Marikina and Cainta launched cleanup operations following the southwest monsoon (habagat), clearing flooded roads in Marikina and removing accumulated garbage from canals and creeks in Cainta.

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro led clearing and cleanup operations in Barangay Tumana after the area was flooded due to several days of heavy rain and the non-operational Tumana Pumping Station, which reportedly affected water drainage in the area.

Following the deployment of larger mobile booster pumps in Malanday and Tumana on Monday, Aug. 10, cleanup operations were conducted to clear roads of mud, garbage, and debris and help restore affected communities to normal.

The operations also included collecting household items that residents wanted to dispose of after they were damaged by the flooding.

“'Yung basura, 'yung mga kuyagot, 'yung mga items nila na p'wede na nilang i-dispose dahil binaha kinukuha ‘yan ng city (The city also collected garbage, debris, and residents’ belongings that were damaged by the flooding and could no longer be used),” the mayor said.

“Nagtutulong-tulong yung magkakapitbahay para ma clear agad 'yung mga alleys nila (Neighbors worked together to quickly clear their alleys),” she added.

Earlier, clearing operations were also conducted in Libis Bulelak in Barangay Malanday, one of the areas affected by flooding.

The area is reportedly among the first to flood when rising creek water backs up through manholes, prompting residents and the city government to immediately start cleanup efforts after the floodwaters receded.

The local government also conducted a flushing operation at Malanday Elementary School after it temporarily served as an evacuation center for families affected by the heavy rains.

The school was immediately cleaned to ensure that its facilities are safe and ready for students and teachers to use again.

Meanwhile, Cainta, Rizal Mayor Keith Nieto ordered the immediate clearing of garbage that clogged drainage systems and contributed to flooding.

Nieto also formed a river patrol team tasked with year-round monitoring of the creek connecting Town and Country, Filinvest, and Vista Verde to prevent garbage from accumulating and blocking the flow of water.

The move came after Nieto noticed the slow flow of water in the creek and ordered an inspection, which found garbage obstructing the waterway.

On Sunday, Aug. 9, Nieto said he had asked residents to temporarily wait for garbage trucks instead of leaving their waste at collection points. However, with garbage still left at designated areas, he deployed garbage truck amid the continued rains, to collect the waste and prevent it from being washed away and clogging drainage systems.

“Kasi lulutang ang mga basurang ‘yan kapag tumaas ang tubig. Sabi ko naman, antayin niyo ang trak. Pag inanod ‘yan, babara na naman, lalo tayong mahihirapan… magtulungan tayo (Those garbage could float away if the water level rises. I told them to wait for the garbage trucks. If the waste gets washed away, it could clog the drainage systems again and make things even more difficult for us. Let’s work together),” he said.