Over 3,104 cubic meters of garbage, equivalent to 841.34 tons, has been collected as of November 22 from affected areas in Marikina City and San Mateo in Rizal which were left devastated by typhoon Ulysses, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said clearing operations will continue until areas affected by the typhoon are clean and safe.
At least 150 personnel are assigned to assist the local governments of Marikina and San Mateo, Rizal, in their clearing operations. The MMDA also dispatched heavy equipment such as dump trucks, and payloaders, Lim said.
“Our personnel shall continue rendering assistance to affected residents until local government units’ rehabilitation works are completed.”
“Our personnel shall continue rendering assistance to affected residents until local government units’ rehabilitation works are completed. We are always ready to help in restoring normalcy in the affected communities,” the traffic chief stressed.
Areas of operation in Marikina City are in Barangays Malanday, Sto. Niño and Tañong, particularly Provident Village, while areas of operation in San Mateo, Rizal are in Barangays Guitnang Bayan, Banaba, and Sta. Ana.
Francis Martinez, MMDA Metroparkways Clearing Group head, said it would take several weeks more before Marikina and San Mateo are totally rid of garbage and mud left by floodwaters brought by Typhoon Ulysses last November 12.
Garbage includes broken appliances, furniture, equipment, soiled stuff, and clothing.
“Garbage is also starting to emit foul odor so we are fast-tracking its collection.”
Residents opt to throw this trash away as they are soaked in floodwater.
“Garbage is also starting to emit foul odor so we are fast-tracking its collection. Based on our estimate, we can collect a year’s worth of trash in Marikina City from the thousands of homes affected by the typhoon in the city,” said Martinez.
Typhoon Ulysses caused massive flooding in some parts of Metro Manila and Rizal on November 12.
On November 17, Lim distributed face masks, face shields, and relief bags donated by Philippine Hardware Foundation and St. Stephen High School Alumni Association when he inspected severely-damaged areas in Barangay Malanday, Marikina.
At the height of Typhoon Ulysses, the agency was one of the first responders in rescue and evacuation operations in Marikina City. San Mateo, Rizal also sought the assistance of the MMDA in its ongoing clearing operations.