By Percy Roxas
The widespread flooding that inundated Olongapo City due to the recent onslaught of Super Typhoon “Egay” may have receded, but the immense trail of garbage it left at Subic Bay Freeport and nearby areas was feared also to have disastrous effects on the environment, public health, and local businesses.
In the aftermath of the Olongapo flooding, toxic debris ended up along the shoreline of the freeport, as seen in photos and videos shared by local residents and traders.
Piles of garbage were found scattered on beaches after the typhoon left on July 28.
Floods dragged live animals, like pigs, geese, and chickens, into the beach areas, forcing resort owners to immediately carry out a cleanup drive along the beachfront areas.
Moonbay Marina, a popular spot inside the freeport, was not spared. Freeport Insider reporters recorded photos and videos of garbage scattered in many parts of the area after the heavy rains.
Photos & Videos by Jennyrose Bitago
Sources from beach resorts described the garbage that ended up in their areas as “a big eyesore.” As soon as Egay exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, many locators immediately started a major cleanup.
“Mga ilang araw din naming nilinis ang mga basurang ito (It took us days to get rid of the garbage),” a Freeport Insider source said.
“The question is, does Olongapo have mitigation measures for this kind of situation? Do they have any contribution to the cleanup at all? Because the impact, especially in manpower and resources, is detrimental to locators in affected areas,” the source said. FREEPORT INSIDER
