When in Manila, you probably have noticed how the streets get easily flooded nowadays. Think about its dire consequences: suspension of classes, work delayed, people stranded somewhere, vehicles stalled, and so much more. See what happened to our country during Typhoon Kabayan. The cause? You should know it by now! It’s our lack of self-discipline. Some people would rather throw their trash someplace to their convenience. Others can’t even throw their trash properly even if the bin’s just a few feet away. And here we are, complaining endlessly about the flood problem when we ourselves are actually culprits in denial.
Do you know that we have an “Anti-Littering Law” here in the Philippines? MMDA Regulation No. 96-009, otherwise known as the “Anti-Littering Law” states "PROHIBITING LITTERING/DUMPING/THROWING OF GARBAGE, RUBBISH OR ANY KIND OF WASTE IN OPEN OR PUBLIC PLACES, AND REQUIRING ALL OWNER’S, LESSEES, OCCUPANTS OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WHETHER PRIVATE OR PUBLIC TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE CLEANLINESS OF THEIR FRONTAGE AND IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF". This law, enacted in 1996, was amended on 1999 as MMDA Regulation No. 99-006.
(Photo Credit: Mike Alquinto/AP)
Some of you may be thinking “So what? I don’t get caught throwing trash in public anyway.” Shame on you! You’re way past pre-school, right? Even kids should learn how to throw their trash properly at a very young age.
Acts Violating the Anti-Littering Law
- Littering, Illegal dumping, Illegal disposal of garbage;
- Urinating, defecating, spitting in a public place;
- Dirty frontage and immediate surroundings for establishment owners;
- Improper and untimely stacking of garbage outside residence or establishment;
- Obstruction (any dilapidated appliance, vehicle, and etc., display of merchandise, illegal structure along sidewalk);
- Dirty public utility vehicles, or no trash can or receptacle;
- Spilling, scattering, littering of wastes by public utility vehicles; and
- Illegal posting or installed signage, billboards, posters, streamers and movie ads., etc.
(Source: MMDA.gov.ph)
As a commuter in Metro Manila, I’ve seen people violating these rules over and over again like it’s human nature. I’m not washing my hands clean on this issue though. I admit not so long ago, I had been one of those violators too. But with the climate change, worsening state of environment and all, I just felt the NEED to change my old habits. It doesn’t take too much effort anyway.
(Photo credit: Agencies/Chinadaily.com)
I wouldn’t mind keeping a candy wrapper on my pocket until I find the nearest trash can. Or wrapping my trash properly so that it wouldn’t scatter until the garbage collectors come and pick it up. I even learned to segregate our garbage (seriously) upon residing in QC. These may just be little things but I know they matter A LOT.
Now I want to ask you, what have you done to help alleviate the flooding problem in your area?
For more details about the MMDA Anti-Littering Law, click here
