The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) removes 30 to 35 tons of garbage every day from Metro Manila's waterways and pumping stations, underscoring the scale of waste clogging the capital's flood-control system as the rainy season intensifies.

MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III disclosed the figures, saying the agency hauls nearly 1,000 tons of waste every 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, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and high tide. 

The facilities pump excess water into major waterways to help prevent widespread flooding in the capital.

MMDA officials have repeatedly warned that indiscriminate waste disposal continues to undermine the effectiveness of the region's flood-control infrastructure.

Previous inspections at the Tripa de Gallina facility in Pasay recovered not only plastic waste but also discarded furniture, refrigerators, tires, tree trunks and other bulky debris that had accumulated in trash racks and waterways. 

According to the agency, plastic waste often becomes entangled in pump motors, reducing pumping efficiency, causing overheating and increasing the risk of equipment damage.

The MMDA conducts regular declogging and dredging operations before and during the rainy season, but officials said these efforts are hampered by the constant influx of garbage into waterways.

Torre said personnel assigned to the agency's pumping stations manually remove debris from the facilities every day to ensure the pumps remain operational, a task he described as physically demanding and hazardous as workers often wade through dirty floodwaters to clear obstructions.

He said the workers' efforts are essential in preventing more severe flooding across the metropolis but stressed that flood mitigation cannot rely solely on government intervention.

He urged the public to properly dispose of their waste, saying every piece of trash kept out of rivers, esteros and drainage canals contributes to a safer and more flood-resilient Metro Manila.

"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.