President Marcos has pushed for the continued implementation of the government's waste-to-energy program and has appealed to local governments and Filipinos to properly dispose of their garbage, saying that waste dumped into waterways has worsened flooding in parts of Metro Manila.

Speaking during the inspection of a high-vacuum self-priming drainage trailer pump at Alido Bridge in Barangay Zapote, Las Piñas City, on August 11, Marcos said improperly discarded garbage had clogged drainage systems, particularly in Parañaque, following recent heavy rains.

“Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng involved, ang ating mga local government unit, ang ating lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino, mag-ingat po kayo dahil ang laking pinsala ang nangyayari kapag ‘yung basura natin ay hindi maganda ang pagtapon at dahil kung saan-saan na lang nilalagay (We appeal to everyone involved, our local government units, and all Filipino citizens to be careful because improper disposal of garbage causes major damage, especially when waste is thrown anywhere),” he said.

Marcos said some of the garbage that accumulated in Parañaque came from other areas and was carried into the canals after they were opened, with high tide further trapping the waste.

According to the President, the government would continue its waste-to-energy program, under which garbage would be processed and converted into electricity.

“Tayo naman, kami naman dito sa pamahalaan ay itutuloy na natin ‘yung waste-to-energy na program. Iyon ‘yung kinukuha ‘yung basura at ito ay pino-process at ginagawang kuryente (Here in government, we will continue the waste-to-energy program, which involves taking garbage, processing it, and turning it into electricity),” he said.

Marcos said the technology was already established and could allow the government to address the country's waste problem while generating electricity once the program is completed.

The President also said the recent dredging of waterways had helped reduce flooding in Las Piñas, noting that floodwaters that previously reached chest level were now below the knee.

He noted that dredging had resumed after a 12-year moratorium, which he blamed for the gradual shallowing of rivers and spillways, and stressed that the work would continue without interruption.

Marcos also ordered Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon to revisit plans for the long-delayed Las Piñas spillway, saying the project was needed to provide an outlet for floodwaters and could significantly help address flooding in Metro Manila.

“Whatever it is, kung anong kailangan gawin, kailangan tapusin na natin (Whatever it is, whatever needs to be done, we need to finish it),” he said.

“Ilagay na natin yung spillway. Malaking, malaking bagay ‘yan para sa pagbabaha ng NCR (Let us put in the spillway. That will be a very, very significant help in addressing flooding in the NCR),” he added.

The President said the government would continue working with local governments on dredging and other flood-control projects, while pursuing longer-term measures to retain water before it reaches downstream areas.