Solons consider probe on Manila Bay pollution issues

Members of the House of Representatives' Committee on Metro Manila Development and other officials on Thursday conducted an ocular inspection along Manila Bay, which is set to undergo major rehabilitation.

"Nakita natin may mga violations na nangyari dyan. Tingnan natin 'yung mga requirements dyan like STP (sewerage treatment plant) kung compliant ba sila," Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said in Maki Pulido's report on GMA's 24 Oras.

The Committee plans to summon the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units in a hearing.

The legislators plan to investigate the presence of establishments that do not have sewerage treatment facilities or those that have inadequate treatment facilities.

"Under the law, wala pong negosyo na pwede itayo kung wala pong STP, 'pagkat kung wala eh obviously tatapon po rito ang basura. So very suspicious," House Committee chair Representative Winnie Castelo said.

The DENR is willing to cooperate with the committee, ensuring that those who irresponsibly issued compliance certificates to errant establishments will face sanctions.

A list of Manila Bay establishments that violate environmental laws will be released by the DENR in the following days.

Water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water will also be summoned to the committee hearing.

According to the report, only 14 percent of the houses and other establishments in their concession area are connected to the sewerage treatment plant.

"Sa billing po natin, 20 percent ang binabayaran po natin should be allotted doon sa filtration and cleanliness ng tubig po natin, which never happened," Castelo said.

He added that there are proposals in Congress to refund or suspend such fees that are being collected until sewerage treatment facilities are established.

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) regulator Patrick Ty, however, assured that the funds being collected by the two water concessionaires are being used appropriately as backed by the audit it has made.

"Mas mahal ang pag-treat ng dirty water kaysa pag-treat ng tubig para sa drinking water. Kaya po ngayon, ang nangyayari 'yung tubig natin na drinking water, 'yung tubig na nakukuha natin sa faucet, 'yun po ang nagsa-subsidize sa treatment ng sewerage," Ty said. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News