The Marcos administration is pursuing an “all-out” campaign against garbage and flooding while urging local governments and communities to strengthen discipline in waste disposal, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said.

Recto said this after leading a meeting of key government agencies and local government representatives on Aug. 20 to discuss faster clearing operations and longer-term solutions to waste management.

In his remarks, Recto said the national government and local government units (LGUs) are intensifying collection, clearing, and waste management operations as part of efforts to address flooding and garbage problems.

“Lumalabas sa aming pagpupulong na walang garbage crisis sa Metro Manila, pero may krisis sa hindi wastong pagtatapon ng basura (Our meeting showed that there is no garbage crisis in Metro Manila, but there is a crisis in improper waste disposal),” he said.

The Palace official said preventing garbage from reaching waterways should begin at the community level, making LGUs a “first line of defense” against flooding and waste.

“Kailangan nating magkaroon ng malawakang pagpapalaganap ng kultura ng disiplina (We need to widely promote a culture of discipline),” Recto said.

“Sabi nga natin dati, ang basurang itinapon mo nang hindi wasto, babalik din sayo (As we have said before, garbage that you improperly throw away will come back to you),” he added.

Recto said the government’s campaign requires a “whole-of-society approach,” including greater participation from citizens in proper waste segregation and disposal.

He warned that garbage dumped in streets and drainage systems can eventually clog waterways and be carried toward Manila Bay during heavy rains.

“Kapag ginawang basurahan ang kanal at mga kalye, nagiging expressway ng basura ang mga ilog pagbuhos ng malakas na ulan (When canals and streets are turned into garbage dumps, rivers become expressways for garbage when heavy rain falls),” he said.

Recto also urged Filipinos to practice the same discipline in waste disposal at home that they observe when they are abroad, including following collection schedules, segregating waste, and using proper disposal facilities.

“Hindi mahirap gawin ito dahil kapag nasa ibang bansa ang Pilipino, marunong tayong sumunod sa batas: sa oras ng koleksyon ng basura, sa pag-segregate at sa pagtatapon sa tamang lugar (This is not difficult to do because when Filipinos are abroad, we know how to follow the law: observing garbage collection schedules, segregating waste, and disposing of it in the proper place),” he said.

Under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Oplan Kontra Baha, clearing, declogging, and desilting operations are continuing with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and LGUs, while pumping stations and logistics for garbage hauling and disposal are also being strengthened.

The government is also studying the use of part of the LGUs’ National Tax Allotment for solid waste management projects and the creation of a Cleanest Barangay Program, while expanding initiatives such as trash traps, Bayanihan sa Estero or TUPAD, Estero Rangers, Environmental Monitoring Officers, the Adopt-an-Estero Program, and solid waste management equipment for 16 LGUs.