Establishments violating environmental laws near Manila Bay already identified —DENR exec

The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already identified establishments that may be shut down for contributing to the pollution of the Manila Bay, which the government seeks to rehabilitate next after Boracay.

Interviewed on News To Go on Monday, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said these establishments may be ordered closed for violating the Clean Water Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

"Meron na po kaming identified na mga establishment na lumalabag sa ating Clean Water Act," Antiporda said.

"May balak po ang gobyerno na i-shutdown po ang mga establishment na lumalabag po sa Clean Water Act and of course [Ecological]  Solid Waste [Management] Act din po."

On Friday, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu inspected establishments around Manila Bay as well as the polluted estero that drains into the sea amid plans to rehabilitate Manila Bay.

According to Antiporda, they have tested the water of Manila Bay and found 330 million most probable number of coliform bacteria present.

"Ang acceptable po na tinatawag nating SB (swimmable) quality na kung saan pwede ho tayong madikitan ang ating balat, makapag-swimming po diyan eh 100 most probable number," he said.

He said clean-up drives are not enough to make the Manila Bay "swimmable."

Aside from closing the violating establishments, Antiporda said the DENR will also relocate illegal settlers living near the bay. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News