Cigarette butts most commonly thrown trash on NCR streets –MMDA

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) — Cigarette butts were the leading trash that were commonly found on the streets of Metro Manila, with nearly 13,000 offenders recorded last year, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

In the 2023 Anti-Littering Apprehension report of MMDA on Thursday, 79% of the recorded offenders – or 12,918 individuals – were apprehended for throwing cigarette butts on the streets of the capital region.

Second on the list was paper with 9.4% or 1,524 offenders last year, followed by candy wrappers with 8.3% or 1,343 offenders, while the 2.4 % were attributed to other trash.

“Ang mga basurang ito ay bumabara sa drainage at daluyang tubig," the MMDA said. "Kaya maging responsableng mamamayan at magtapon lamang sa tamang lagayan."

[Translation: These trash are clogging our drainage and our water system. Let’s be responsible and throw our garbage in the right bins.]

The MMDA noted that littering in public is punishable with ₱500 to ₱1,000 fines and community service under the MMDA Regulation No. 96-009 or the Anti-Littering Law.