Swimming ban at Baywalk area remains – Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard is still enforcing its swimming ban at the Manila Bay’s Baywalk area, its head said Thursday. Citing health risks posed by bathing in the Bay’s waters, PCG commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said he is still waiting for the results of the agency’s Marine Environment Protection Command water sampling test. "Habang wala pang malinaw na resulta ay pansamantalang ipagbabawal ang panliligo dito sa Baywalk Area [While waiting for results, swimming at the Baywalk Area is still temporarily prohibited]," Tamayo said in an interview on dzBB radio. Tamayo said that a test conducted by Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed that bathing at the Manila Bay’s Baywalk area may be hazardous to the public’s health. Earlier in March, the PCG had enforced a swimming ban on the area, saying that Manila Bay’s waters may cause diseases if people insist on swimming there. He added much of the water there could be contaminated with waste products from several establishments. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim had also prohibited swimming on the area earlier, upon the recommendation of the DOH. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV