By Kenneth Marcos 
Before the sun rose over Barangay Amihan in Quezon City, volunteers and government workers were already standing along the banks of Buaya Creek. Armed with gloves, sacks, and tools, they carefully pulled plastic waste, debris, and other trash from the water. For residents living nearby, the effort brought hope that their community could be safer from flooding and pollution.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) – East, joined a large clean-up drive at Buaya Creek as part of a coordinated effort to improve urban waterways. The activity was led by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), with support from the Quezon City Government and the Department of Public Works and Highways – Quezon City Second District Engineering Office.
During the operation, Estero Rangers from MEO–East actively helped remove piles of solid waste that had built up along the creek. The collected trash included plastic packaging, discarded household materials, and other debris that had accumulated over time. These materials often block water flow and contribute to flooding during heavy rains.
Officials said the clean-up effort aims to reduce the risk of flooding and water pollution in the area, especially as the rainy season approaches. When waste clogs smaller waterways like creeks and esteros, water cannot flow freely. This causes water levels to rise quickly, leading to floods that affect nearby homes and streets.
Removing garbage from the creek also helps prevent contamination of water sources. When waste breaks down in waterways, it releases pollutants that can harm aquatic life and pose health risks to communities living close to these areas.
Environmental experts often compare small creeks and esteros to “capillaries” in the human body. Just as capillaries carry blood through smaller vessels, these tributaries carry water through urban drainage systems and eventually connect to larger rivers. When these smaller waterways become clogged or polluted, the problem spreads to larger river systems.
In Metro Manila, many creeks and esteros are linked to rivers that ultimately flow into Manila Bay. Because of this connection, pollution that begins in smaller waterways can travel downstream and affect coastal waters. This is one reason why government agencies have intensified clean-up activities in tributaries as part of the broader rehabilitation efforts for Manila Bay.
Studies on urban water management have shown that removing waste early from tributaries is more effective and less costly than waiting until pollution reaches major rivers or coastal areas. By addressing the problem upstream, authorities can prevent larger environmental damage and reduce the cost of major clean-up operations later on.
The clean-up drive at Buaya Creek highlights the importance of cooperation among national agencies and local governments. Through joint action by the MMDA, DPWH, and DENR’s MEO–East, the initiative demonstrates how coordinated efforts can produce real improvements in urban environmental management.
However, officials emphasize that maintaining clean waterways cannot rely on government action alone. Community participation remains essential. Proper waste disposal, reduced plastic use, and regular local clean-up activities can help prevent trash from reaching creeks and rivers in the first place.
For residents of Barangay Amihan, the clean-up drive is a reminder that protecting the environment starts at the community level. Keeping waterways free from garbage not only improves water quality but also helps create safer neighborhoods and a healthier city.
As Metro Manila continues its efforts to rehabilitate Manila Bay and protect urban waterways, initiatives like the Buaya Creek clean-up show that steady, collective action can lead to meaningful change.
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