By Giel Eduard Acot Orillosa
Every year in the Philippines, the same sad story happens. Typhoons and habagat rains come, and floodwaters rise quickly. Streets become rivers, homes are filled with dirty water, and many people are forced to leave or suffer in silence. The damage is big — lives are lost, properties are destroyed and travel becomes impossible.
One major reason for the floods is the careless disposal of trash. Even with many warnings from the government and different campaigns about proper waste disposal, people still throw garbage everywhere. Canals, rivers, esteros, and drainage systems are full of plastic waste. Because of this, rainwater cannot flow out naturally, and it causes floods even during normal rains.
Another big problem is corruption. Many believe that money for flood-control projects is not used properly. Even Sen. Panfilo Lacson said that about P1 trillion could have been lost due to corruption. He said that it’s strange how floodwaters rise even as the government increases the budget for flood-control programs.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David also spoke strongly about this issue. He said the real disaster is not only climate change ,but also corruption. He called it a sin against the poor. Money meant to protect people is stolen, and the people suffer. He also criticized reclamation projects that destroy mangroves and natural barriers, which make flooding worse.
Cardinal David urged people to act. He said we should not just pray for change, but also demand accountability from officials. He asked that all flood-control projects be open to the public for review. People must know where their money goes. Government funds should not be used for political favors.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority always reminds people not to throw garbage on the streets, but many ignore these reminders. This shows a serious problem: a lack of discipline among citizens. Some people do not care about where they throw trash. At the same time, some barangay officials do nothing to stop them.
In 1986, when the Metro Manila Commission was still active, it created “Bantay Estero” teams to stop people from dumping trash into waterways. These teams watched esteros and rivers and reminded people to be responsible. Sadly, that effort is not strong today.
Plastic waste in the Philippines is not only a local problem — it’s a global one. A scientific study said the country produces around 1.88 million metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste each year. That’s almost six percent of the world’s total. Much of this plastic ends up in the ocean and stays there for many years. The Philippines now ranks third in the world for plastic waste pollution, after China and Indonesia.
To solve the flood problem, people must change. Citizens need to be more responsible. Even something small, like not throwing a candy wrapper on the street, helps a lot. If every person does their part, we can lessen the floods, save lives and protect the environment.