We are in the middle of a garbage crisis and the next generation will inherit it.

Pile of garbage on a Manila street is a common blight. AFP

The waste problem of Metro Manila has reached crisis proportion and cleaning up, particularly of the water bodies, would need a strong political will, Roy Cimatu, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary, said.

Addressing a forum yesterday, the Environment chief noted, “Our experience taught us the importance of political will to make things happen — like what happened in Boracay.”

“We are in the middle of a garbage crisis, and the next generation will inherit it if we now don’t move. We and the following generation will suffer the consequences if we don’t change,” according to Cimatu.

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier directed the DENR to rehabilitate all waterways starting with those near the resort island of Boracay. A six-month shutdown resulted to the enhancement of the water system off the island.

The former Armed Forces chief of staff said waste buildup has become unprecedented and clean-up campaigns are no longer enough since, he said, trash should be halted from its source, such as stopping the indiscriminate throwing of garbage.

“If we continue to act only for our independent interests, continue to spoil our water bodies and fail to responsibly manage our wastes, we will not be able to sustain our efforts on this campaign,” he said.

Cimatu warned that coming generations of Filipinos will suffer the consequences of the crisis, “if we do not change the way we behave as an organization and as individuals.”

In Metro Manila, accumulated waste in the first quarter reached 34,574.77 cubic meters and 32,221.17 cubic meters in the second quarter, surpassing the baseline estimate for the entire year.

“The target estimated waste generation baseline for 2019 of 58,112.31 cubic meters had been surpassed,” he said.

The Environment chief said instilling discipline among Filipinos in waste disposal is a prerequisite.

“We found out really that it’s a culture and behavior problem. Because despite our warning to them (residents) to not throw anything, garbage is always there,” he said.

Cimatu said the DENR had to put up concrete fences to prevent people from dumping their waste into rivers. The agency also plans to construct a common septic tank for informal settlers while it is arranging their relocation.

“The garbage problem is not solved by cleaning it right where these are located. So, we have to clean it really from source,” he said.

He said when the public senses that the leadership has a strong resolve, everything seems to follow.

“Political will enabled us to mobilize supporters, volunteers and ordinary Filipino citizens to rally to our cause,” he said.

Asked if he would recommend to the President the banning of single-use plastic, which makes up a large part of the country’s maritime waste, Cimatu said a department order addressing the problem is being drafted.

“Within the next two weeks, (we will finalize) a department order prescribing the use of plastic,” he said, adding that it would be better if people can really avoid single-use plastics.

Cimatu said similar to Boracay’s rehabilitation, the restoration of Manila Bay to its pristine condition is achievable.

“We have proven them wrong. We have made the impossible really possible,” he said.

“The task before us seems gargantuan in size and encompasses a variety of issues that we need to resolve to reach our goal,” he added.

As of 21 November, more than 13,000 commercial establishments have been inspected, 2,684 of which have been issued with notices of violation and possible closure, while 1,910 more notices of breaches with DENR laws will be issued.

“Some 107 establishments were issued with cease and desist orders,” he added.

Cimatu said recent sampling of water in the bay showed a general decrease in fecal coliform.

“We admit these levels are way beyond the prescribed standards, but it will drastically improve once a planned treatment plant becomes operational,” he said.

The DENR chief emphasized that the new guidelines on the waste-to-energy method will demonstrate how the process can work “without violating the Clean Air Act.”

Cimatu said P644 million has been allocated in the budget next year for the regular cleanup of esteros in Metro Manila.

He stressed that safeguarding the quality of waterways would significantly improve the water quality in Manila Bay.

Over 1,100 “Estero Rangers” have been deployed in over 700 barangays in Metro Manila earlier this month, according to Cimatu. These rangers are tasked to regularly clean esteros and prevent indiscriminate dumping of garbage.

He pointed to the San Juan River as the most polluted in Metro Manila.