Manila is the Toxic Capital of the Philippines

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza said those words at the height of the Pandacan Oil Depot issue.
In that issue, Atienza’s rival, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, upheld the decision of the city council to keep the oil depot within the city after citing the economic benefits that the depot brings. Lim’s detractors, however, cited environmental concerns as the reasons why the oil depot should be shut down.
Atienza’s words are true. Manila is indeed the toxic capital of the country, not only because of the oil depot but also because the filth and trash that are present all throughout the city.
It is a shame that the capital of the Philippines is in this condition. The esteros and rivers are teeming with garbage and all of them stinks. The side streets are so filthy that it is disgusting to walk barefoot on it. The major highways are always congested with traffic so that the air quality in the city is poor.
Manila is a toxic city and for many years, the people are suffering from its filthy condition. Atienza’s words are correct and during his term, he tried his best to lessen up this problem when he was then the Mayor of Manila unlike Incumbent Manila Mayor Lim. Lim is at fault in letting Manila’s condition stay this way.