The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has launched a campaign against litterbugs who dump their trash that usually clog Metro Manila's waterways and cause massive flooding during the rainy season. As the MMDA kicked off its massive clean-up drive in flood-prone areas, its chairman Francis Tolentino Sunday urged businessmen and the public to join the campaign to curb flooding in the metropolis when the rains come. Tolentino said MMDA men are coordinating with owners of business establishments and car dealers along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa), from Ortigas to Camp Crame, for the clean-up drive. “Every Metro Manilan can be a part of this effort, we can start by cleaning up the streets and not littering,” said Tolentino. The MMDA is training some 500 volunteers on how to respond to emergency situations during the floods. Group that support the MMDA include the Philippine College of Surgeons, which will give lectures on basic life support for the volunteers in the campaign billed “Oplan Unos.” The MMDA said it will enforce the Anti-Littering Law, which penalizes violators with fines ranging from P500 to P1,000. In case the violator could not afford to pay the fines, he has the option to render community service. – ABS
