Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso on Monday, February 16, formally launched Manila’s updated 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan, placing strong emphasis on waste reduction and segregation at the source to address the city’s growing garbage problem.

Speaking during the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, Domagoso stressed that cleanliness remains a fundamental duty of the local government, regardless of where the waste originates. He underscored the responsibility of the city to act decisively, noting that residents ultimately judge the government by the presence of garbage in their communities.

The updated plan, according to Department of Environmental and Public Services (DEPS) Director Kenneth Amurao, prioritizes reducing overall waste generation and minimizing the volume sent to landfills. Central to the strategy is stricter segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste at the household and office levels. The city is expanding composting operations in its materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and strengthening partnerships with private firms for recyclable collection.

Amurao raised concern over rising per capita waste generation, which has nearly doubled from 0.6 kilograms to almost 1 kilogram per person daily. He added that the plan allows updates every two years to adapt to new technologies and policies, including the potential adoption of waste-to-energy systems.

The initiative follows the permanent closure of the Navotas Sanitary Landfill in August 2025, which forced Manila to reroute its garbage to the New San Mateo Sanitary Landfill. The shift increased hauling distances, operational costs, and turnaround times due to queuing from multiple local government units.

City officials said the long-term strategy aims to ease pressure on landfills, lower collection costs, and promote a cleaner, more sustainable environment for Manileños.