AS the 2018-2019 sailing season got underway last weekend, newly installed Manila Yacht Club Commodore Robert “Bobby” Joseph talked of the need to raise awareness on the polluted water of Manila Bay.
Joseph said he will ask the Metro Manila Development Authority to initiate cleanup efforts in and around the MYC area.
He explained that one of two sewage pipes coming from nearby cities in Metro Manila drains in waters near the MYC clubhouse.
A full implementation of the environmental law that has already been in place for the last 10 years needs to be done, according to Joseph.
“We have enough environmental laws, the most complete environmental laws in the world. Unfortunately, it is not being implemented,” said Joseph after receiving the MYC flag during a turnover ceremony from Ildefonso Tronqued.
The festivities, which opened the 2018-2019 sailing season was later followed by the firing of the MYC cannon with guest of honor, Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto.
A parade of yachts later in the day then ensued.
The 68-year-old Joseph said he will also make an appeal to Manila Water and Maynilad, which supply clean water to the rest of the capital.
He will ask the two companies to release treated water into Manila Bay when it has already been filtered and cleaned up of impurities.
Recreational sailing activities are now currently going on at MYC, although the new MYC commodore said the present quality of water of Manila Bay has limited the number of sailing activities.
The more serious sailing events are now being held in Subic Bay.
Competitive sailing events are being scheduled though in the latter part of January 2019 to give way to their efforts to have cleanup activities around Manila Bay.