In compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to address flooding in Metro Manila, a metro-wide estero cleanup is now underway. The initiative, part of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) Phase 1, focuses on improving the city's waterway management, with various facilities and innovative technologies designed to help collect, transport, and dispose of waste more efficiently, reducing waste reaching sanitary landfills.
The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) serves as the lead coordinator and implementer of the cleanup, with local city and barangay officials partnering for coordination and mobilization of resources and manpower. Alongside the MMDA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is responsible for deploying estero rangers to handle trash collection and work with the MMDA on environmental safeguards.
Additional support comes from the Department of Labor and Employment, which provides extra manpower through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, while ensuring labor standards are upheld. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contributes heavy equipment and engineering coordination, and the Department of Education (DepEd) spearheads the public information campaign on proper waste management and the importance of protecting waterways.
Private partners, including the APO Fraternity and the Lucio Tan Group, are also contributing resources, such as clean-up tools, to support the cleanup efforts.
The operations have already commenced, with the cleanup and rehabilitation of 23 priority esteros expected to be completed by the third quarter of the year. The MMDA will continue to return to the sites for regular maintenance to ensure the waterways remain functional and well-managed over time. The agency will also monitor the remaining 273 waterways in Metro Manila, scheduling further cleanups to address the ongoing needs of the city’s waterway management system.
Atty. Romando Artes, Chairman of the MMDA, emphasized the significance of clearing the waterways to mitigate the effects of flooding caused by heavy rains, often exacerbated by climate change. He pointed out that the accumulation of trash and silts in waterways is the result of public indiscipline in waste disposal, a problem that must be addressed immediately.
The MMDA’s efforts, including the declogging of drainage laterals, dredging of open waterways, and desilting of drainage mains, are crucial for flood mitigation in Metro Manila. With the help of stakeholders, the MMDA aims to improve the management of the region's waterways and enhance its preparedness for future heavy rains.