The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stressed Sunday that the government is on the right track in the implementation of the Manila Bay rehabilitation project as evidenced by the accurate updates and recognition posted by the vloggers from Manila.
DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units (LGUs) Concerns Benny D. Antiporda said that the vloggers have been continuously producing positive "vlogs" or video blogs and sharing updates since the Manila Bay rehabilitation, dubbed as "Battle for Manila Bay," started in 2019.
"Most of their posts have been viewed by thousands of people, which have contributed in informing the public on the status of the historic bay. The vlogs about Manila Bay have proven that they are very effective in informing and educating the Filipinos," Antiporda said.
Antiporda also thanked Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso for his continuous support to the projects and programs of the DENR.
In a recent meeting with the Manila-based vloggers, Antiporda updated them on the DENR's accomplishments during the second year of the Manila Bay rehabilitation program.
These include the decrease in the bay's fecal coliform level, establishment of a solar-powered sewage treatment plant on Roxas Boulevard, and mangrove planting activity at the BASECO lagoon in Tondo, Manila.
Antiporda also announced that the Manila Bay beach rehabilitation project is already about 30 percent complete. Saying that the overlaying of crushed dolomite along the 500-meter coastline of Manila Bay will be done in one to two months.
He also clarified that no dolomite was washed out emphasizing that what occurred is the “wash-in’’ of black sand which has now been removed.
In the midst of numerous criticisms, Antiporda challenged the critics to just wait for the project to finish before passing on judgment.
According to Antiporday the project is “perfect’’ for the people based on their studies.
Aside from the Manila Bay rehabilitation, Antiporda said that the DENR is also undertaking programs on solid waste management “one of which is the turnover of composting machines to the local government units to convert food wastes into soil conditioners.’’
Antiporda revealed that the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau is also planning to seek assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) “to come up with guidelines on managing food wastes.’’