Residents of Manila assailed Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso over the Isko Moreno garbage fee hike and the city’s push for waste-to-energy incineration, calling the policies anti-poor and harmful to both residents and the environment.

Residents of Manila City, the Philippines’ capital, assailed Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso for implementing anti-poor waste policies, increasing garbage collection fees, and supporting waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration in the city. The Manila Anti-Incinerator Alliance said these waste policies are illegal and do not benefit the local economy, the residents, and the environment, and only waste companies stand to profit from these policies. 

A few weeks ago, the City of Manila issued Ordinance 9151, increasing the garbage fees for hauling of wastes generated by commercial and industrial sectors. The City’s decision to transport its waste to the New San Mateo Sanitary Landfill in Rizal was used to justify the fee hike.  

A concerned citizen shared, “Okay lang naman po mag-increase pero yung increase is 1200% for the whole year po. Mas mataas pa po garbage fee kaysa sa mismong permit. And paano po ba ito na-approve? Nagkaroon po ba ng consent or hearing sa mga SMEs? Kasi magrerenew na halos lahat ng business owners, gulantang lahat e.”

(“An increase would be acceptable if it were fair. But a 1200% increase in one year is excessive. The garbage fee is now higher than the business permit fee. How was this approved? Were there hearings? Was there consent from SMEs? Almost all business owners were caught off guard.”)

In a Supreme Court case, Ferrer Jr. vs. Quezon City, the court ruled that local government units are not allowed to impose a generic “garbage fee” with no clear computation, no segregation enforcement, and no demonstrated compliance with RA 9003.  Partido Lakas ng Masa – Urban Poor Committee said the mandatory segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and actual waste diversion programs (MRFs, recycling, composting are missing or are not implemented by the City of Manila, rendering the recent ordinance illegal. 

MAIA said Manila residents might have more garbage fee increases once the WTE plant starts burning 2,100 tons of mixed garbage daily, citing tremendous hauling requirements to collect from different points of Metro Manila just to feed the incinerator in Smokey Mountain.

“Instead of punishing the poor for a problem they did not create, the city must fully implement RA 9003, which lowers costs and protects livelihoods, especially those who are from the Smokey Mountain. The Manila LGU must stop pretending that this money-making scheme is the answer to its waste problem, despite clear evidence that full implementation of RA 9003 would solve it”, said Shey Levita, Campaigner for False Solutions of Ecowaste Coalition, co-convenor of MAIA.

Illegal demolitions ongoing

At the same time, illegal demolitions have taken place this afternoon in Smokey Mountain, reportedly enforced by security forces of RII-Builders, who also own the majority of Phileco, a waste management company proposing to operate a WTE plant.  “We condemn the illegal demolitions happening in Smokey Mountain for the proposed waste power plant. The  Presidential Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP) must take leadership to protect the urban poor from forced displacements executed by  RII Builders in the area,”  the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Manila  Chapter said. 

MAIA stormed the PCUP on November 27, 2025, to report illegal displacements without due process, consultation, or clear relocation plans.  A  Local Interagency Committee (LIAC) is tentatively slated for January 2026. 

Elena Plaza, President of Nagkakaisa at Nagdadamayang Marala Organization (NANAMOR), said, “Pagod na pagod na kami at inuubos na bago pa man magkaroon ng diskusyon at tunay na proseso. Hindi ito tama.” (“We are exhausted and wiped out even before any discussion and due process happens. This is not right.”)

Mariafe Hulipaz, President of Sama-sama para sa Maayos na Tahanan at Hanapbuhay (SMTH) said, “Bakit parang tapos na ang desisyon kahit walang malinaw na proseso? Kami ang nawawalan ng bahay at kabuhayan.” (“Why does it feel like the decision has already been made even without a clear process? We are the ones losing our homes and livelihoods.”)

Anora Madrid, Vice President of Samahan ng Magkakapitbahay sa Upper Smokey Mountan (SMUSM) also questioned, “Bakit laging ang mahihirap ang inuuna at isinasakripisyo? Para kanino ba talaga ang proyektong ito?” (“Why are the poor always the first to be sacrificed? Who is this project really for?”)

“All these illegal policies of imposing garbage fees and operating WTE incineration in Manila are not necessary if the City stops relying on direct waste hauling and disposal to landfills and prioritizes reducing waste at the source, segregation, and recycling. Manila will reap the shared environmental and social benefits of implementing the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, “ said Mayang Azurin, Deputy Director for Campaigns of Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific, co-convenor of MAIA. (PR) 

Text and photographs by Henrylito D. Tacio