Neglect and Indifference to Metro Manila’s Huge Garbage Problem.

Twenty-four years after its enactment, local government units still struggle to implement the Solid Waste Management Law. So far, eighty complaints have been filed with the Ombudsman for non-compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001, or RA 9003, which was signed into law in 2001.

One of the most alarming situations is the Manila city government’s failure to settle over P561 million in debt to garbage collector Leonel Waste Management Corporation. This led the contractor to refuse to renew its agreement or participate in a new bidding. This reflects the poor governance and mindset of many local governments in Metro Manila, who continue to neglect the urgent garbage collection and waste management problems.

Garbage clogs drainage systems and waterways, hinders the flow of water, and spills into the streets, causing widespread flooding during heavy rains. The accumulation of waste, compounded by inadequate and outdated drainage systems, continues to be a challenge under the leadership of inept, self-centered, and corrupt local government executives.

From Andrew Marasigan of Business Mirror, June 30, 2019:

“Exacerbating the situation is the amount of garbage we generate. In Metro Manila alone, the amount of garbage generated is an astonishing 12,000 tons per day. This puts Metro Manila among the top five most severe waste-ridden cities in the world. Quezon City is the largest generator of trash, spewing out some 3,600 tons a day, followed by Manila and Caloocan, which generate 1,200 and 913 tons daily, respectively.”

While existing laws mandate that non-organic waste—such as metals and plastics—be segregated and channeled to recyclers, the reality is that the country does not have enough recycling facilities to absorb the city’s entire load of non-organic waste. What happens is that the bulk of recyclable materials is sent to junk shops that attempt to repurpose them. Those that remain unsold are simply dumped in open trash pits and waterways.

There are currently three landfills in Metro Manila: the 40-hectare landfill in Navotas, the 19-hectare landfill in San Mateo, and the expanded 70-plus-hectare landfill in Rodriguez. Toxic emissions from these countless tons of waste pose serious health and environmental risks.

Local government units in Metro Manila have not embraced sustainable solutions to address their mounting garbage problem, which contributes to widespread flooding. Technologies and professional expertise are available to convert waste into energy or fuel. Although some cities have attempted such initiatives, only one facility has been successfully established—a waste-to-energy plant at the Rizal landfill, operated by Montalban Methane Power Corporation.

Indeed, this is a sad testament to the unabated indifference and deliberate neglect of Metro Manila’s local governments in resolving a crisis that directly endangers public health and safety.