MANILA — A total of 20 truckloads or 120 cubic meters of garbage were collected from the Tanque creek and the drainage system along the whole stretch of Tomas Morato St. in Quezon City, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Monday. Emma Quiambao, MMDA flood control head, said they conducted cleanup operations at the creek and sewers last week after heavy rains caused floods in the area. She said the garbage consisted mostly of plastic and styrofoam. Quiambao said they have been cleaning creeks in Metro Manila since February to prevent floods but they are having a hard time because of the presence of the informal settlers. She said that two weeks ago, MMDA personnel found huge chunks of solidified cooking oil in drainage systems near some restaurants along Tomas Morato St. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino has urged the management of the restaurants to have grease trap and proper disposal of their waste to prevent the clogging of sewers or face a fine of between PhP2,000 and PhP5,000 or even closure of their business establishments. Offenders should be wary of the penalties: First offense, warning; second offense, PhP2,000-PhP 5,000; third offense, PhP5,000 or higher and closure of the establishment. The used oil or grease coming from restaurants, food chains and other eateries is also one of the reasons why many parts of Metro Manila are flooded during heavy rains. The MMDA chief said that this has been the problem in the metropolis and he called on the local government officials for their support in the agency’s drive by conducting frequent random inspections on food establishments and chain of eateries in their respective areas to ensure that they comply with the requirement. The MMDA cleanup drive targets a total of 31 creeks in Metro Manila this year. Last year, the agency collected 1,159 truckloads or 7,550 cubic meters of garbage from 15 creeks in the metropolis. (PNA)