Garbage dredged from Metro esteros

In just four days, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) hauled in over 1,200 tons worth of garbage from the metropolis’ waterways.



The MMDA has launched its month-long “August Estero Blitz” campaign, which aims to clean and de-clog esteros of the metropolis.



A total of 173 truckloads of waste and silt — roughly 1,200 tons — have been dredged from the eight creeks the MMDA’s Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office (FCSMO) has so far cleaned up since the campaign began last Monday.



“In only four days we have collected over 1,000 tons of garbage…Imagine the volume of waste that has been clogging our drainage,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said.



Tolentino pointed out that the accumulated garbage and silt limit the carrying capacity of waterways, resulting to floods during heavy rains. The August Estero Blitz will be carried out until September 8, targeting two esteros per day.



The Estero Blitz started at Tripa de Gallina and Sta. Clara creeks that straddle the cities of Makati, Manila and Pasay.



MMDA workers collected 35 truckloads of waste along the entire 10,933-meter length of these waterways.



Next were the 12.80-meter wide Estero De Quiapo/San Miguel/San Sebastian creeks in Manila, where 33 truckloads of waste were dredged and disposed of to garbage disposal facilities.



On Wednesday, there were 29 truckloads of similar waste collected from Estero De Pandacan/Concordia, also in Manila.



The highest volume of collected garbage and silt came from Pinagsabugan and Longos creeks in Malabon, where 76 truckloads were dredged last Thursday.



There are a total of 8,128 families of informal settlers living along these eight creeks.



On Friday, personnel from FCSMO and Metro Parkway Clearing Group were sent to Navotas City to clean up the R-10 Open Canal and Spine Creek. The MMDA said it will dredge Estero De Vitas/Dela Reina/Kabulusan in Manila Monday.



The Estero Blitz is an offshoot of the MMDA’s successful “480 Minutes Cleanup Drive” last July 24, which was participated in by 8,000 MMDA personnel and volunteers who cleaned Metro Manila’s eight identified flood-prone areas.



A study conducted by the agency showed that flooding in Metro Manila is caused by the clogging of esteros, diversion channels, creeks and other waterways as a result of indiscriminate dumping of garbage.

BY ELLSON A. QUISMORIO