Rizal town residents urged to stop dumping garbage in waterways

LUCENA CITY, Quezon – The local government of Taytay, Rizal, on Thursday urged residents to refrain from throwing garbage into creeks, rivers, and other waterways, warning that improper waste disposal contributes significantly to flooding.

Following several days of heavy rains, large volumes of garbage were again washed into the municipality’s waterways, according to the local government’s Public Information Office (PIO) in a Facebook post written in Filipino.

“This isn’t just trash—it is one of the causes of flooding,” the PIO stressed.

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In response, the Municipal Engineering Office’s Flood Control Section immediately conducted clearing operations in garbage-clogged waterways, particularly at Dividend Creek, to remove accumulated debris and waste.

The local government said its personnel carry out daily dredging and cleaning of rivers, creeks, and drainage channels to reduce the risk of flooding.

“However, after every rainfall, these waterways become clogged again with improperly discarded waste,” the PIO.

It added: “Keeping our waterways clean is the government’s responsibility, but maintaining their cleanliness is a shared responsibility of us all.”

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Authorities emphasized that proper waste disposal helps keep rivers clean, prevents waterways from becoming obstructed, and protects families and communities from flooding.

“Do your part. Be disciplined. Take care of the environment. A clean, safe, and progressive Taytay begins with every responsible Taytayeño,” the local government appealed.

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Early last month, the municipality intensified dredging and desilting operations in its rivers and creeks as part of its flood mitigation efforts during the rainy season.

READ: DPWH urges Filipinos to manage waste properly to stop flooding

Meanwhile, the PIO announced that the local government has formally partnered with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration to install modern flood-monitoring equipment across the municipality.

The project will provide real-time data to the Taytay Command Center, enhancing the town’s capability to monitor water levels, river flow, and strength of currents in creeks and waterways.

According to the PIO, the monitoring system will also be integrated with early-warning and alarm mechanisms to enable the quick dissemination of critical information during heavy rains and potential flooding.

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“This initiative forms part of the local government’s continuing commitment to disaster resilience, public safety, and proactive risk reduction measures for every Taytayeño,” the PIO added./coa