Public urged to dispose garbage properly
The MMDA and the DPWH on the other hand are working on the modernization and rehabilitation of pumping stations under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project
Accumulation of garbage resulting to the clogging of pumping stations being operated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is the one big problem during heavy rains.
Pumping stations, 67 in all according to Baltazar Melgar, chief of the Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office (FCSMO), and drainages are clogged resulting in flooding in the metropolis during heavy rains.
Big volume of garbage found its way at the San Andres Pumping Station in Manila when it was inspected by chair Benhur Abalos, Melgar, and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official Mike Bagon during the heavy downpour.
He said the cycle should be broken only if the people will be disciplined in managing their trash properly.
The agency has its hands full cleaning the pumping stations only to find out that their efforts are put to waste because the public doesn’t want to follow the proper way of disposing their trash.
The MMDA chief said the public should be disciplined enough not to deliberately throw garbage on the streets that eventually end up clogging canals, drainage systems, waterways and eventually pumping stations.
He said if the pumping stations are clogged by garbage, the machines will not work properly resulting in flooding.
Abalos said if the public will not do its part, it will be a never-ending cycle, adding people will just throw their garbage and the agency will conduct cleanup operations.
He said the cycle should be broken only if the people will be disciplined in managing their trash properly.
While the agency is calling for discipline among the residents of the metropolis marshals will be deployed that will impose sanctions or community service for those who recklessly throw garbage to teach them a lesson.
“I am appealing to everyone, let us stop throwing garbage on the streets. We shall deploy marshals to apprehend violators and let them clean waterways by way of community service in order to teach them a lesson in caring for the environment,” Abalos said.
The agency has its hands full cleaning the pumping stations only to find out that their efforts are put to waste because the public doesn’t want to follow the proper way of disposing their trash.
De-clogging and dredging operations of drainages and waterways are conducted by FCSMO workers in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila which is one of the mitigating measures of the agency even before the onset of the rainy season.
The MMDA and the DPWH on the other hand are working on the modernization and rehabilitation of pumping stations under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP).
Under the MMFMP, 20 new pumping stations is set to be constructed over a period of four years: Cutcut in Pasay; Romualdez in Manila; Maytunas in Mandaluyong-San Juan; Buhangin in Mandaluyong; Casili in Caloocan-Manila; Ilugin River in Pasig; Isla in Valenzuela, Damayang Lagi, Del Monte, Dona Imelda, Kalusugan, Mariblo, Masambong, Matalahib-Talayan, Progreso, Roxas, Sobrepena, Sta. Cruz, Talaya and Tatalon in Quezon City.