The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has given out groceries in exchange for recyclable waste in Makati City as part of its flood management project in Metro Manila.

In a statement on Wednesday, the MMDA said it has brought its mobile material recovery facility (MMRF) during visits to Barangay San Isidro and Barangay Pio del Pilar in the city.

“The MMRF, dubbed as ‘Recyclable Mo, Palit Grocery Ko,’ allows residents to collect waste with equivalent points duly recorded in their Ecosavers Passbook and trade it into certain grocery items such as canned goods, instant noodles, and rice which can be redeemed during the MMRF Market Day,” the agency said.

In addition, it said residents were taught the Takakura home composting method — a community-based composting method that uses Japanese fermentation solutions.

The MMRF and the Takakura Composting, it said, are part of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project funded by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank.

The MMDA is tasked with minimizing solid waste in waterways especially in barangays located near pumping stations in Metro Manila.

MMDA Chair Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said these initiatives are mean to help the local government at the barangay level to lessen generated garbage that could end up in Metro Manila’s waterways.

He said the MMDA is also coordinating with other non-government organizations with similar waste management programs to boost its solid waste campaign and bring it to more barangays in Metro Manila.

“Through these partnerships, we provide residents more options and wider reach to recycle their waste, promote segregation, and exchange it into something that would benefit the community,” Abalos said.

In addition to community-based solutions on waste management, he said the MMDA continues to deploy trash traps in esteros and tributaries near its pumping stations to block the entry of garbage and prevent further damage to the facility caused by trash.

He also reminded the public to stop “indiscriminately” dumping waste on the streets and waterways of Metro Manila.

On June 28, Abalos inspected the Estero Tripa de Gallina pumping station at Tramo Bridge along Aurora Avenue to help prepare the facility for the rainy season.

He said that around two truckloads of garbage are hauled in the facility daily, while a total of 32 truckloads of trash are collected from all 57 pumping stations in Metro Manila. (PNA)