Upang maging matagumpay ang isinasagawang rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay, kinakailangan na palakasin ang pagpapatupad ng solid waste management program, higpitan ang pagbabantay sa mga pabrikang nagtatapon ng dumi sa tubig at ang pagkakaroon ng reforestation ng watershed at mangrove areas.

Ito ang lumabas sa isinagawang vulnerability assessment study sa Manila Bay rehabilitation na pinangasiwaan ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Ayon kay DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, sa pamamagitan ng isinagawang pag-aaral ay madaling matutukoy ng gobyerno at ng iba pang stakeholders ang mga dapat tutukan sa isinasagawang rehabilitasyon.

Aniya, sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral na ito na pinangunahan ng Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) ng DENR, agad na matutukoy kung ano ang mga dapat gawin para sa rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay.

“We at the DENR believe that by investing in studies such as this, we would be able to find better solutions in solving not only the problem in Manila Bay, but also other issues within our mandate,” sabi pa ni Cimatu.

Ibinahagi ni ERDB supervising science research specialist Jose Isidro Michael Padin ang resulta ng Manila Bay Vulnerability Assessment sa ginanap na kauna-unahang Annual Technical Seminar ng ahensya na idinaos noong Hunyo 17.

Ayon kay Padin na naging tagapagsalita ng kanilang team leader na si Dr. Carmelita Villamor, kinakailangang magkaroon ng mas maraming materials recovery facilities (MRFs) sa tatlong rehiyon na nakakasakop sa Manila Bay para sa tamang pagtatapon ng basura.

“Government agencies must uphold stricter implementation of solid waste management programs not just in the coastal areas of the bay, but for the entire Manila Bay watershed as there is little or no active public participation in source reduction and segregation activities among local government units,” pagdidiin pa ni Padin.

Aniya, kinakailangang palaging bantayan ang mga industrial and commercial establishments upang matiyak na sumusunod ang mga ito sa umiiral na batas tungkol sa tamang pagtatapon ng basura.

Sinabi pa ni Padin na kailangang tutukan ang natitirang ecosystems partikular ang sa kanlurang bahagi ng Manila Bay sa pamamagitan ng reforestation.

“Reforestation of abandoned fishponds and sparsely vegetated mangrove forest can be done, alongside proper maintenance and protection of remaining mangrove stands,” sabi ni ni Padin.

“Reforestation alongside infrastructure development for disaster risk reduction and management is needed to protect the climate vulnerable communities from flooding and storm surges,” dagdag pa nito.

Kumakailan ay natuklasan ng ERDB na karamihan sa coral ecosystems sa Manila Bay region ay buhay pa sa kabila ng environmental and human pressures.

Karamihan sa natagpuang coral ay nasa Maragondon at Ternate sa Cavite at sa mga isla ng Corregidor at Caballo.

Sinabi pa ni Cimatu, malaki ang pag-asa na maibalik sa dati ang ganda at linis ng Manila Bay dahil sa natuklasang live coral cover.

Dahil dito, lalong nagkaroon ng dahilan ang gobyerno at ang mga stakeholders na ipagpatuloy ang isinasagawang rehabilitasyon. ###

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Published: 25 June 2019

Hiniling ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sa mga residente ng Metro Manila na patuloy na magtipid sa paggamit ng tubig kahit na nagsimula na ang rainy season upang maiwasan ang patuloy na pagbaba ng level ng tubig sa Angat Dam.

“Angat Dam can still benefit from the rains falling outside its watershed if these are collected for non-essential uses such as for car washing and flushing of toilets,” sabi ni DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.
Ang panawagang ito ng DENR ay dahil na rin sa kakulangan ng ulan na nararanasan sa 62,300-hectare Angat Watershed Reservation bagama’t nakararanas na ng malalakas na buhos na ulan ang mga naninirahan sa Metro Manila.

Ayon kay Cimatu, sa simpleng pagtitipid ng tubig ay malaki na ang maitutulong upang mabawasan ang demand sa tubig na kinukuha sa Angat Dam. Ang tubig sa Angat Dam, na siyang nagsusuplay sa 96 percent ng mga residente sa
Metro Manila, ay nagmumula sa watershed’s river basin sa mga lugar ng Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray at San Jose del Monte sa Bulacan.

“We can reduce water wastage by using only what is required. We can also collect and reuse rainwater,” dagdag pa ni Cimatu. Aniya, ang kakulangan ng ulan sa Angat watershed ay dahil na rin sa “monsoon breaks” na base na rin sa paliwanag ng PAGASA ay ang hindi pag-ulan ng ilang araw o linggo dahil na rin sa nagbabagong klima.

Hinikayat din ng DENR chief ang mga local government units (LGUs) sa Metro Manila na magpasa ng ordinansa sa kanilang lugar na nag-aatas sa mga residente na patuloy na magtipid ng tubig. “It is high time  that the LGUs pass ordinances geared at water conservation to prevent the water problem from worsening,” sabi pa ni Cimatu.

Aniya, malaki ang positibong epekto ng ganitong ordinansa sa water at food security na isinusulong ng mga national agencies tulad ng DENR, Department of Agriculture (DA), National Water Resources Board (NWRB) at National Irrigation Authority (NIA). “The LGUs have proven themselves how pivotal they are to the success of national environmental programs like the Boracay and Manila Bay rehabilitation,” dagdag ng kalihim.

Aniya pa: “They (LGUs) are again being called upon to take the challenge to lead their constituents practice water conservation. We should all do our part.” Noong Martes (Hunyo 18) ay umabot na sa 161.76 meters ang tubig sa Angat Dam, lampas na lamang ito ng 1.76 meters para sa 160-meter critical level para sa ating domestic water supply.

Huling naranasan ang pagbaba sa 160-meter mark ng tubig sa Angat Dam noong 2010 kung saan ay pumalo sa 157.57 meters ang water level dahilan upang humina ang supply ng tubig sa mga kabahayan. Sa ginanap na press briefing noong Lunes (Hunyo 17), sinabi ni NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David na ilalagay nila ang dam sa Low Level Outlet (LLO) mode sakaling umabot na sa 160-meter mark ang tubig na nangangahulungan ng pagbubukas ng bottom channel ng dam.

Sinabi pa nito, nagsagawa na rin ng pag-aaral kung saan ay magagawang linisin sa pamamagitan ng “treatment” ng dalawang water concessioners na Maynilad at Manila Water  ang tubig kapag inilagay sa LLO mode ang dam kaya’t ligtas pa rin itong magagamit ng publiko. ###

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Published: 20 June 2019

Despite the onset of the rainy season, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging Metro Manila residents to continue observing water conservation measures and recycle rain showers to help prevent further decline of the water level in Angat Dam.

“Angat Dam can still benefit from the rains falling outside its watershed if these are collected for non-essential uses such as for carwashing and flushing of toilets,” DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said.

The DENR made the call amid insufficient rain over the 62,300-hectare Angat Watershed Reservation as heavy rainfall have been observed in many parts of Metro Manila.

According to Cimatu, simple water conservation measures could help lessen the demand for Angat Dam’s water in the millions of liters.

The water in Angat Dam, which supplies 96 percent of Metro Manila’s tap water needs for its 12.8 million residents, comes from the watershed’s river basin that straddles the towns of Dona Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.

“We can reduce water wastage by using only what is required. We can also collect and reuse rainwater,” Cimatu said.

Cimatu noted that the insufficient rainfall over Angat watershed is compounded by the “monsoon breaks” which PAGASA explained is a shift between weather systems that result in short breaks to no rainfall for several days or weeks.

The environment chief likewise called on local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to prioritize the passing of an ordinance directing their constituents to observe water conservation practices.

“It is high time that the LGUs pass ordinances geared at water conservation to prevent the water problem from worsening,” Cimatu said.

He explained that these ordinances would have “immediate positive effect” to the water and food security being pushed at the national level by agencies like the DENR, the Department of Agriculture, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the National Irrigation Authority.

“The LGUs have proven themselves how pivotal they are to the success of national environmental programs like the Boracay and Manila Bay rehabilitation,” Cimatu said.

He added: “They (LGUs) are again being called upon to take the challenge to lead their constituents practice water conservation. We should all do our part.”

As of Tuesday (June 18), the water level of Angat Dam has further declined to 161.76 meters, which is just 1.76 meters short of its 160-meter critical level for domestic water supply.

The last time that the 160-meter mark was breached was in 2010 when the water level dipped to 157.57 meters which resulted in water rationing.

In a press briefing held Monday (June 17), NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David disclosed that they will put the dam on the Low Level Outlet (LLO) mode once the 160-meter mark is breached, which involves opening of the dam’s bottom channel.

David said test have been conducted for the turbidity of the water released from the LLO and that the results show the water quality is “manageable,” meaning its quality is fit for treatment by the two water concessioners, Maynilad and Manila Water. ###

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Published: 20 June 2019

At the moment, the Angat dam water level is at 161.78 meters as of 6 o’clock in the morning. It continuously declines despite the PAGASA pronouncement of the onset of rainy season. The dam elevation is projected to reach 160 meters in the next three days.

The TWG is proposing to reduce the allocation to MWSS from 46 cms to 40 cms starting June 19 to 21 to fine tune the preparation of the Low Level Outlet (LLO) as a back-up water discharge before the Angat dam level reaches 160 meters. This is to lessen the significant effect of limited water supply in the coming days.

PAGASA reiterated its forecast that a monsoon break is present in the country which lessens the chance of rainfall in the coming days. Earliest downpour is expected in the last week of June.

On June 22, assuming that the 160-meter level is breached based on the projection, another adjustment will be undertaken in the MWSS allocation because the auxiliary unit will be shut down. However, it is assured that at least 36 cms will be allocated to MWSS until the dam further declines to 150 meters assuming that there is no significant inflow.

This will considerably impact the normal delivery of services of both Metro Manila concessionaires, Maynilad and Manila Water, and the Bulacan concessionaire. Expect rotational water service interruptions which will be announced the soonest possible time.

We again appeal to the public to conserve water and hope for heavy rains to come in the Angat watershed area.

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Published: 18 June 2019

Dahil na rin sa mga matagumpay na proyekto ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) tulad ng rehabilitasyon ng Boracay at ng Manila Bay at angpagpapasauli ng basurasa Canada ay masayang ipinagdiwang ng kagawaran ang kanilang ika-32 taong anibersaryo nitong Biyernes (June 14) na pinangunahan ni Secretary Roy A, Cimatu na nagbigay ng pagkilala sa buong ahensiya.

“I am truly honored to receive kind words and praises from different sectors, my co-secretaries, industry partners and the public for what we have accomplished thus far,” sabi ni Cimatu sa kanyang mensahe sa pagdiriwang ng anibersaryo ng DENR na ginanap sa central office sa Quezon City.

Dagdag pa nito, “The honor is not mine alone, I share all the good words and praises with you my co-workers in the DENR. I am just your leader but the knowledge, the hard work and the perseverance are all from you. I draw my strength and confidence from all of you.”

Ayon kay Cimatu, naging makasaysayan ang pagdiriwang ngayong taon ng anibersaryo ng DENR dahil simula noong 1987 ay ngayon lamang nabigyan ng mabigat na responsibilidad ang kagawaran.

“The trust and confidence reposed in our competence by our President and nation is at an all-time high,” sabi pa ni Cimatu na personal na pinili ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte na pamunuanang inter-agency task force na nangasiwa sa rehabilitasyon ng Boracay at ang patuloy na paglilinis sa Manila Bay.

Matatandaan na naibalik ng DENR kasama angBoracay Inter-Agency Task Force at ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte ang ganda at linis ang Boracay sa loob lamang ng anim na buwan.

Dahil na rin sa ipinakitang dedikasyon ng DENR sa rehabilitasyon ng Boracay ay binigyan pa ito ng mas mabigat na responsibilidad ng pangulo, ito ay ang restorasyon ng Manila Bay na layuning maibalik sa linis ang tubig nito na maaring gamitin para sa swimming, boating, fishing at iba pang aktibidad sa tubig.

Sinabi pa ni Cimatu, bagama’t aabutin ng ilang taon bago maging matagumpay ang tinaguriang “Battle for Manila Bay” ay ipagpapatuloy ng kagawaran ang ginagawang rehabilitasyon ng naturang baybayin hanggang sa tuluyan itong maibalik sa dating ganda at linis.

Aniya, malaki na rin ang nakitang pagbabago ng publiko sa Manila Bay at ipagpapatuloy ng DENR ang kanilang nasimulang trabaho hanggang sa makamit nila ang magandang resulta.

“I firmly believe that the Battle for Manila Bay is indeed a winnable battle. We are on the right track,” sabi pa ni Cimatu kasabay ng pasasalamat sa mga major corporation na sumusuporta sa ginagawang rehabilitasyon.

Ilan sa mga korporasyon na ito na lumagda sa kasunduan sa DENR sa Adopt-An-Estero program ay ang San Miguel Corporation, SM Prime Holdings and ang Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

Kamakailan lang ay naatasan din ang DENR na makipagtulungan sa Canadian government upang masolusyunan ang problema tungkol sa mga basura na nagmula sa Canada may anim na taon na ang nakalilipas.

Aniya, hindi sumang-ayon ang Pilipinas sa kagustuhan ng Canadian government na ma-delay pa ang pagbalik ng mga basura sa kanilang bansa.

“The expenses for the shipping of the wastes were shouldered by the Canadian government. So that’s another feather in our cap,” sabi pa niCimatu.

Dagdag pa ng kalihim, sinimulan na rin ng Pilipinas ang bagong kabanata sa “biodiversity conservation” sa pamamagitan ng paglagda sa agreement sa Wildlife Reserves Singapore para mapangalagaan ang magkapares na Philippine Eagle na sina Geothermica at Sambisig.

Sa pamamagitan nito, matitiyak ang pangangalaga sa magkapares na agila na nanganganib nang maubos ang lahi.

Ayon kay Cimatu, nagging makatuparan ang proyektong ito dahil na rin sa masisipag, magagaling at matatalinong tao sa DENR family mula sa undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, directors, division chiefs hanggang sa ordinaryong empleyado.

“I congratulate and commend each and every one of you, for a job well done, and more jobs that will be done better. Let us take pride in being members of the DENR family,” ani pa nito.

Sinabi din ng environment chief, naabot ng mga opisyal at empleyado ng DENR ang ekspektasyon ng pangulo particular na ang pagbibigay ng proteksiyon sa biodiversity at marine ecosystems sa West Philippine Sea at Philippine Rise.

Ipinaalala din ni Cimatu ang pagkakaroon ng epektibong istratehiya at polisiya para mapangalagaan ang kalikasan at likas na yaman sa West Philippine Sea at Philippine Rise dahil na rin sa kinahaharap nating problema sa climate change. ###

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Published: 17 June 2019