Ralph Recto calls for discipline in Metro Manila waste disposal

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has called for a “culture of discipline” regarding waste management in Metro Manila to combat flooding. Following a meeting with government agencies and local government representatives on August 20, Recto clarified that the region is not facing a garbage crisis, but rather a crisis of improper waste disposal.

Recto emphasized that improperly discarded trash clogs drainage systems and streets, acting as an “expressway” for waste to flow into rivers and eventually Manila Bay during heavy rains. He stressed that addressing the issue requires a “whole-of-society approach,” involving both national agencies and active participation from residents to stop waste accumulation at the community level.

To address the issue, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are continuing clearing, declogging, and desilting operations under initiatives such as Oplan Kontra Baha.