado said in a news release.

Cuñado added that the entire activities and strategies provided in the NPOA-ML are included in the top priorities of the DENR-EMB. NPOA-ML was developed to provide a blueprint to enhance the current efforts of the country in resource and waste management.

“We need to control the additional leakage of waste into our water bodies. For this year, EMB will augment the existing activities of the DENR related to the implementation of NPOA-ML,” Engr. Cuñado added.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) and a deed of donation (DOD) will be entered between the EMB Regional Office and the recipient LGUS. Under the MOA, procurement items such as brand-new trash traps manually operated waste lifter, plastic boats, and tools/materials for operation will be distributed to the four identified rivers between the bureau and the LGUS concerned.

“The LGUS will be monitoring the trash traps installed in their jurisdiction. Also, they will handle the collection, hauling and proper disposal of wastes from the trash traps and the maintenance and operation of the equipment. And there will be personal protective equipment [PPE] for operators. Engagement of collection and disposal services through the LGUS will also be included to ensure that the collected waste will be properly disposed,” Cuñado said.