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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Abalos warns of ‘garbage island’ risks in Parañaque

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Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Benjamin Abalos Jr. has warned the public on the risks that a so-called “garbage island” can bring to rivers, waterways, and the nearby communities including Manila Bay.

Abalos warns of ‘garbage island’ risks in Parañaque
FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Benhur Abalos inspects the desilting operations being conducted at the mouth of Paranaque River as part of the MMDA’s flood control program at the Marina Complex along Macapagal Blvd. on Monday. Danny Pata and Norman Cruz

“If we don’t act up on this, more structures will be built in the area. But the most alarming possibility is its effect on the water flow along the river and the waste will be very toxic to the community and surrounding waters,” he explained.

The MMDA said it will remove the  “garbage island” in Paranaque River made up of a mixture of garbage and silt where shanties are already constructed which serves as a resting place for fishermen in the area.

Abalos said it will take about three to four months to fully get rid of the pile of garbage in the river estimated to be 26,000 cubic meters in volume.

Abalos is also asking the public to help the government in its flood mitigation programs by reporting piles of trash obstructing waterways.

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“I call on everyone to report to the MMDA problems like this where there is a mass of garbage that needs to be addressed and removed immediately,” said Abalos who recently inspected the desilting operations at the mouth of Parañaque River on Monday.

The official also said he is urging the public “to throw out garbage responsibly and practice

recycling to lessen waste and help mitigate floods.”

Engineer Baltazar Melgar, head of the MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage

Management Office, said that the process of removing all the garbage in the area will be tedious as all of these will be hauled and disposed of to the landfill.

The MMDA has also installed 30 trash nets along canals and esteros in the metropolis that will trap garbage which will be collected every three days to help mitigate damage to the agency-manned pumping stations.

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