24 dump trucks of trash collected in Maligaya Creek in Caloocan —MMDA

A total of 24 dump trucks of trash have been collected from Maligaya Creek in Caloocan City since the weekend, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Wednesday.

The MMDA and Caloocan government held the cleanup drive as part of the “Bayanihan sa Estero" program, which aims to clear garbage along esteros and canals to mitigate flooding amid the rainy season.

“At least 24 dump trucks or equivalent to 48 tons of garbage were collected from Maligaya Creek since last weekend until today,” the MMDA said in a statement.

“Among the waste gathered were plastic bottles, food wrappers, and all sorts of garbage thrown indiscriminately into esteros and creeks,” it added.

Personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also helped in the cleanup drive in Maligaya Creek.

Some residents near Maligaya Creek lamented the waste and flooding problems in the area, according to a report of GMA Integrated News’ James Agustin on Unang Balita.

A resident suggested displaying “no littering” signs in the area.

“Bumabaha po diyan dahil nga po sa basura. Umaabot po 'yan hanggang doon sa kalagitnaan ang basura. Ang tubig ngayon hindi nakalabas dito. Umaahon ngayon ang tubig. Kailangan niyan lagyan ng paskil na huwag nang magtapon ng basura,” said Arturo Paras, one of the residents.

(There's flooding because of the garbage. The garbage reaches all the way to the middle. The water can't flow out so it is now rising. They need to put up a sign saying no to throwing garbage.)

Another resident said sometimes floods enter some houses.

“Matagal na naming problema 'yan e, 'yang basura na 'yan. Kapag talagang malakas ang ulan, kapag talagang umaapaw 'yan, siyempre dito lalabas sa amin. Kawawa 'yung nasa looban. Ako hindi kawawa kasi nasa third floor ako, 'yung nasa loob sila ang kawawa kung minsan lampas tao ang tubig dyan," the resident said.

(That's been our problem for a long time, that garbage. When there are heavy rains, when the creek really overflows, of course it reaches us here. I feel bad for the people living on the ground floor. I'm not affected because I live on the third floor. Sometimes the flood reaches up to over six feet.)

The National Capital Region has 273 creeks with a total length of 570 kilometers, according to the MMDA.

All 71 pumping stations managed by the MMDA are 100% operational and working at full capacity, the agency said.

"The program dubbed ‘Estero ay Alagaan, Bayan ay Protektahan’ seeks to address major blockages that impedes the natural flow of water,” MMDA general manager Procopio Lipana said.

“Through this initiative, we would be able to remove waste from drainage systems that could worsen flooding during heavy downpours," he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News