Caloocan City woman, son go viral for throwing trash in flood

MANILA, Philippines — A 65-year-old woman and her 18-year-old son will have to undergo a seminar on taking care of the environment after they were seen in a viral video throwing garbage into the floodwaters in Caloocan City after a downpour on Tuesday.

Barangay 69 chairperson Jenette Manlapig yesterday ordered Ma. Elena Paras and Ian Paras to take the seminar with the city government’s environment management office rather than charge them with violating a city ordinance penalizing the improper disposal of garbage and Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Danilo Lim, however, said on his official Facebook page that the Parases will be held accountable for their actions.

He said the MMDA’s flood control projects are becoming worthless because of irresponsible people.

The viral video garnered over two million views and 53,000 shares on Facebook.

The mother and son have since apologized for the incident.