3,810 tons of garbage collected from Manila Bay 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it collected more than 3,810 tons of garbage, water hyacinth and silt from the Manila Bay coastline and drainage system since the government started its rehabilitation program.

In the MMDA’s Manila Bay rehabilitation report, collected from Jan. 7 to Aug. 31 were:

• 2,639 cubic meters/749.72 tons of garbage from Manila Baywalk and other tributaries

• 2,594.34 cubic meters/737.12 tons of garbage and water hyacinth removed from Baseco beach area, lagoon, and aplaya

• 3,174.5 cubic meters/901.85 tons of water hyacinth/garbage from Pasig River and San Juan River area

• 5,005.5 cubic meters/1,422.17 tons of silt from esteros and drainage laterals discharging to Manila Bay

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said they expect to collect more garbage as piles of trash float at the Manila Bay brought by heavy rains the past few days.

“Garbage has accumulated in Manila Bay after the heavy rains but the rehabilitation of Manila Bay never stops. We are inviting more volunteers to help in our clean-up drive held every Saturday in the Baywalk and Baseco areas,” Lim said.

Majority of objects collected from the bay were bamboo poles and driftwood which had been carried by currents from nearby fish pens, water hyacinths, plastics, household waste, and sorts of garbage thrown indiscriminately into esteros and creeks.

Aside from hauling garbage, agency workers are focusing on cleaning major drainages, including Estero San Antonio de Abad, Tripa de Gallina, Padre Faura Drainage Main, Remedios Drainage Main, to prevent garbage and silt from polluting the bay.

“The government has still has a long way to go in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay but we are on the right track towards restoring the beauty and improve Manila Bay’s quality of water,” Lim said.

The Manila Bay rehabilitation program is spearheaded by the Department of Environment and National Resources, with MMDA, various government agencies, local government units, private groups, environmentalists and volunteers.

The Manila Bay clean-up organized by the MMDA had registered 18,457 volunteers who joined the incessant clean-up activities in Manila Baywalk and Baseco area from January to August, this year.