Malacañang on Sunday called on the public to work with the government in changing people’s mindsets towards proper garbage disposal amid refent floods caused by trash clogging waterways.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto mafe the appeal as he said the national and local government units are strengthening its collection, clearing and waste management systems.
In a statement, he pointed out that communities are the “first line of defense” against floods.
“Kailangan nating magkaroon ng malawakang pagpapalaganap ng kutura ng disiplina. Sabi nga natin dati, ang basurang itinapon mo nang hindi wasto, babalik din sayo,” Recto said.
On August 20, he convened a meeting of concerned government agencies and LGU representatives to discuss how to expedite clearing operations and a long-term solution to massive volumes of garbage.
“Lumalabas sa aming pagpupulong na walang garbage crisis sa Metro Manila, pero may krisis sa hindi wastong pagtatapon ng basura,” he Recto.
He added: “The message of the President is clear: isa itong suliranin na kailangan ng whole-of-society approach, kasama ang ating mga mamamayan.”
Recto stressed that the accumulation of trash must be stopped in communities.
“Kapag ginawang basurahan ang kanal at mga kalye, nagiging expressway ng basura ang mga ilog pagbuhos ng malakas na ulan. Walang toll gate ang kalat, kaya tuloy-tuloy ang biyahe hanggang Manila Bay o sa mas malaking waterways natin,” he said.
Recto went on: “Ang Manila Bay ay hindi inidoro ng plastic. Kung gaano kaganda ang sunset dito, ganoon naman kalala ang makikita mong basura na galing sa iresponsableng pagkakalat.”
He urged Filipinos to change their trash disposal habits and practice proper segregation and disposal.
“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. May disiplina naman tayo, sana’y lalong ipamalas pag nasa sariling bayan,” Recto said.