Devotees leave behind 138 tons of trash during papal visit – MMDA

Pope Francis spoke out about the need to care for the environment during his five-day visit to the Philippines, but the devotees who came to see him left at least 138 tons of garbage behind them.

According to a report on state-run Philippines News Agency on Monday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it collected about 138 tons—enough to fill 23 trucks—of trash left behind by the people who attended the Pope's events in the capital.

Most of the trash included plastic bottles, raincoats, plastic bags and spoiled food, the report said.

PNA quoted MMDA Metro Parkway Clearing Group head Francis Martinez as saying 10 truckloads were collected from Luneta on Sunday alone after the Pope's closing Mass.

“We begin clearing as soon as the events are finished. The dump truck is also nearby,” he said, noting this strategy was similar to that in the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila last Jan. 9.

Martinez noted 600 street sweepers were deployed to venues of the papal events during the five-day visit.

The collected garbage was dumped at Pier 18 in Manila after coordination with the city government, while a fire truck was used on the streets to remove the stench also left behind. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News