MMDA redirects Manila garbage to New San Mateo Landfill

Manila's garbage has been redirected to the New San Mateo Sanitary Landfill (NSMSLF) with the permanent closure of the Navotas Sanitary Landfill (NSLF).

NSMSLF will begin to receive Manila City’s garbage on August 27.

In a broadcast, Manila Mayor Francisco Moreno said that they are now conducting preparations to mitigate the longer turnaround time due to NSMSLF’s 30-kilometer distance from the City.

“Dahil sa advanced information na nakuha ko, two weeks ago pa tayo naghahanda. Binigyan ko ng direktiba si Director Kenneth Amurao at Department of Public Services (DPS) na gumawa ng plano kung saan dapat lumaki o lumobo ang dami ng truck na dapat i-provide ng ating contractor ng basura,” he shared.

(Because of the advanced information I received, we’ve been preparing for two weeks. I gave directives to Director Kenneth Amurao at the Department of Public Services (DPS) to create a plan where there should be an increase or rise in the number of trucks to be given by our garbage collection contractors.)

"Hindi pa natin alam ang mangyayari kapag sabay-sabay bumiyahe ang mga truck sa Commonwealth. That's the first challenge. The second challenge, kapag nasa San Mateo na ang queing, sabay-sabay dumadating ang truck, it will take time, babagal ang balikan," he added.

(We still don’t know what will happen if all the trucks travel simultaneously to Commonwealth. That's the first challenge. The second challenge upon arrival in San Mateo is the queuing when trucks arrive at the same time, which will take time, and the return will take longer.)

He said that while the city may shoulder heavier costs due to the change, public welfare was more important.

Moreno also called on residents of Manila to enforce discipline regarding their waste disposal.

"Lahat ng kababayan natin at lahat ng may negosyo, ako ay nakikiusap sa mga barangay officials na hangga’t maaari ay huwag po natin ilabas ang mga basura hangga’t hindi dumadating ang mga truck," he said.

(All our citizens and all businesses, I am asking the barangay officials to, as much as possible, not bring out your garbage when the trucks still haven’t arrived.)

"Gagampanan po namin ang aming tungkulin. Kailangan lang ang pakikiisa ng bawat tahanan, ng bawat pamilya – na magkaroon ng kusang disiplina," he added.

(We are doing our duties. We only need the cooperation of each home, each family, for there to be voluntary discipline.) –NB, GMA Integrated News