Manila Faces Garbage Crisis After Rains: Rivers Filled with Trash

The Philippines' capital, Manila, has been struggling with a garbage crisis after a week of monsoon rains, which have brought tons of trash into the rivers and bays. Workers are trying to collect the trash by swimming in the garbage-filled rivers. The garbage accumulation in Manila is described as 'critical'. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected the cleaning efforts in the capital region. During his visit to the Diokno Pumping Station in Pasay City, Marcos stated that the trash is clogging the waterways and flood control infrastructure, describing the situation as 'critical'. 'Look at this. Doesn't it look critical to you? It does to me,' he said.The President explained that the pumping stations' operation is being hindered by the large amount of trash, which not only comes from the surrounding settlements but also from Manila Bay. The high tide and floodwaters have contributed to the accumulation of trash around the pumping stations.The Philippine government is also conducting dredging operations in the rivers, canals, and waterways to reduce the risk of flooding. The 'Oplan Kontra Baha' program aims to improve the flow of water and reduce the incidence of flash floods. 'Infrastructure work alone is not enough. We also need to address the problem of improper waste disposal to prevent the waterways from being filled with trash again,' he said.