As the southwest monsoon or Habagat is forecast to continue affecting the country through September, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging local government units (LGUs) and the public to step up solid waste management and carry out preventive measures, highlighting that compliance with Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 is critical to mitigating flood risks and protecting waterways and marine ecosystems.
DENR Secretary Juan Miguel “Mitch” Cuna emphasized that heavy rains and flooding often displace waste, which can clog canals, creeks, rivers and shorelines, worsen flooding and damage coastal and marine environments. He noted that while the Habagat is a natural weather system, waste entering waterways is largely preventable, and proper solid waste management serves not only cleanliness but also public safety and environmental protection.
Under RA 9003, LGUs bear primary responsibility for solid waste management within their jurisdictions, including waste segregation, collection, recovery, recycling, composting and safe disposal of residual waste. The law also prohibits littering, dumping in public waterways, and open dumping or burying of waste in flood-prone areas. The DENR, through its Environmental Management Bureau, continues to assist LGUs in complying with these mandates by reviewing solid waste management plans, inspecting facilities, ordering corrective actions, and providing technical support to improve waste reduction, resource recovery and proper disposal practices.
The department has put in place several ongoing initiatives to support these efforts, including the MV Nilad Marine Cleanup & Disaster Response Program for debris collection in Manila Bay, the Estero Rangers Health & Wellness Program for community cleanup workers, and the DENR Express mobile permitting service. A total of 196 trash traps have been installed across Metro Manila to intercept floating waste and prevent waterway blockages.
The DENR is directing LGUs to maintain fully functional waste management systems by ensuring regular collection, enforcing source segregation, clearing drainage channels of illegally dumped waste, maximizing the use of Materials Recovery Facilities, and conducting pre-storm precautions such as trimming hazardous tree branches. Members of the public are also reminded to segregate waste, follow collection schedules, avoid dumping waste in waterways, and secure household waste properly.
“Every piece of waste kept out of our waterways is one less obstruction to drainage and one less piece of pollution that can reach our rivers, coasts and seas,” Secretary Cuna said. He added that effective flood and pollution prevention begins well before severe weather strikes, through consistent source segregation, regular collection, responsible disposal, and full enforcement of existing environmental laws.
