MMDA starts Estero Blitz II

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino will spearhead the month-long MMDA Estero Blitz II this February 3, starting with an intensive clean-up of the Sta. Clara Creek and Makati Diversion Channel.

The first month-long August Estero Blitz was conducted successfully last year. A 30-day cleanup of creeks and other waterways in Metro Manila, the August Estero Blitz resulted in 7,383 cubic meters of garbage and silt collected from 44 Metro Manila esteros - enough to fill up three Olympic-size swimming pools.

Chairman Tolentino personally took part in the August Estero Blitz, trudging into the esteros as early as five a.m. everyday.

"We will conduct estero clean-ups every quarter," said Tolentino. "We need to keep our waterways flowing to minimize endemic flooding that takes place with continuous rainfall."

The Chairman urged citizens to stop indiscriminate waste disposal. "Every piece of carelessly thrown litter ends up in our waterways," he explained.

The MMDA Estero Blitz program aims to maximize the conveyance capacity of Metro Manila's waterways. Clean waterways convey a bigger volume of floodwaters.

It was observed that floods in Metro Manila receded faster following the August clean-up, particularly at the Camanava area during Typhoon Pedring which took place September last year.

Likewise, perennially flood-prone areas like Espana, areas near Tripa de Gallina and areas near the San Juan River like Salapan Creek were spared from flooding last year, largely attributed to the Estero Blitz Program.

Chairman Tolentino commended the cities of Las Pinas, Makati and Quezon City for banning the use of plastic packaging materials, following the lead of Muntinlupa City. This practice will greatly reduce the amount of non-biodegradable waste material in Metro Manila.

The Estero Blitz II will also involve the conduct of teach-ins on solid waste management and medical missions for the nearby communities.

The participation of the local communities, barangay officials and Flood Control Bayanihan Zone Alliances will facilitate Estero Blitz II. - MMDA — ARA