By Christine Fabro
Manila Bay recently posted its lowest fecal coliform level since the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) began rehabilitating the pollution-challenged water body.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said during an inspection at the Manila Bay Beach Nourishment Project on Wednesday (June 16) that the fecal coliform bacteria level in Manila Bay stands at 142 mpn/100ml (most probable number per 100 milliliters), down from its pre-rehab record of 7.21 million mpn/100ml in 2019.
According to the DENR, the standard fecal coliform level in Manila Bay should drop to 100 mpn/100ml for it to become safe for swimming.
Cimatu said the current problem lies in the volume of trash that settles near the U.S. Embassy, which he suspects comes from Cavite.
He urged DENR-Calabarzon to ramp up its clean-up efforts to curb water pollution in Manila Bay.
Coconut tree planting activity
Part of the government’s rehabilitation efforts for Manila Bay is the coconut planting activity at the Baywalk Area, Roxas Boulevard in Manila.
The DENR spearheaded this activity on Wednesday (June 16), and was joined by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, and Metro Manila Development Authority.
Sixty coconut trees were planted along the Manila Baywalk area, starting from the U.S. Embassy to Manila Yacht Club.
Last year, the DENR conducted a mangrove tree planting at Baseco Lagoon in Tondo, Manila as part of the Manila Bay rehabilitation program. – jlo
