The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has collected 841 tons of trash in Marikina City and San Mateo in Rizal as the agency continued its clearing operation in the communities devastated by Typhoon “Ulysses.”
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim says the clearing operation will continue until the areas affected by the typhoon are clean and safe.
At least 150 personnel are assigned to assist the local governments of Marikina and San Mateo in their clearing operations. The MMDA also dispatched heavy equipment to those areas, Lim said.
“Our personnel will continue rendering assistance to affected residents until the local government units’ rehabilitation works are completed. We are always ready to help in restoring normalcy in the affected communities,” Lim said.
The areas being cleared in Marikina City are Barangays Malanday, Sto. Niño and Tañong, particularly Provident Village, while those in San Mateo are in Barangays Guitnang Bayan, Banaba and Sta. Ana.
Francis Martinez, MMDA Metroparkways Clearing Group head, says it will take several weeks more before Marikina and San Mateo are totally rid of the garbage and mud left by the floodwaters brought by the typhoon on Nov. 12.
“Garbage is also starting to emit foul odor, so we are fast-tracking its collection. Based on our estimate, we can collect a year’s worth of trash from the thousands of homes affected by the typhoon,” Martinez said.
Typhoon “Ulysses” caused massive flooding in some parts of Metro Manila and Rizal on Nov. 12.
On Nov. 17, Lim distributed face masks, face shields and relief bags donated by Philippine Hardware Foundation and St. Stephen High School Alumni Association when he inspected the severely-damaged areas in Barangay Malanday, Marikina.
At the height of “Ulysses”, the agency was one of the first responders in rescue and evacuation operations in Marikina City. San Mateo, Rizal, also sought the assistance of the MMDA in its clearing operations.