(MMDA PIO)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said improper waste management practices from informal settlers resulted to the accumulation of garbage in rivers and creeks, which was cited as cause of the recent heavy flooding in Metro Manila.

“So to really address the source of the problem, we need to identify sites for these informal settlers kasi (because) most of the source of the garbage in the rivers and the esteros (estuaries) are the informal settlers residing along the river systems,” DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones said.

Leones issued this remark during the budget deliberations of the DENR before the House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

He said the agency’s efforts to free Metro Manila rivers and creeks from garbage was ultimately for naught as informal settlements continued to exist within these water systems.

“Mahirap po talagang i-relocate, kahit na may na-relocate po kami ‘pag katagal-tagal babalik na naman po sila,” he noted.

(It's really hard to relocate them, even if we do, they tend to return after a while.)

According to Leones, they are actively coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to address this issue once and for all.

“Very serious po ang problem on garbage (The problem on garbage is very serious) and we recognize the need to undertake drastic measures,” he added.

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said partnering with the DILG would address the “perennial issue” of informal settlements along the water systems since it is not within the control of her agency.

“It also has to matter that behavioral change needs to be part of this particular problem,” added Loyzaga.

Under the 2025 National Expenditures Program (NEP), the DENR has a proposed allotment pf P25 million to cover the waste management of various rivers and creeks in Metro Manila.

OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino, during her interpellation, pointed out that the funding wasn't enough to address the wide-ranging issue.

“Hingiin niyo na ‘yung dapat hingiin para wala nang problema (Ask for what you need so there will be no more problems),” said Magsino.

The lawmaker says that a well-funded program is necessary to stop a repeat of the heavy flooding in Metro Manila caused last month by Typhoon "Carina" and the southwest monsoon. 

After some back-and-forth, Loyzaga agreed to request additional budget for the DENR’s waste management control.

For the time being, Leones said the department is coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to provide them technical assistance on proper waste management.

According to the DENR, the Philippines generates 61,000 tons of garbage every day. Some 500 LGUs have no access to sanitary landfills.