Workers remove 30 to 35 tons of garbage daily from Metro Manila’s waterways and pumping stations, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said, highlighting the massive volume of waste choking the capital’s flood-control network as the rainy season intensifies.

MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III said the agency hauls nearly 1,000 tons of waste each month from rivers, esteros, canals and pumping stations to keep flood-mitigation facilities operational.

“The painful truth is that many of the garbage our personnel remove should not even be there,” Torre said in a social media post.

“These were thrown into rivers, esteros and canals. In the end, they damage our trash rakes, clog our pumping stations, and worsen flooding — the very cause of so many public complaints,” he added.

Metro Manila relies on 71 MMDA-operated pumping stations to drain floodwaters from low-lying communities during heavy rainfall and high tides.

The facilities pump excess water into major waterways to prevent widespread flooding.

However, indiscriminate waste disposal continues to undermine the infrastructure, officials said. Past inspections at the Tripa de Gallina facility in Pasay City revealed not only plastic waste but also discarded furniture, refrigerators, tires and tree trunks clogging the system.

According to the agency, plastic waste frequently entangles pump motors, which reduces efficiency, causes overheating and risks severe equipment damage.

While the MMDA conducts regular dredging and declogging operations, officials said the constant influx of garbage hampers these efforts.

Pumping station personnel must manually remove debris daily, often wading through hazardous floodwaters to clear obstructions.

Torre said while these workers are essential to preventing severe flooding, government intervention alone is not enough. He urged residents to practice proper waste disposal.

“If all of us become responsible in properly disposing of our garbage, more time, funds and manpower can be devoted to other important projects for our cities,” Torre said.