'Keep waterways clear of trash, learn from experience,' DENR says
The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources is urging the public and local governments to keep waterways clear of trash to prevent flooding during the monsoon season. Officials emphasized that improper waste management violates the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
Why it matters
Effective waste management is essential for flood mitigation and environmental protection in regions prone to severe weather events.
MANILA – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned that improperly managed garbage can worsen flooding during heavy rains, urging local government units (LGUs) and the public to keep waterways free from trash and to learn from experiences, as the southwest monsoon or “habagat” is expected to continue affecting parts of the country through September.
In a news release Thursday, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said waste that ends up in canals, creeks, rivers and drainage systems obstructs water flow during heavy rainfall and is eventually carried into coastal areas and the Manila Bay.
“Habagat is a natural phenomenon, but the waste that ends up in waterways is something that can be prevented. Every piece of waste kept out of our waterways is one less obstruction to drainage and one less piece of pollution that can reach our rivers, coasts and seas,” he stressed.
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