Manila, Aug. 23 -- Metro Manila does not face a garbage crisis but a crisis in improper waste disposal, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said as he called for a "culture of discipline" to prevent trash from clogging waterways and worsening floods.

Recto made the assessment after leading a meeting of key government agencies and local government representatives on Aug. 20 to accelerate clearing operations and pursue longer-term solutions to garbage and flooding.

"Lumalabas sa aming pagpupulong na walang garbage crisis sa Metro Manila, pero may krisis sa hindi wastong pagtatapon ng basura (Our meeting showed that there is no garbage crisis in Metro Manila, but there is a crisis in improper waste disposal)," Recto said in statement Sunday....