Jamaine Punzalan

Isko Moreno Domagoso, March 8, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — On his first day back as Manila&#x27;s mayor, Francisco &quot;Isko&quot; Moreno Domagoso declared on Monday a garbage crisis due to alleged issues on payment for waste collectors.</p><p>Domagoso noted that the capital produces over 2,000 metric tons of garbage daily. He said delays in collection over recent days have led to mounting waste in streets, waterways, and residential areas.</p><p>“Masakit sa mata, masakit sa ilong, mapanakit sa kalusugan ang ating sitwasyon patungkol sa basura,” he said on Facebook Live.</p><p>“Pumanatag kayo, may gobyerno na po sa Maynila,” he told residents. “We will not point fingers. We will act on the matter. We will confront this problem head-on.”</p><p>He said he had tapped Manila&#x27;s previous waste collector Leonel Waste Management Corp. to return and begin hauling garbage across Manila without charge.</p><p>The mayor also ordered the city&#x27;s Department of Public Services (DPS), Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) to join the effort.</p><p>He told the city&#x27;s over 800 barangay officials to lead cleanup operations in their communities.</p><p>“Talikuran niyo na ang pulitika. Panahon na para tugunan niyo ang sinumpaan niyong tungkulin sa mamamayan, hindi sa pulitiko,” he said.</p><p>The returning mayor asked residents to wait for the streets to be cleaned up before dumping their waste.</p><p>“Kung kinakailangan ipa-delay nang konti... iloob niyo muna sa inyong tahanan ang inyong basura habang kinokolekta ang basura sa kalsada, until we normalize the collection of garbage,” he said.</p><p>Leonel halted operations in 2024 due to the previous administration&#x27;s alleged failure to pay eight months worth of services amounting to P560 million. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/8/manila-mayor-admits-unpaid-fees-to-garbage-firm-refuses-to-call-it-debt-1506">Manila mayor admits unpaid fees to garbage firm, refuses to call it &#x27;debt&#x27;</a></div><p>In January 2025, then Manila mayor Honey Lacuna said the city was already processing Leonel’s payment but this could be jeopardized “as it abandoned its duty to collect the city’s waste.” Leonel denied the allegations. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/7/manila-mayor-denies-p500m-debt-to-garbage-firm-0858">Manila mayor denies P500M debt to garbage firm</a></div><p>To replace Leonel, the city contracted MetroWaste Solid Waste Management Corporation and Phil. Ecology Systems Corp.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/30/manila-strikes-p842-7-m-deal-with-new-waste-collectors-1111">Manila strikes P842.7-M deal with new waste collectors</a></div><p>But Domagoso said both companies also struggled to keep operations running after experiencing severe delays in payment, receiving compensation only in January 2025. </p><p>Lacuna has yet to respond to ABS-CBN News&#x27; request for comment. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/5/uncollected-post-holiday-trash-causes-a-stink-in-manila-1223">Uncollected post-holiday trash causes a stink in Manila</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XxFleoTW7k0?si=M7Y-yo1l98TfcnJQ" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" spellcheck="false"></iframe><br/></div>

<p>On his first day back as Manila's mayor, Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso declared on Monday a garbage crisis. </p>

On his first day back as Manila's mayor, Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso declared on Monday a garbage crisis.

Isko declares garbage crisis in Manila

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Isko declares garbage crisis in Manila

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 30, 2025 05:19 PM PHT

Read More:

Manila

Isko Moreno

Honey Lacuna

Waste

Leonel

ABSnews

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.