- MMDA has relaunched its “Estero Blitz” project to clean and declog Metro Manila waterways
- The agency is teaming up with the Ombudsman to punish barangay officials who will tolerate residents dumping wastes on esteros (canals)
- MMDA says they will take pictures before and after cleaning the esteros and send them to the Ombudsman
- It will be up to the Ombudsman to determine the liability of negligent officials
MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be teaming up with the Office of the Ombudsman in dealing with negligent barangay officials who allow esteros in their vicinity to be clogged with garbage.
MMDA’s latest move was announced by Chairman Emerson Carlos at the relaunching of the agency’s “Estero Blitz” project; an estero-cleaning drive across Metro Manila in accordance with the Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act.
“After cleaning up esteros through our Estero Blitz program, we will take photos of these waterways and send these to the Ombudsman,” Carlos said during a weekly radio program on Sunday.
Carlos added “Estero Blitz” will recommence on Tuesday, March 1.
The MMDA chief lamented that the government campaign to get rid of debris and trash that clog esteros were put to waste after barangay officials tolerated the residents to continue dumping garbage in these waterways.
It was for this reason that they sought the help of the Ombudsman to punish erring barangay execs for their negligence.
“Upon return to subject waterways and we see that its cleanliness is not maintained, we will give the Ombudsman anew of pictures,” said Carlos; adding that they will leave it to the Ombudsman to determine the liability of the officials concerned.
The MMDA official explained that the flood-control facilities like pumping stations tend to ‘underperform’ because they end up pumping out trash instead of water, hampering the operation altogether.
The MMDA relaunched their “Estero Blitz” program on March 1 and will last throughout the summer season. First on the list are Estero de Kabulusan and Estero de Quiapo in Manila, as well as other waterways in Pasay City.
MMDA flood control office chief Baltazar Melgar said there are 273 esteros across Metro Manila and they need to clean them up before the rainy season starts.
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