'Truly shocking sea of trash' in Manila: Before-and-after cleanup

Manila officials have declared a waste crisis after a massive accumulation of garbage choked the Redemptorist Water Channel in Barangay Baclaran. The shocking sight of plastic bottles, styrofoam, wood, tires, and other debris clogging the 1-km channel, which links Parañaque and Pasay, emerged after days of heavy monsoon rains. The incident has reignited concerns over solid waste management in Metro Manila, where improper disposal often exacerbates flooding during the rainy season.

Joint clearing operations by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Parañaque city government significantly reduced the volume of garbage over three days. By Wednesday, the channel was largely clear of surface trash, with 72 truckloads - approximately 396.6 metric tons - of waste collected. Additional equipment, including floating backhoes and a trash skimmer, aided the cleanup efforts.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attributed the garbage buildup to a damaged trash trap combined with extreme rainfall equivalent to nearly a month's total and high tides that washed debris from Manila Bay into the channel. The president acknowledged the severity of the problem, calling it a "garbage crisis" that required addressing infrastructure issues alongside stronger penalties for improper waste disposal.

The government has resumed dredging of waterways after a 12-year gap, aiming to alleviate the clogging and flood risks. Marcos Jr. also emphasized the need for adequate waste disposal facilities, urging the Philippines to emulate Japan's effective waste-management system and plans for waste-to-energy facilities to reduce landfill dependence while generating power.