DOH warns against swimming in Manila Bay

Department of Health (DOH) Spokesperson Undersecretary Eric Domingo on Monday warned the public against swimming in Manila Bay because the area is still unsafe and polluted waters despite undergoing a massive rehabilitation.

"Huling tingin kasi ng DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) eh napakataas pa po ng coliform level natin kaya talaga pong wina-warn natin at ina-advise natin ang ating mga kababayan, 'wag po munang mag-swimming dahil hindi pa po fit for human recreational use ang tubig sa Manila Bay," Domingo said in Dano Tingcungco's report on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

Before the launch of the Manila Bay rehabilitation, its waters have a high coliform level of 330 million MPN or most probable number per 100 milliliters. The safe level is 100 MPN per 100 ml.

According to the Manila Health Department, people may get skin diseases, gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A from swimming in and ingesting water from Manila Bay.

Some people, however, do not seem to mind the harmful effects as they plunged and swam across the stretch of Manila Bay dubbed as "Baseco Beach."

The city government of Manila, for its part, said they have long prohibited swimming in Manila Bay through an ordinance.

Manila City Administrator Jojo Alcovendaz said, "Sa totoo lang, mas malinis kasi parang wala tayong nakikitang debris o basura, pero 'pag chineck nito maski sa pag-aarala ng DENR, marumi pa rin po 'yung tubig ng Manila Bay. So health concern po 'yan." — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News