Handang-handa na ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) na simulan ang gagawing rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay sa darating na Linggo (Enero 27) upang maibalik ito sa dating ganda at linis.

Ang gagawing rehabilitasyon na tinawag ni DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu na “Battle for Manila Bay” ay sama-samang sisimulan ng mahigit sa limang libong katao mula nabanggit na ahensiya at sa labindalawa pang government agencies na naatasan ng Supreme Court (SC) para sa Manila Bay rehabilitation noong 2008.

“This is a battle that will be won not with force or arms but with the firm resolve to bring Manila Bay back to life,” sabi ni Cimatu.

Ayon pa sa dating hepe ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na ang Manila Bay at ang kalikasan ay hindi kailanman dapat pabayaan.

“With the commitment and determination of every Filipino to do his share in this rehabilitation effort, we have already won the battle for Manila Bay,” dagdag pa nito.

Pagkatapos ng launching, sisimulan na ang rehabilitation sa Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) at sa Marine Tree Park sa Navotas City na kapwa nasa National Capital Region (NCR).

Sa Region 3, magkakasabay din ang gagawing rehabilitasyon sa mga bayan ng Obando, Mariveles at Guagua na mga nasa probinsiya ng Bulacan, Bataan at Pampanga. Gagawin naman ang launching sa tulay ng Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) at ang paglilinis sa Talaba Dos sa Bacoor, Cavite.

Bukod sa DENR, kabilang sa mga ahensiyang makikibahagi sa rehabilitasyon ay ang Department of Tourism (DOT); Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Department of National Defense (DND) at Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Kasama rin dito ang Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission; Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, National Housing Authority, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Manila Water Company Inc.; Maynilad Water Services Inc.; local government units; non-government organizations at iba pang stakeholders.

Sinabi ni Cimatu na nagpapasalamat siya sa mga nabanggit na ahensiya ng gobyerno at iba pang stakeholders dahil sa ibinibigay na suporta ng mga ito para sa rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay.

Bukod sa rehabilitasyon, kasama rin sa proyektong ito ang relokasyon sa mga iskuwater na naninirahan sa gilid na Manila Bay at ang pagtupad ng mga establisiyamento sa Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 at iba pang environmental laws.

Sa paglulunsad ng Manila Bay rehabilitation ay sasabihin na rin ni Cimatu ang pangalan ng mga establisiyamentong hindi sumusunod sa clean water law.

“We will serve notices of violation to these establishments whose outfalls discharge untreated water to esteros, rivers and other tributaries that flow into Manila Bay,” sabi pa ni Cimatu.

Sisimulan ang programa sa Solidarity Walk bandang 7:00 ng umaga sa Quirino Grandstand hanggang bay walk area sa harapan ng Rajah Sulayman Park.

Pangungunahan din ni Cimatu ang “Pledge of Commitment” ng lahat ng stakeholders bilang pagdedeklara na sisimulan na ang Manila Bay rehabilitation.

Layunin ng DENR na maibaba ang coliform level ng tubig sa Manila Bay sa 270 most probable number (MPN) kada 100 milliliters (ml) at sa lahat ng esteros sa 100 mpn/100ml.

Kamakailan ay inaprubahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang Manila Bay rehabilitation na iminungkahi ng DENR at nabigyan ng budget allocation na P47 billion. ###

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Published: 25 January 2019

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assured that it is all systems go for the start of the Manila Bay rehabilitation on Sunday, January 27.

The rehabilitation, which DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu dubbed as the “Battle for Manila Bay,” will bring together more than 5,000 participants, mostly personnel from the DENR and 12 other government agencies tasked by the Supreme Court to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay in 2008.

“This is a battle that will be won not with force or arms but with the firm resolve to bring Manila Bay back to life,” Cimatu said.

The former Armed Forces chief said that Manila Bay, and the environment in general, “is not a lost cause.”

“With the commitment and determination of every Filipino to do his share in this rehabilitation effort, we have already won the battle for Manila Bay,” he added.

After the launch, simultaneous cleanup activities will be held at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area or LPPCHEA and the Marine Tree Park in Navotas in the National Capital Region.

In Region 3, the rehabilitation will be launched in the towns of Obando, Mariveles and Guagua in Bulacan, Bataan and Pampanga provinces, respectively. Meanwhile, a silt curtain will be laid out around a bridge along Manila-Cavite Expressway or CAVITEX, and a cleanup activity at Talaba Dos in Bacoor, Cavite.

Aside from the DENR, other agencies taking part in the rehabilitation are the Department of Tourism, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of National Defense, and Department of Science and Technology.

Also joining are the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, National Housing Authority, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Manila Water Company Inc., Maynilad Water Services Inc., various local government units, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders.

Cimatu said he was grateful for the overwhelming support given by these agencies and all stakeholders for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

He said the rehabilitation does not only involve cleanup, but also relocation of illegal settlers and ensuring compliance by establishments around Manila Bay to the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 and other environmental laws.

During the launch of the Manila Bay rehabilitation, Cimatu is expected to reveal the names of establishments initially found to be non-compliant with effluent standards under the country’s clean water law.

“We will serve notices of violation to these establishments whose outfalls discharge untreated water to esteros, rivers and other tributaries that flow into Manila Bay,” Cimatu said.

The launch will begin with a Solidarity Walk at 7am from the Quirino Grandstand to the baywalk area in front of the Rajah Sulayman Park.

Cimatu will lead the Pledge of Commitment by all stakeholders and declare the start of the Manila Bay rehabilitation.

The DENR aims to reduce the coliform level in Manila Bay to less than 270 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (ml) and in all esteros to 100 mpn/100ml.

Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the Manila Bay rehabilitation plan proposed by the DENR and gave a budget allocation of P42.95 billion for three years. ###

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Published: 25 January 2019

Nanawagan si Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu sa lahat ng tanggapan ng gobyerno na nakapaligid sa Manila Bay na maging modelo sa pamamagitan ng pagsunod sa clean water and solid waste management laws sa pagsisimula ng nalalapit na rehabilitasyon sa napakaruming tubig ng naturang karagatan.

Ayon kay Cimatu, nararapat lamang na tumutupad ang mga tanggapan ng gobyerno na nakapaligid sa Manila Bay at mga ilog na nakasanga dito sa Clean Water Act of 2004 at sa Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 upang gawin silang modelo ng mga commercial at residential establishments.

“Manila Bay is in critical condition and proper wastewater discharge and solid waste disposal play a key role to reviving it,” sabi pa ni Cimatu.

Ang pahayag na ito ni Cimatu ay patungkol sa gagawing rehabilitasyon ng DENR at iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno sa Manila Bay na sisimulan sa Enero 27 ng kasalukuyang taon.

Aniya, importante sa mga tanggapan ng gobyerno, partikular na ang mga nasa paligid ng Manila Bay na tiyaking konektado sila sa “sewer lines” o kaya naman ay may sarili silang sewage treatment plans para sa tamang wastewater disposal.

Pinaalalahanan din ng kalihim ang mga ito na ayusin ang kanilang mga basura upang hindi mapunta at maging basurahan ang mga karagatan.

Sabi pa ni Cimatu, malaking problema ng bansa ang solid waste dahil na rin sa hindi tamang segreasyon, walang humpay na paggamit ng “single-use plastic products at hindi tamang pagtatapon ng basura.

Sa darating na Enero 27 ay ihahayag na ng DENR ang mga establisiyamentong direktang nagtatapon ng kanilang wastewater sa Manila Bay, esteros at ilog na nakakonekta sa naturang dagat.

Ang mga establisiyamentong mapatutunayang lumalabag at bumabalewala sa environmental laws ay maaaring maipasara o kaya naman ay pagmultahin ng hanggang P200,000 kada araw.

“We will issue notices of violation to non-compliant establishments or we will shut them down,” babala pa ni Cimatu. “Until they comply, they cannot operate.”

Kinakailangan ding sumusunod ang mga establisiyamentong ito sa “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R) para sa tamang solid waste management.

“Segregation at source is a simple practice that, when done habitually, will rid not just Metro Manila but the entire country of solid waste that pollutes land, water and air,” pagdidiin ng kalihim.

Nanawagan din ang kalihim ng DENR sa lahat ng local government units na tiyakin na amg lahat ng commercial at residential establishments sa kanilang nasasakupan ay sumusunod sa tamang pagtatapon ng kanilang wastewater sa anumang daluyan ng tubig at higit sa lahat sinabi pa ni Cimatu na importante ang pagbibigay ng impormasyon sa mga residente kung ano ang kanilang responsibilidad upang malinis ang Manila Bay.

“With education, we can clean up Manila Bay, we can sustain it, and we can preserve the revived Manila Bay,” pagtatapos nito. ###

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Published: 21 January 2019

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has called on all government offices around the Manila Bay region to ensure their compliance with the country’s clean water and solid waste management laws in line with the upcoming rehabilitation of the heavily polluted water body.

Cimatu said that government buildings should set a good example to commercial and residential establishments surrounding Manila Bay and its tributaries in complying with environmental laws, particularly the Clean Water Act of 2004 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

“Manila Bay is in critical condition and proper wastewater discharge and solid waste disposal play a key role to reviving it,” Cimatu said.

The environment chief made the remarks as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government agencies are set to begin rehabilitation works at Manila Bay on January 27.

Cimatu said that it is important for government offices, particularly those in the Manila Bay area, to make sure they are connected to sewer lines or have their own sewage treatment plants for proper wastewater disposal.

He also reminded them to manage their solid waste to minimize garbage that end up in landfills or oceans.

Solid waste, he said, remains a huge problem in the country owing to non-segregation, rampant use of single-use plastic products and improper waste disposal.

Come January 27, the DENR will clamp down on all establishments discharging untreated wastewater either directly into the Manila Bay or into esteros and rivers leading to the bay.

Establishments found to be ignoring environmental laws could face closure or fine of up to P200,000 a day.

“We will issue notices of violation to non-compliant establishments or we will shut them down,” Cimatu warned. “Until they comply, they cannot operate.”

Cimatu also underscored the need for these establishments to “consciously practice” the 3Rs—reduce, reuse and recycle—for better solid waste management.

“Segregation at source is a simple practice that, when done habitually, will rid not just Metro Manila but the entire country of solid waste that pollutes land, water and air,” he pointed out.

The DENR chief also appealed to local government units to manage their septage by ensuring that all commercial and residential establishments in their areas are treating their wastewater prior to discharge to water bodies.

At the same time, Cimatu said it is also important to educate the residents on their responsibility to help clean up Manila Bay.

“With education, we can clean up Manila Bay, we can sustain it, and we can preserve the revived Manila Bay,” he said. ###

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Published: 21 January 2019

Tiniyak ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) na hindi magiging imposible ang gagawing paglilinis sa Manila Bay kung makikipagtulungan ang mamamayan sa rehabilitasyon nito.

Ayon kay DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, ang kakulangan ng disiplina ng mga Filipino ang dapat na tutukan upang maging matagumpay ang gagawing paglilinis sa Manila Bay.

“Iisa lang ang nakikita naming balakid: ang kakulangan ng disiplina ng taumbayan,” sabi pa ni Antiporda sa panayam. "Ang kailangan natin ay disiplina.”

Aniya, "We are not only cleaning up the bay. Nililigtas natin ang isang bagay na mamamatay dahil kung hindi ay mas maraming mamamatay na tao.”

Noong 2008 nang maglabas ng “mandamus” ang Supreme Court (SC) na nag-uutos sa DENR at 12 pang government agencies para linisin, i-rehabilitate at pangalagaan ang Manila Bay upang maibalik sa dati ang malinis nitong tubig na maaaring paliguan at iba pang gawain.

Nagtaka si Antiporda kung bakit hindi naging matagumpay ang pagsisikap ng mga naatasang ahensiya ng gobyerno mahigit sampung taon na ang nakalilipas mula ng ilabas ang kautusan ng SC.

Sinisi ng opisyal ang hindi maayos na koordinasyon ng bawat ahensiya kaya’t nabalewala ang kanilang pagsisikap na linisin ang Manila Bay.

Sa pagkakataong ito, tiniyak ni Antiporda na sa tulong at tamang koordinasyon ng iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno at sa pagbibigay na rin ng suporta ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na ipatupad ang batas upang sumunod ang mga local government units para sa environmental protection ay magiging maganda ang resulta ng gagawing rehabilitasyon sa Manila Bay.

Sabi pa nito, may mga plano na ang DENR upang mapadali ang gagawing paglilinis sa tubig ng Manila Bay.

Kasabay nito, nilinaw din ni Antiporda na ang pakay ng DENR sa Manila Bay ay linisin ito at pangalagaan ang karagatan at hindi ang tanggalan ng hanapbuhay ang mga residente sa paligid nito.

"Ang DENR ay hindi berdugo. We are here to prevent pollution from making it into the sea," dagdag pa ni Antiporda. ###

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Published: 19 January 2019