Drawn-out process With fecal coliform by the billions, it will take a lot of effort to clean up Manila Bay to a level approximating Boracay Island’s post-rehabilitation condition. BOB DUNGO Jr.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered local government units (LGU) whose jurisdictions contribute to the pollution of Manila Bay to help in its clean-up which the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is starting today.

Through Memorandum Circular 2019-09 dated 24 January but released to media yesterday, the DILG ordered 178 LGU and 5,714 barangays inside the Manila Bay Watershed Area to do their share in the bay’s rehabilitation.

“The collective efforts and commitment of the LGU and barangays within the Manila Bay Watershed Area would spell the difference in the rebirth and preservation of our bay,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

“Barangays are important partners of the national government in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay as specified under Republic Act 7160. That’s why we are expecting everyone to be a part of this move,” he added.

Año urged various LGU and barangays to seek the help of volunteers, non-government organizations and civil society organizations.

“As we all know, Manila Bay is polluted and partly, we have ourselves to blame. But it’s not too late, we can still make amends. Let’s join forces and help save the Manila Bay together,” he added.

The DENR said it will identify today the establishments that are the top polluters of the bay, whose water was tested to contain 330 million MPN (most probable number) per 100 milliliter compared to the safe standard for swimming which is 100MPN/100ml.