Three hundred truckloads of garbage, equivalent to 2,000 metric tons, have so far been hauled off the streets of Manila in a 24/7 cleanup operation initiated by the city’s new mayor, Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.
In a report by RH 29 Boy Gonzales, this much refuse was collected from 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 30, until 12:00 midnight. According to the Department of Public Services (DPS) in Manila, the cleanup will continue until the streets have been cleared and Manila is clean and orderly.
Moreover, the length of Recto Avenue at Divisoria was scrubbed with soap to remove the gunk and pungent odor.
The local government will find ways to support vendors’ livelihoods while ensuring they do not obstruct foot and vehicular traffic, said Mayor Isko Moreno.
At present, the Manila government is carrying on with its cleanup efforts, and hopes every barangay official and Manileño cooperates.
“Hindi pa natutulog ‘yung mga MDRRMO (Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office), DPS, (Department of) Engineering (and Public Works). Pati si (Manila Police District Director Brig.) Gen. (Benigno) Guzman,” Moreno told reporter Gonzales.
“Wala namang nagbago sa Maynila, luma pa rin. Pero maaliwalas. ‘Di naman magiging BGC bigla ang Maynila. Maybe not in my lifetime, but ‘yung maging maaliwalas tsaka panatag ang pamumuhay,” he added.
(The MDRRMO, DPS, and Department of Engineering and Public Works personnel have not slept. Even MPD Director Brig. Gen. Benigno Guzman. Nothing has changed about Manila; it’s still old. But it’s pleasant. Manila will not suddenly become BGC. Maybe not in my lifetime, but we can make living here comfortable and peaceful.)
Manila Public Information Office (PIO) Officer E-Jhay Talagtag said the mayor visited Taft Avenue, Padre Faura, Navotas, Ricardo Papa Street, and the Mabuhay Rotonda or roundabout.
“Inikot niya po kagabi ang Taft Avenue, especially kahabaan ng Padre Faura, sa may PGH po no, kitang-kita niyo ‘yung libag (the dirt is very obvious) … Tapos pumunta naman siya sa Navotas, ‘yung entry point po natin doon, tapos after non, sa R. Papa, and after po non, ay sa Welcome rotonda. Gusto niya kasi iparamdam na may 24/7 gobyerno dito no (He wants for people to feel there is a 24/7 functional government here),” Talagtag said.
Moreno told reporters on Monday that the contractors for garbage collection in Manila ceased waste removal after being left unpaid. One company’s contract ended in October, but they only stopped on December 31. Another was only paid for January, he revealed. Due to “financial mismanagement,” garbage disposal fees have gone up from ₱561 million to ₱950 million.
