House Committee on Metro Manila Development (CMMD) Chairperson and Caloocan City 3rd District Congressman Dean Asistio lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s exposé on the alleged irregularities involving flood control contractors and vowed to urgently conduct public hearing on the matter.

Cognizant of the exponential impacts of the recent floodings in Metro Manila affecting the lives and properties of over 14.7 million individuals, Congressman Asistio vowed to get to the very roots of the issue, suspecting some entities may be engaging in multiple contracts—or even monopolizing—either flood control or garbage collection projects in the region.

In a statement, Congressman Asistio iterated, “Bahay, buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan ang apektado ng mga matinding pagbaha at lalala pa ito dahil sa climate change. Ang matindi po rito, may ilan pang umano’y nagpapasasa dito. As the President already mentioned, we will ensure public accountability here.”

Asistio vowed that the CMMD will urgently conduct a public hearing on the matter with relevant agencies as soon as the committee’s majority members are elected in plenary and it is officially organized.

Asistio also echoed public’s frustration on Metro Manila’s worsening waste management and concurred with the President that entrenched corruption, and the absence of adequate waste-reduction technology remain the primary obstacles to achieving a cleaner and flood-resilient metropolis.

The CMMD Chair recognized the dire need for a whole of nation approach in addressing the problem, and in response to the President’s call for inclusive solutions, he encouraged local government units (LGUs) to consider monetizing garbage collection and segregation through an ordinance in identified residential areas, especially those near waterways and densely populated alleys.

“Everyone knows that garbage has been the major cause of floods in the Metro. One of the main issues here is the indiscriminate throwing of waste by undisciplined citizens. This is a behavioral issue, and one of the most effective ways to change behavior involves giving rewards instead of penalty.” Asistio said.

Asistio proposed that either the LGU or contracted garbage collectors would pay residents Php10 per kilo of segregated waste they turn in. He explained that this would not only involve citizens in waste management but also help them earn extra income while reducing government expenses for clearing blocked canals and rivers.

“Instead of the government spending huge sums to remove garbage clogging our waterways, we might as well allot part of that budget to the very people who can help solve and impacted by the problem—our citizens,” the lawmaker concluded.