Marcos warns Metro Manila garbage levels are at ‘critical’ stage

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has described the garbage situation in Metro Manila as being at a ‘critical’ level. The accumulation of waste has blocked waterways and exacerbated flooding caused by recent southwest monsoon rains.

During inspections of the Diokno Pumping Station in Pasay City and the Baclaran River in Parañaque City, the President noted that trash buildup directly hinders flood control operations. He emphasized the urgent need to address improper waste disposal alongside existing flood mitigation measures.

As a long-term solution, the administration is pushing for a waste-to-energy program. The technical aspects of the program are reportedly complete, and the government is currently working on local government unit participation, plant locations, and the process for selling generated electricity to the Department of Energy.