The Philippine authorities have removed an incredible 130,000 tonnes of garbage from rivers surrounding Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), indicating the extreme effect of waste buildup on city flooding. The cleanup program is part of an overarching environmental initiative aimed at reducing the long-standing drainage woes that have plagued the airport and nearby regions during rainy seasons.
Experts attribute the accumulation of waste to a chronic “toss-it-and-forget-it” culture, which jams waterways and worsens flooding threats. Plastic trash, broken appliances, and even domestic furniture have been spotted in the jammed rivers, indicating the necessity for more stringent waste management policies.
The inundation of Manila’s main airport has resulted in serious travel disruptions, and officials have moved to speed up dredging and cleanup. Environmental activists emphasize that without sustainable waste management systems and civic education campaigns, the issue will remain even if major-scale dredging schemes are undertaken.
Authorities are also contemplating long-term measures to avert flooding, such as better waste segregation campaigns and enhanced fines for illegal dumping. But sustaining the change depends on the actions of both residents and authorities, which must combine to avoid any more harm to the environment.
