By: Froilan S. Hernandez Jr.- @TheCapitol_News The Capitol October 7, 2022
Manila, Philippines - Over 4,500 bags of waste have been collected in the cleanup of Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on September 17, in accordance with the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2022.
DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa stated that the majority of the collected garbage consisted of plastic wastes,marine debris,and dried water hyacinth.
With a theme “Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source,” the coastal cleanup drive for the 500-meter beach walk was participated by more than 4,000 volunteers.
“Volunteers from government, private organizations, and private individuals came to the Baywalk’s coastline with their own garbage bags as well,” de Villa said.
She added that the 3,000 garbage bags out of 4,500 are donated by the DENR Central office through the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO), and the remaining 1,500 sacks came from the DENR-National Capital Region, where DENR-MEO West is included.
National and local government agencies with collaboration to private organizations, such as Manila City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Maritime Group, and Philippine Coast Guard provided additional garbage bags for the event
According to the DENR, Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines also participated in the cleanup operation.
De Villa said that the image of Manila Baywalk shows the teamwork between different sectors to resolve the issues with marine litter through a series of cleanup drives.
“However big and daunting the task is, we can make a difference by bringing communities and people together to clean up beaches. Proof of this are organizations and individuals coming together at the Baywalk Dolomite Beach,” de Villa explained.
From July 12 to September 14 where a series of cleanup activities were done , a total of 147, 939 bags of solid waste have been obtained as reported by DENR-MEO-West. From that total, 83,109 bags are consisted of water hyacinth while 2,224 are come from marine debris.
Regular cleanup activities are part of the rehabilitation process of Manila Bay, as stated in the Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy that covers the year 2017 up to 2022, and Administrative Order No. 16 signed by President Duterte in February 2019.
Based on Philippine News Agency (PNA) report in 2020, the Manila Bay rehabilitation project by DENR also known as “Battle for Manila Bay” created controversies as the estimated budget for the entire operation is PHP 398 million, and around PHP 28 million is allotted for the dolomite cover. Many claims that the project is just a waste of government funds and will pose health hazards to the public.
DENR responded to the criticism and emphasized the importance of dolomite in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay as it will protect and nurture the coastal resources in the area.
Despite public backlash, the project has been approved by the government and started its operation in January 2019.
Related Video:
(This video is originally published by GMA News)
Keywords:
4,500
Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2022
Coastal cleanup drive
DENR
Manila Baywalk
Marine Litter
Manila Bay rehabilitation project by DENR
Battle for Manila Bay
Administrative Order No. 16
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