DENR to lead ‘Bora-like’ rehab of Manila Bay

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday said it will lead the rehabilitation of Manila Bay starting Jan. 27 similar to the successful rehabilitation of Boracay to address mounting pollution on Manila’s popular coastline.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu described the Manila Bay a “magnified cesspool” because of the high coliform level of 330 million “most probable number” (MPN) per 100 milliliter, compared to the safe level of 100 MPN per 100 milliliter.

Manila Yacht club commodore Robert Joseph said it will support and take part in the massive cleanup of Manila by to bring the pristineand glory of the once popular “Manila Bay sunset”.

Manila Bay is not a tourist destination because more than half of the entire bay has floating garbage, mostly plastic, woods, Styrofoam and other waste materials are discriminately thrown by residents that lives along the rivers and esteros, according to the government.

Cimatu vowed to apply the same “political will” to Boracay in the rehabilitation of 19-kilometer long Manila Bay and make the waters fit for swimming, diving, and other forms of contact recreation.

The DENR said the government is considering the use of “special road funds” to finance the cleanup and rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

Earlier, Malacanang said it will use of the road users’ tax for government projects including the massive cleanup of Manila Bay and Pasig River.

“We need to confront difficulties in cleaning up the bay because of the informal residence and establishments along the bay. Discipline would play key role in making Manila Bay clean”, he said.

Cimatu cited Manila Zoo as one of the many establishments that do not have a sewage treatment plant that directly go to the Manila Bay.