EVEN before the DENR notice, the GSIS has been conducting sewage water testing, says its president and chief executive officer Jesus Clint Aranas (inset). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Jesus Clint Aranas has assured the public that the state pension fund is doing all it can to help in the rehabilitation and clean-up of Manila Bay.

At the same time, Aranas said the GSIS has been taking taking steps to address a notice served it by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in line with the government’s environmental policies.

The GSIS head office is situated along Roxas Boulevard facing Manila Bay where the rehabilitation and clean-up works are being done.

“I was actually surprised when I came to know about the notice as we have been religiously monitoring our compliance with the guidelines of the Laguna Lake Development Authority by having our waste waters tested by an independent laboratory,” Aranas said.

“In fact, these self-monitoring tests have yielded negative results for pollution in the past three months,” he added.

The GSIS chief said they are now upgrading their sewage treatment plant into a more cost-efficient and low-maintenance system.

“As we speak, GSIS is finalizing the terms of reference to procure the upgrading of its sewage treatment plant that will blaze the trail in complying with the new water guidelines and general effluent standards of DENR,” Aranas said.

Moreover, he explained that GSIS is a staunch advocate of environmental protection as it was among its corporate social responsibility programs to participate in the coastal clean-up drive of Manila Bay every year.

Meanwhile, local government units (LGU) are throwing their full support to the Manila Bay clean-up as expressed during the last meeting of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) composed of the various mayors in the National Capital Region.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Danilo Lim said “local government units have big roles in the success of this undertaking” and that a resolution will be passed by the MMC to support efforts to “restore the bay’s beauty and bounty.”

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu sought the backing of the mayors following the issuance by the DENR of cease-and-desist orders against businesses found violating environmental laws in their respective jurisdictions.

According to Cimatu, the various LGU have the authority to issue suspension or cancellation of business permits of commercial establishments polluting the bay.

“We have to show that we are one in this effort,” Cimatu said as he asked mayors to order barangay captains to conduct regular clean-up activities on esteros and rivers connected to the bay.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año will discuss with the mayors the relocation of at least 220,000 illegal settler families residing along the Manila Bay.

The mayors had said earlier they would coordinate with the National Housing Authority and the DILG on the relocation of the informal settlers.

In attendance during the meeting were Mayors Edwin Olivarez, Parañaque City; John Reynald Tiangco, Navotas City; Rexlon Gatchalian, Valenzuela City; Imelda Aguilar, Las Pinas City; Robert Eusebio, Pasig City and Miguel Ponce III, Pateros.