Manila's Mayor Faces Garbage Crisis upon Return to Office

Francisco Domagoso has returned to his role as Manila's mayor amidst a growing garbage crisis, prompting him to declare a state of emergency. He cites debts left by the previous administration and urges residents to temporarily store waste at home until collections resume.

As Manila's Mayor Francisco Domagoso resumes his duties, he is confronted with an alarming sanitation crisis that has marred the Philippine capital. The mayor was informed that garbage collection companies halted their services that same day, citing a significant backlog of unpaid bills. This disruption had led to notable piles of refuse accumulating in various neighborhoods, rendering some roads impassable and causing significant concern among residents.

Recent weeks saw a troubling increase in litter across Manila, congesting busy commercial districts and the thoroughfares leading to significant government buildings. In some parts of the city, streets became submerged in monsoon flooding, with detritus floating alongside stagnant water, exacerbating an already dire public health situation. The community has endured the pervasive stench of decaying waste, worsened by the warm and humid climate, impacting nearly two million residents.

In a public livestream addressing the crisis, Domagoso urged residents to store their garbage at home until normal collection was reinstated, lamenting that the absence of timely waste disposal was "painful to the eyes, nose, and public health." The mayor subsequently declared a state of emergency for the city, signaling an urgent need for intervention.

Domagoso, who has a personal history as a former garbage collector and a career in acting, pointed fingers at his predecessor, Honey Lacuna, accusing her administration of financial mismanagement that led to the city's current predicament with waste management contracts. As he prepared to address the City Council regarding the issue, the mayor underscored the gravity of the situation facing Manila, echoing a call for decisive action to rectify the unfolding waste crisis.