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DENR-NCR redesigns strategy in shores, waterways clean-up amid pandemic
DENR-NCR redesigns strategy in shores, waterways clean-up amid pandemic
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) has been redesigning its strategy to continuously clean up the region's shores and waterways amid the mobility restrictions imposed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
"As we can no longer do clean ups the way we did during pre-COVID times, we need to carefully redesign our strategy of cleaning our shores and adapt to the 'new normal' as we also need to ensure that we do not compromise the health of our workers while they are out in the field," DENR-NCR Executive Director Jacqueline Caancan said in a social media post.
Although there are challenges, Caancan remains thankful that local government units (LGUs) have been active in cleaning up waterways within their jurisdictions.
"We have even received reports about river and estero cleanups conducted by barangays even during GCQ (general community quarantine)," she said.
The same can be said of the national government agencies, Caancan added.
She said that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways have been staunch partners of the DENR in coastal cleanups.
In 2019, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu launched the "Battle for Manila Bay," a multi-sectoral effort to clean and rehabilitate Manila Bay pursuant with the Writ of Continuing Mandamus issued by the Supreme Court.
Last Aug. 20, Caancan inspected the Manila Bay, particularly the entire stretch of the baywalk area, from the US Embassy to the Manila Yacht Club in Manila, and the back of the CCP Complex in Pasay City.
Accompanied by DENR-NCR assistant regional directors Al Orolfo and Ignacio Almira Jr., and Manila Bay Site Coordinating/Management Office focal person Haidee Pabalate, Caancan made the visit to verify reports of water hyacinths and other wastes slowly accumulating in the area.
While her visit confirmed the reports, she said the presence of garbage in the area is partly due to the rainy season and the southwest monsoon or "habagat" that is blowing the garbage into the area.