In brief
Mayor Francisco Domagoso returns to find the city in a trash turmoil, urging residents to hold waste until services resume.
In a dramatic return to office, Manila’s Mayor Francisco Domagoso, also known as Isko Moreno, faced heaps of uncollected garbage left by contractors halting their services over unpaid dues. This issue had worsened in the bustling city, turning streets into trash-laden obstacles, especially during monsoon rains. With the foul stench and elevated health risks impacting nearly two million residents, Domagoso implored citizens via livestream to contain their waste at home until collection is restored. The mayor attributed the chaos to debts accumulated under the previous administration, declaring a state of emergency to tackle this environmental crisis. Having previously worked as a garbage collector, he is determined to clean up the streets and restore order to the capital.
