Monday, September 01, 2008 MMDA to probe dumping of wastes in Metro’s drainage
METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando on Sunday ordered an investigation into food establishments including those located at shopping malls that are allegedly dumping their wastes in the metropolis already overburdened drainage system.
Fernando said a team from the agency’s Flood Control Sewerage Management Office (FCSMO) headed by its director Baltazar Melgar will look into complaints received by the MMDA that food establishments including fast food chains are dumping their wastes, such as left-over cooking oil and fats, grease, soap scum and other flotables in the drainage.
“I have directed Director Melgar to investigate the reports and come up with a recommendation that we could present to the owners so that this problem will be resolved. We learned that wastes including left-over cooking oil were being flushed in the drainage, inlets and even in canals by these business establishments. This is particularly galling since it blocked the flow of rainwater thereby causing flashflood especially during the rainy season,” Fernando said.
He said that once the sludge gets up to outlet pipe, it enters and clogs the drain field blocking the normal flow of water.
But the MMDA chief refused to provide the names of the establishments violating the law.
Melgar’s team, he said, will also recommend measures to the owners on proper handling of wastes, including the installation of “grease traps” to prevent left-over oil from seeping through the drainage system.
According to Fernando, food establishment owners must have the traps installed on their kitchen sinks.
Also, he said food establishments must make sure to inspect their tank every three to five years and scum and sludge must be pumped out on a regular basis.
Earlier, the MMDA was criticized for its supposed failure to resolve Metro Manila flooding despite the promise of Fernando to make the metropolis “flood-free” this year.
In the face of renewed criticism, Fernando denied making the specific pledge, saying that what he promised was that flooding will be greatly reduced.
Several lawmakers led by Parañaque Representative Roilo Golez has called for an investigation into the MMDA flood control programs especially on how the P200 million flood control funds are being utilized. (AH/Sunnex)
