The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday reported it was able to remove up to 138 tons of garbage in Manila Bay.
The cleanup operation, according to MMDA chief Romando Artes, was conducted between July 1 and Aug. 5 and covered a wide range of waste materials that were washed ashore due to the heavy rains brought by typhoons and monsoons in recent weeks.
Majority of the collected garbage from the bay were bamboo poles and driftwood which had been carried by currents from nearby fish pens, water hyacinths, plastics, household waste, and sorts of garbage thrown indiscriminately into esteros and creeks, the official said.
Aside from hauling garbage, MMDA workers are focusing on cleaning major drainages to prevent garbage and silt from polluting the bay.
“While the men and women of MMDA are working hard to keep our environment clean, we should also do our part in being responsible in the environment,” said Artes in his appeal to the public.
The Manila Bay rehabilitation program was spearheaded by the Department of Environment, and National Resources, with MMDA, various government agencies, local government units, private groups, environmentalists and volunteers.
The Manila Bay cleanup organized by the MMDA had also registered at least 19,000 volunteers who joined the incessant clean-up activities in Manila Baywalk and Baseco.
Environmentalist group Greenpeace had described Manila Bay waters as the most polluted in the country, serving as a giant waste-dump for the metropolis.
Although a subject of a Writ of Continuing Mandamus issued by the Supreme Court in 2008, ordering various government agencies to help in its clean up, the bay’s condition remains largely unimproved, the group stated.
Greenpeace and scientists from the University of the Philippines had also called on the Philippine government to enact immediate measures to reverse the bay’s shocking decline.
Research shows that unprocessed waste ending up in the bay has resulted in high levels of fecal coliform and the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and excess feeds in its waters. This, along with other factors, have resulted in the degradation of Manila Bay and its coastal areas, resulting in an estimated P4 billion in damages yearly, mostly in fisheries, exports, and mortality costs due to waterborne diseases.
The MMDA stated that it’s important that “we all take responsibility for keeping our surroundings clean and free from pollution. Let’s work together to create a better environment for ourselves and future generations. Small actions like properly disposing of trash, using eco-friendly products, and conserving energy can go a long way in making a positive impact on the environment. Let’s all do our part in creating a cleaner and safer world for everyone to live in.”
“The people must practice throwing trash in the right place and recycle materials that can still be used. We should also avoid dumping waste materials anywhere that could end up in Manila Bay. Let’s work together to keep our environment clean and healthy,” it added.