Authorities block visitors from Baseco Beach due to coliform contamination

Authorities turned away would be visitors to Manila's Baseco Beach due to the high levels of fecal coliform, or bacteria from human waste,  at the beach.

"Eh di, wala tayong magagawa. Susunod sa batas. Uwi na lang, sa bahay na paliguan," said a visitor in Mark Salazar's Sunday "24 Oras Weekend" report.

(Nothing we can do about it. We'll follow the rules. We'll go home and cool off there.)

Clean-up crews from Manila's Public Order and Safety Department were the only people allowed at the beach.

"Hinihiwalay po namin yung black seaweed doon sa mga basura na plastic," said DPOS Team Leader Sheryl Reyes. "Sobrang dumi po ng ating karagatan."

(We're separating the black seaweed from the plastic garbage. The beach really filthy.)

Swimming along the Pasig River was also prohibited due to bacterial levels.

And given that the Pasig empties into Manila Bay, the Baseco Beach would not be opened to the public given the level of coliform contamination. — DVM, GMA Integrated News