DENR to include Central Luzon, Calabarzon in Manila Bay clean up

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that clean up efforts will also be carried out in Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions as part of the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay, which is scheduled to start this Sunday, January 27.

Undersecretary Benny Antiporda announced in a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Saturday that there will be clean up efforts in Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Bataan in Region III, and in Cavite in Region IV-A.

"Simultaneous po, sabay-sabay pong gagalaw lahat," Antiporda said.

The Environment undersecretary ensured a general work plan is in place with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other agencies involved.

Antiporda mentioned the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also expressed its support for the Manila Bay clean up.

"'Yun pong lahat ng ilog ay hinati-hati po 'yan, magkakaroon po ng section na kaniya-kaniya pong trabaho. 'Pag 'yung ilog diyan sa bandang itaas, kung 'yang section 1 ay hawak mo, susukatin bago makarating ng section ng 2 at malalaman po na may problema sa section 1 dahil mataas ang level bago dumating ng section 2. Ganyan po ang mangyayari sa lahat ng ilog patungong Manila Bay," Antiporda said.

"Lahat ng tributaries, creeks, rivers, lahat ho iyan ay i-a-address po ng inter-agency task force para linisin at masigurong hindi na madagdagan ng polusyon sa Manila Bay," he added.

As for the Manila Bay itself, Antiporda said the task force will first address the "billionaire's areas" which are so called due to its billions of bacteria or high number of coliform level.

The Environment undersecretary also said condominiums, hotels, restaurants and shopping centers found to be discharging their wastewater into Manila Bay will be issued notice of violations.

Antiporda cited a study by the Laguna Lake Development Authority that so far, about four to five establishments are found to be major contributors of pollution in Manila Bay. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News