The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is banking on the deployment of “estero rangers” to keep Manila Bay clean and free of garbage.
The rangers are currently deployed by the DENR-National Capital Region West Field Office (NCR-WFO) in the cities of Manila, San Juan, Pasay, Mandaluyong, and Makati.
DENR, the lead agency tasked to lead the rehabilitation of Manila Bay, steps up the campaign amid heavy downpour in most parts of Luzon in recent days that saw thrash being wiped atop the dolomite beach along Baywalk in Roxas Boulevard on Saturday and Sunday.
To recognize their effort, the DENR recently held a thanksgiving event for the rangers, as well as partners from the government sector, civil society and DENR field offices for their continuous support to rehabilitate Manila Bay.
The appreciation event held last July 14 was initiated by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, citing the invaluable contributions of “environmental frontliners” of the Manila Bay rehabilitation project.
“I commend all the estero rangers and partners for your unwavering sacrifices and hard work to clean up Manila Bay. I truly appreciate your efforts which resulted in the success of our program,” Cimatu said in a news statement.
A total of 73 estero rangers of the NCR-WFO attended the event and cleanup activity at the beach area of the Manila Baywalk.
The activity was organized by the DENR-Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service led by Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Undersecretary Benny D. Antiporda.
Present during the event were representatives from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Services-Manila, Career Executive Service Board, and DENR personnel from the NCR-WFO, Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO), and Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan.
The said event is just one of the thanksgiving activities lined up by the DENR for its partners that are involved in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
“The arduous task to bring back the glory of Manila Bay is a collective effort, and I’m truly grateful to our partners for remaining steadfast in our work. This rehabilitation will not only be beneficial to us but for the next generations,” Cimatu added.
Data from the MBCO revealed that a total of 14,701.60 cubic meters of solid waste have been collected by DENR and MMDA from January to March 2021.
The retrieval of garbage was done through various cleanup activities in Manila Bay and connecting waterways and rivers with the use of trash traps, trash boats, and collection done by volunteers and estero rangers.
In preparation for the southwest monsoon or “habagat” season in the country, DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan has deployed 50 estero rangers in the Manila Baywalk area and 10 marshals.
They have so far retrieved 5,131 sacks of solid waste and 408 wood and bamboo poles from June 23 to July 14.
Based on the DENR’s monitoring, eight out of the nine monitoring stations along the Manila Baywalk has registered lower fecal coliform levels.
The most significant decrease was noted in Padre Faura Station with a fecal coliform level of 7.61 million in 2019 to 3,300 in March 2021.
MMDA chief presses police action vs ‘litterbugs’
The MMDA, meanwhile, has sought the assistance of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for policemen to arrest individuals who throw garbage in Manila Bay.
“I’ve already talked to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año on this matter. Those apprehended would be obliged to clean Manila Bay,” MMDA Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr said on Monday as he personally supervised the agency’s cleanup operations at Manila Bay after monsoon rains brought heaps of trash to the bay.
At least 70 personnel from MMDA Metro Parkways Clearing Group were deployed to undertake a clean up.
According to Abalos, two truckloads of garbage were collected in the area on Sunday, or about 40 cubic meters.
Among the trash seen from bay’s shoreline were plastic bottles, pieces of styrofoam and other debris.
“Plastics are the most common trash found in Manila Bay. Undisputedly, it negatively affects the environment,” Abalos pointed out.
Moreover, Abalos appealed to the public to avoid throwing discards anywhere.
“Let us start a move right now. Behavioral change among Filipinos is key to address plastic waste problem in Manila Bay. Stop the habit of indiscriminate dumping not only in Manila Bay, but also on different waterways in the metropolis,” Abalos said.
The MMDA chief also expressed his gratitude DENR personnel and the City Government of Manila for their clean up initiatives in Manila Bay.
Flooding
On Sunday, the MMDA has raised the alarm over trash, which clogged pumping stations and drainages that cause flooding in the metropolis following heavy rains.
“It will be a never-ending cycle. People throw garbage, and then we conduct cleanup operations. It’s time we break the cycle. Let us exercise discipline in managing our trash properly,” said Abalos after high volume of garbage was seen during a recent inspection at the San Andres Pumping Station in Manila City.
Abalos was joined by MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office Director Baltazar Melgar, and Department of Public Works and Highways official Mike Bagon.
He said garbage deliberately thrown on the streets end up clogging canals, drainage systems, waterways and eventually pumping stations, citing “if machineries of pumping stations are clogged, how can they work properly?”
With Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco