The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has gone back to its roots with its "Metro Bayanihan: I MM" project, which it launched Tuesday morning, June 1 with a clean-up of Estero de Tripa de Gallina in Manila.
The project will include intensified sidewalk clearing operations, cleaning of waterways, and anti-littering and anti-dengue drives to promote the general cleanliness of Metro Manila and well-being of its residents.
In short, the initiative is a declaration of war against "urban decay".
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos says the agency is closely coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to make sure that the massive and intensified clean-up is inclusive and would cover all barangays in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“We’ve been regularly cleaning up our waterways with our daily dredging and declogging operations and we will intensify it before the rainy season to mitigate flooding, dengue, leptospirosis, and water-borne diseases,” Abalos said.
He said garbage-filled waterways oftentimes become breeding ground of mosquitoes and other insects that cause diseases. "We are stepping up our efforts to make sure that these problems won’t add up to the burdens brought by this pandemic,” he added.
Metro Parkways Clearing Group and Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office personnel will carry out daily the clearing of illegal structures on sidewalks and declogging and dredging of major waterways in the metropolis in order to maintain cleanliness. Trees will be trimmed and cables will be bundled to avoid accidents.
The MMDA will also conduct misting and fogging operations to eliminate possible breeding areas and kill dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Metro mayors have expressed support for the campaign, noting that these proactive responses are vital in curbing the possible transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Abalos has appealed to the public to back Metro Bayanihan in order to eradicate trash, diseases, and at the same time encourage sustainable healthy urban living.
“During these times, we’ve seen how important a clean surrounding is, and we want every barangay to do their part in making Metro Manila clean, orderly, healthy, and more livable,” he said.