President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the absence of adequate facilities for proper waste disposal is contributing to the worsening garbage problem not only in Metro Manila but across the country.

Marcos inspected the ongoing clearing operations at a rain-drenched pumping station along Jose W. Diokno Avenue, across the main gate of the Senate compound in Pasay City, where a huge volume of solid waste—including plastic materials, styrofoam, wood, and other debris—had accumulated.

The President was accompanied by Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Hizon, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Don Artes.

Marcos said the accumulated garbage could immediately clog the pumping station if not regularly removed, particularly as floodwaters and high tide carry trash from Manila Bay into waterways.

“Pero makita ninyo kapag hindi natin nilinis ito, barado agad ang pumping station at ganyang karami ang pumasok na basura,” Marcos told reporters during the inspection.

The President said the ongoing operation involves clearing the water entering the pumping station and removing the garbage before it further hampers the facility’s operation.

Marcos also cited the government’s waste-to-energy program as a long-term solution to the country’s growing garbage problem, particularly as existing landfills become increasingly expensive and difficult to use.

“Nandito si Sec. Sharon ng Department of Energy dahil pinag-uusapan namin nang mabuti yung waste to energy na mga plano,” Marcos said, adding that the government is moving toward the auction of electricity that will be generated by waste-to-energy facilities.

The President said the government is studying the location of waste-to-energy plants to minimize the hauling costs that local government units would have to shoulder in transporting collected garbage.

“Ang ating iniisip, imbes landfill dadalhin, dadalhin sa waste to energy plant,” the President said.

Marcos said the government is also pursuing dredging and clearing of waterways, canals and esteros, but stressed that these efforts could be undermined if garbage continues to enter and clog pumping stations.

“We have to go through the entire process kung saan kayang makuha ang basura bago pumasok dito sa city, bago mapunta, mabara ang ating mga pumping stations,” the President said.

On penalties for indiscriminate garbage disposal, Marcos said imposing fines alone would not solve the problem if people do not have proper places where they can throw their waste.

“It is not useful to fine people for not throwing their garbage if there is no place to put their garbage,” the President said, citing Japan’s system in which people keep their garbage until they can properly dispose of it.

The President said the government must therefore provide adequate garbage disposal facilities while enforcing existing penalties against violators.

“Kailangan bigyan din natin ng facilities na kung saan pwede itapon iyong basura,” the Chief Executive said.

The President said putting the waste-to-energy system in place would require coordination among national agencies, LGUs and private-sector groups, but the technical preparations have already been completed.

Marcos said the government expects the new system to begin taking shape within a year to a year and a half as authorities finalize the locations, LGU arrangements and electricity procurement for waste-to-energy plants. Presidential News Desk