DENR: Fish pens, boats also sources of Manila Bay pollution

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said that fish pens in Manila Bay near Navotas and Bulacan as well as ships leaking oil into the water—all seen during an aerial inspection on Wednesday—contribute to the pollution in the harbor.

According to Maki Pulido's report on 24 Oras, a cellphone video during the DENR's aerial inspection showed that the fish pens scattered on the water have become another source of pollution due to the waste produced by the fishermen.

However, the exact number of fish pens scattered in Manila Bay has yet to be investigated.

"Meron diyan mga bahay bahay. May nakatira din diyan. 'Yun din ang tanong saan napupunta dumi niyan," DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said in a phone interview.

He also said that during the aerial inspection, ships docked at the pier were seen to spill oil into the bay.

DENR will look into how the ships process their waste disposal since a report has reached them saying that people have been throwing their trash directly into the sea.

"Magkakaroon ng consultation bago pa aksyunan ito talaga," said Antiporda.

The report also said that because people have been throwing trash in Manila Bay for decades now, authorities have to dig three meters deep before they can reach sand again.

The DENR has already announced that they will proceed with this operation using an amphibious excavator, and this Saturday will be the dry run for the dredging.

DENR has also been continuing the fight in closing down commercial establishments that directly dump waste water in Manila Bay.

Laguna Lake Development Authority has given a cease and desist order to over 16 establishments already but only closing of faucets and drainage have been done so far.

According to reports, only the city hall can cancel the business permits in order to fully close down the commercial establishments violating the law.

In Manila, the business permits of Makchang restaurant and D Circle Hotel in Ermita have fully been cancelled.

"Kaya natin  sila pinasara kasi on the basis of the report nung ating sanitation officers na meron silang mga violation ng environmental laws. Meron silang violation ng sanitation code, 'yung mga city ordinances on sanitary permit," said Jojo Alcovendaz, the Manila City Hall administrator.

GMA News went to Makchang Restaurant to get their statement but the owner was not present.

However, D Circle Hotel said that they still have guests and that they are already fixing the documents in order for them to become compliant.

The Aristocrat Restaurant along Roxas Boulevard, on the other hand, has already installed a modular sewerage treatment facility while they see to the other requirements.

City authorities have admitted that there have been a lot of establishments that need to be closed down already.

Over 11,000 families from 31 estuaries including those living in Baseco also have to relocated to reduce the pollution in Manila Bay. — Kaela Malig/BM, GMA News