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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has reiterated its dedication to ongoing cleanup efforts in Manila Bay and its tributaries, aimed at reducing flooding caused by blocked waterways. Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu highlighted the agency's unwavering commitment to clearing esteros in Metro Manila, ensuring they remain free from waste that can obstruct rivers and river systems. He emphasized that these efforts are crucial for restoring the waterways' depth, which helps prevent overflows that could flood nearby communities and cause significant damage.
As of October 29, DENR's cleanup operations in the Manila Bay region have covered 51.88 kilometers of primary esteros, successfully removing 526,477.58 cubic meters of garbage and silt. These esteros, before draining into Manila Bay, flow through major river systems such as Pasig, San Juan, Las Piñas-Zapote, Taguig-Pateros, Parañaque, Marikina, and Navotas-Malabon.
The DENR regularly undertakes cleanup activities in the creeks leading to these rivers, which include clearing, desilting, grubbing, and removing submerged garbage. These initiatives have notably reduced the fecal coliform levels in the Manila Baywalk area, from 62,700 most probable number per 100 milliliters (mpn/100ml) in January 2019 to 9,200 mpn/100ml in September 2020.
Cimatu, who also chairs the Manila Bay Inter-Agency Task Force, stressed the importance of stakeholder cooperation in improving Manila Bay's water quality. He noted that the DENR has been working closely with local government units and has established partnerships with the private sector to support the task force's efforts.
Cimatu pointed out that keeping waterways free of garbage is vital for mitigating flooding, especially as climate change leads to more intense and frequent typhoons. In collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways, 78.34 percent or 656,180.72 cubic meters of the targeted 837,572.42 cubic meters of dredged materials have been removed from various creeks and rivers.