The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) conducted a joint inspection to assess the Agency’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF) at the Vitas Pumping Station following the marching orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on flood control projects.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the inspection with DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman was conducted to demonstrate the agency’s efforts in flood control and solid waste management.
“We want to show the DBM how the public funds allocated to the agency are utilized effectively for flood control projects and waste segregation and processing facilities,” Artes said at the Vitas Pumping station in Manila, one of the flagship projects of MMDA in promoting responsible management of solid waste from waterways.
“Collected glass and plastic wastes primarily from the pumping stations and waterways are processed into by-products such as eco-bricks, eco-hollow blocks, and eco-concrete barriers.”
“Collected glass and plastic wastes primarily from the pumping stations and waterways are processed into by-products such as eco-bricks, eco-hollow blocks, and eco-concrete barriers through the Solid Waste Granulator (SWG), Brick Making Facility (BMF), and Plastic Processing Equipment (PPE),” the MMDA chief explained. “The project is under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) Phase 1 which aims to improve flood management in selected areas of Metro Manila.”
Meanwhile, Pangandaman said their inspection and assessment is in response to the President’s directive to check the effectiveness and efficiency of flood control projects across the country.
“These kinds of projects should be replicated in other parts of the country, especially those in flood-prone areas.”
The budget chief also lauded the MMDA for implementing the flood management project, concerning not only flood mitigation but also intercepting solid wastes that clog drainage systems and waterways, thereby improving solid waste management in Metro Manila, citing that “these kinds of projects should be replicated in other parts of the country, especially those in flood-prone areas.”
The budget head said the DBM will also start grading the accomplishments of the government agencies. “As for the MMDA, their projects are tangible and can also be replicated.”
“We will conduct an inventory of all flood control projects and submit a report to the Office of the President with details on how the flood control projects can be improved,” she added.
Pangandaman also called on the public to exercise discipline in throwing garbage.
Moreover, the MMDA is regularly implementing various flood control measures, including continuous declogging of drainages and dredging and desilting operations in major waterways.
“All these projects and efforts are aimed to reduce flooding and protect Metro Manila residents in line with the administration’s Bagong Pilipinas vision to address the problems of flooding,” Artes concluded.
