This morning, as we were watching the news, PAG-ASA reported that upcoming typhoon Pepeng, which is just around the corner, packs with much more strength compared to Ondoy, the typhoon that devastated Metro Manila and the Province of Rizal last Saturday.
During our distribution of relief goods to affected areas in Marikina as well as Sta. Mesa and San Juan, one thing noticeable that has caused the tremendous flooding was the presence of garbage.
I’m pretty sure Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando and his men are doing everything they can to rid the metropolis of garbage and make it a disciplined zone.
However, Fernando and his men can only do so much.
Seeing a flood-free Metro Manila or at least, minimize the flooding in the metropolis requires the entire citizenry’s cooperation.
The wife of my high school classmate Samuel, who lives in Arlegui Street in Quiapo, commented that what makes their street stink was the garbage that littered their place. No wonder, floodwater, which reached knee-deep in their area was murky and dark.
Even when we were helping Ava’s sister clean their neighborhood in the Industrial Zone in Marikina City, garbage was also present. Compounding their woes was the overflowing of the riverbanks, which made the tremendous flooding in their subdivision possible.
Hopefully, all of us (Filipinos) would make one solid contribution to our community in light of the severe flooding that has disrupted the normal lives of people—that is, keep your small garbage (like candy wrappers) on your pocket or in your bag, then just throw it in the nearest garbage bin.
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