MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Monday the government is eyeing a waste-to-energy project in the City of Manila as a pilot program to tackle garbage disposal issues and reduce flooding.

Speaking at a Malacañang press conference, the President said the initiative—if proven effective—could be replicated in other parts of Metro Manila and other flood-prone urban areas.

“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,” 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 noted that garbage buildup has been blocking pumping stations and waterways, preventing them from functioning during heavy rains.

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

Marcos emphasized that resolving the garbage problem is essential for flood control systems to work.

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