Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan dissuaded the public from swimming at the Baseco and Dolomite beaches.
"Sana po sa ating mga kababayan na init na init naman po ngayon, sana po naman ay 'wag nyo nang subukan pa na magtampisaw sa Dolomite at saka sa Baseco beach (Despite the hot weather, I hope our locals don't try to swim at Dolomite and Baseco beaches)," the mayor said on Thursday April 3.
She said the two beaches including the creeks in the city are contaminated with domestic and industrial wastes that can cause diseases.
She added that the water at Baseco beach contains high coliform that pose health hazards.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also declared the Dolomite Beach along Roxas Boulevard off limits for swimming.
Meanwhile, she urged the residents to use of the city’s public swimming pools, where they can take a dip to ease the summer heat.
The following public pools offer free admission to Manileños and will follow a first come, first served policy to avoid congestion:
- Patricia Sports Complex swimming pool in District 2, Tondo;
- Paraiso ng Kabataan swimming pool in District 3 in Santa Cruz;
- Arturo Tolentino swimming pool in District 4, Sampaloc;
- Tondo Sports Complex in District 1;
- Bagong Buhay swimming pool in District 5 in Paco and;
- JCC swimming pool in District 6 in Pandacan.
Lacuna-Pangan said the Tondo Sports Complex is still undergoing renovation, therefore it is temporarily closed to public.
She directed Manila Public Recreations Bureau Chief Roland Marino to spruce up the city's pools and their vicinities.
The city government said they are expecting a surge in the number of residents that will flock to the free pools as summer peaks.
The mayor also assigned life guards and life savers on standby to ensure the safety of the public who will use the pools.