Manila Bay cleanup under way Sunday
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 07:28:45 +0000
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Saturday appealed to the public for help as the cleanup of Manila Bay gets under way Sunday.
“This is a kick-off activity of our long term and massive rehabilitation to restore the beauty of the historic Manila Bay,” MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said.
At 6 a.m., participants will assemble at the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park in Manila for the solidarity walk to the Baywalk area.
Around 1,000 MMDA employees will join in the coastal cleanup on the bay area from the Manila Yacht Club to the US Embassy.
The activity also intends educate the public on the need to properly manage their garbage and avoid these from reaching Manila Bay.
According to Lim, there is a need to change the habit of people, especially informal settlers, who usually dispose of their garbage at waterways which contribute to the pollution of Manila Bay.
Solid Waste Management Office personnel will conduct house-to-house flyer distribution and short discussion with residents on waste segregation to minimize solid waste ending up at the Manila Bay.
“Simple segregation of garbage, when done habitually, can help rid of solid waste that goes to the estero and drainage system,” the MMDA chairman said.
The Department of Interior and Local Government compelled the local government units and barangays on the Manila Bay watershed area to conduct weekly cleanup drives to hasten the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año directed the concerned 178 LGUs and 5,714 barangays inside the Manila Bay watershed area to adhere to the instruction based on DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-09 stating them to “fulfill their roles and responsibilities pursuant to environmental laws that contribute to the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.”
He stressed the “order and resolve of President Rodrigo Duterte is crystal clear regarding the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay and the weekly cleanup will ensure that this directive is enforced.”
“The collective efforts and commitment of the LGUs and barangays within the Manila Bay watershed area would spell the difference in the rebirth and preservation of our Manila Bay,” Año said. (Jel Santos with reports from Chito A. Chavez)