Senator Legarda urges collective action as Parañaque declares garbage crisis

Senator Loren Legarda has called for a coordinated response from government agencies, businesses and the public after Parañaque City declared a garbage crisis after more than 500 tons of waste accumulated in the Redemptorist Water Channel in Baclaran.

The waste which included plastics, styrofoam and other debris from Manila Bay was carried in by the enhanced southwest monsoon. Waterways were clogged by the waste and worsened flooding in Metro Manila, while raising concerns over public health and the environment.

“Ang dagat ng basura sa Parañaque ay resulta ng ating pagsasawalang bahala sa maayos at tamang pagtatapon ng basura, at hindi ito katanggap-tanggap,” said Legarda.

“Ang ‘garbage crisis’ na ito ay may kaakibat na banta sa ating kalusugan at buhay dahil sa paglala ng baha at pagkalat ng mga sakit tulad ng leptospirosis. Kaya nananawagan ako na tayo’y gumising na. Wakasan na ang mga open dumpsite na nagpapanggap na landfills, tigilan na ang single-use plastics, at huwag reaksyunaryong tugon lamang ang ipatupad. Kailangan ang kooperasyon ng lahat ng sektor upang matugunan ang krisis na ito bago mahuli ang lahat,” she added.

Legarda said the crisis also highlights gaps in the implementation of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which she principally authored. The law requires proper segregation, handling, treatment and disposal of solid waste, with local communities and households playing a central role.

“The implementation of RA 9003 is per barangay, per household. We must hold our local government units accountable, but at the same time empower them by ensuring they have functional Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs),” she stated.

While acknowledging the need for immediate clearing efforts by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways and local government personnel, Legarda said these measures would not address the underlying causes of the country's waste problem.

She called for the passage of several measures she has filed in the Senate aimed at reducing waste generation and promoting a more circular and climate-adaptive economy.

Among these are the Philippine Circular Economy Promotion Act (SB 306), which seeks to phase out single-use plastics and strengthen extended producer responsibility; the Zero Food Waste Act (SB 509), which would divert organic waste from landfills; the PlasTax Act (SB 811), which proposes an excise tax on single-use plastics; and the Low Carbon Economy Act (SB 166), which seeks to establish a cap-and-trade system and cut greenhouse gas emissions, including methane from landfills.

Legarda also urged the public to recognize that small acts of improper waste disposal can contribute to larger environmental problems when repeated across communities.

“Akala siguro natin, maliit lang naman, konti lang naman, kaya okay lang itapon kung saan. Ngunit kung ganito tayo mag-isip, ibig sabihin hindi natin naiintindihan ang puso ng tamang pagtatapon ng basura,” Legarda expressed.