PRESIDENT Marcos on Tuesday said the government will push ahead with its waste-to-energy program as part of efforts to address garbage buildup in waterways and help mitigate flooding.
Marcos raised the issue after inspecting a high-vacuum self-priming drainage trailer pump in Barangay Zapote, Las Piñas City, amid heavy rains brought by two back-to-back tropical cyclones and the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat in parts of Luzon.
The President said garbage had accumulated in waterways in nearby Parañaque City after floodwaters opened drainage channels, with high tide causing the waste to be trapped.
‘Nakita ninyo ang mga picture, punong-puno ng basura iyong mga kanal na hindi naman galing sa Parañaque, galing sa ibang lugar iyon (You saw the pictures – the canals were full of garbage that did not come from Parañaque. It came from other places],’ Marcos said.
He urged local governments (LGU) and the public to dispose of waste properly, warning that garbage dumped indiscriminately could worsen flooding and cause significant damage.
Marcos said the government will continue its waste-to-energy program, which involves processing garbage to generate electricity.
‘Kami naman sa pamahalaan, itutuloy na namin ang waste-to-energy program. Iyon iyong kinukuha basura at ito ay pino-process at ginagawang kuryente [For the government’s part, we will continue with the waste-to-energy program. It takes garbage, processes it, and turns it into electricity],’ he said.
‘Napakalaking bagay niyan kapag nagawa natin [That would be a very significant thing once we accomplish it].’
Marcos said waste-to-energy technology is already established, indicating that the government sees the program as a viable long-term measure for addressing the country’s waste problem.
The initiative is being pursued alongside flood-control measures under the administration’s Oplan Kontra Baha, including dredging waterways and completing flood-control infrastructure.
Marcos was accompanied by Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III, as well as local officials, during the Las Piñas inspection. PNA