President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday that the government is considering a waste-to-energy project in the City of Manila as a pilot program to address waste management and flooding issues.

During a press conference in Malacañang, President Marcos said the waste-to-energy project could later be expanded to other urban areas, emphasizing the importance of proper waste disposal in ensuring that pumping stations function effectively and preventing urban flooding.

“We have a proposal for a waste-to-energy solution in the City of Manila. I think that will go on, but that’s only for Manila,” President Marcos said.

“Itutuloy natin, titingnan natin kung maganda ang lumabas doon. And if that’s the case, then that’s what we will do with other parts of at least Metro Manila sa una or the other urban areas na nababaha,” the President added.

President Marcos said the accumulation of garbage has clogged pumping stations, rendering them ineffective during heavy rains.

“Pag ‘yung basura naman ay natapon, nabara ‘yung bomba, nabara ‘yung estero, nabara lahat… wala rin silbi ‘yung pumping station,” said the President.

“It simply doesn’t work until we have a solution to the garbage problem,” the President stressed. | PND