Although
Before the formal launching of theManila Bay rehabilitation program, DENR said it started identifying establishments that are non-compliant with environmental laws, particularly the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. "We will not only clean
The DENR's goal, he said, is to bring down the coliform level in allesterosto 100 most probable number(MPN) per 100 milliliters (ml). The agency had previously reported that the coliform level in
3 million percent over the standard. Malacaaanghas approved a budget for the rehabilitation program amounting to
This amount will cover cleanup of priority waterways, relocation of informal settler families (ISFs), and implementation of temporary sanitation facilities in ISF communities prior to relocation. According toCimatu, around
The remaining
It was in 2008 when the Supreme Court issued a mandamus directing the DENR and 12 other government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve
Class SB level classifies coastal and marine waters as safe for regular use by the public for activities such as bathing, swimming and skin diving. However, efforts of mandamus agencies to clean up the bay have not been visible or felt during the 10 years the high court directive has been in effect.
This prompted Cimatu to call on all government offices aroundManila Bay to ensure their compliance with the country's clean water and solid waste management laws in line with the rehabilitation of the heavily polluted bay. "Solid waste remains a huge problem in the country owing to non-segregation, rampant use of single-use plastic products and improper waste disposal," the official said.
He also said that government buildings should set a good example to commercial and residential establishments surrounding
The DENR chief also appealed to local government units (LGUs) to manage theirseptageby ensuring that all commercial and residential establishments in their areas are treating their wastewater prior to discharge to water bodies. He reminded them of their duty to implement environmental laws and to clear waterways of informal settlers who contribute to water pollution.
Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 provides that LGUs are primarily responsible for waste segregation and disposal. On Jan.
27, 2018, the program dubbed "Battle for
Aside from the DENR, other agencies that took part in the rehabilitation are the
Inc.,
, various local government units, non-government organizations and other stakeholders. And to speed up rehabilitation efforts,
Cimatu was designated as the task force chairperson, with Interior Secretary EduardoAaoand Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyatas vice chairs. Specifically, the DENR was tasked to strictly enforce Sections 16 and 19 of Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 on the conduct of containment, removal, andcleanupoperations, and the exercise or supervision and control on all aspects of water quality management in
Following the secretary's announcement, theLaguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), an attached agency of DENR, started issuing closure orders toestablishments found dumping untreated wastewater into Manila Bay andhave no proper wastewater facility. Improper wastewater disposal is a violation of RA 9275 and could be a ground for closure of the establishment and its wastewater facilities.
Violations include non-compliance with RA 9275, RA 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, and RA 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act. There were also businesses found operating with no Environmental Compliance Certificates in violation of Presidential Decree 1586 or the Environmental Impact Statement System.
A month after the rehabilitation program was launched, Cimatu issued a challenge to the 178 mayors of cities and municipalities surrounding the bay to do their share in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay by cleaning up rivers and estuaries leading to the heavily polluted water body.
It consists of 178 local government units and 17 major river systems. Bioremediation
Starting March, the DENR tookthe Manila Bay rehabilitation effort down to theesterosand rivers draining into the bay with simultaneous cleanup activities, including bioremediation, infrastructure improvement and other engineering interventions.
Bioremediation refers to the use of naturally occurring microorganisms or other forms of life to consume and break down environmental pollutants in order to clean up a polluted site. Cimatu also issued Memorandum Circular 2019-01 requiring all establishments within the Manila Bay region to connect to existing sewer lines or set up their own sewerage treatment plants to ensure that wastewater is properly collected and treated according to DENR standards.
The circular covers all government facilities, subdivisions, condominiums, commercial centers, hotels, sports and recreational facilities, hospitals, market places, public buildings, industrial complex and other similar establishments. The DENR commissioned avulnerability assessment for the Manila Bay rehabilitation project last June by the
The study revealed that anintensified solid waste management program, stricter monitoring of polluting industries, and reforestation of watershed and mangrove areas are necessary to ensure the success of efforts to rehabilitate the bay. Cimatu also took to task ISFs living along waterways by reminding them to avail themselves of the government's relocation program.
LastSept. 21, the DENR again launched anothermassive cleanup of Manila Bay,as the nation joined the rest of the world in observing the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2019. Established in 1986 by the
In a meeting with senior officials of the DENR in November,Cimatugave the go signal for the hiring of at least 2,000esterorangers who will help LGUs within and near Manila Bay to address indiscriminate waste disposal and improve garbage collection within their respective jurisdictions. Recent updates on the Manila Bay rehabilitation showed that there has been great improvement in the bay's water quality.
DENR said portions of Manila Bay, particularly in the Bataan and Cavite area, are now swimmable.
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