Flood of Trash Engulfs Manila Waterway After Storms

Crews in the Philippine capital waded knee-deep through

Crews in the Philippine capital waded knee-deep through a river swollen by days of torrential rain, hauling away a thick layer of garbage that had drifted in with the surge.

Images from the scene showed workers in rubber boots and gloves using long-handled nets and rakes to pull plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other debris from the murky water. The cleanup effort centered on a tributary of the Pasig River, where the downpours had carried refuse from nearby streets and informal settlements into the channel.

Local officials said the accumulation was unusually heavy, with the waste forming a near-solid carpet across the surface in places. The deluge, which began late last week, had triggered flash floods and forced the suspension of classes and work in some districts.

Environmental groups have long pointed to the river

Environmental groups have long pointed to the river system as a symbol of the country’s struggle with waste management, noting that much of the debris originates from upstream communities lacking regular collection services. The recent storm has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of anti-littering laws and investment in recycling infrastructure.

Despite the scale of the mess, the cleanup teams made steady progress through the day, loading the recovered material onto trucks for disposal. Authorities said they would continue monitoring the waterway as more rain was forecast in the coming days.

For residents living along the banks, the sight was all too familiar, though the sheer volume this time left many shaking their heads. One shopkeeper, watching from a doorway, said she hoped the attention would finally spur change, not just another temporary fix.