DENR, DILG, MMDA lead metro-wide clean-up of rivers, esteros

MANILA, Philippines— Authorities on Sunday led the simultaneous Metro Manila-wide cleaning of rivers, esteros or inlets and creeks connected to Manila Bay.

The metro-wide cleaning operations conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority are part of the government’s move and pledge to save and rehabilitate Manila Bay. The project is in line with the programs of various agencies dubbed “Battle for Manila Bay,” “Battle for Rivers and Esteros” and “MANILA BAYanihan para sa kalikasan.” 

WATCH: Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu leads the inspection of Estero de Tripa de Gallina in Pasay City | via Edd Gumban/ STAR pic.twitter.com/AxucVQGklR

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) March 31, 2019

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año and MMDA chair Danny Lim personally went to various rivers, inlets and creeks to inspect the areas and participate in the clean-up drive.

Thousands of volunteers from local government units, Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, barangay workers and private groups such as San Miguel Corporation and North Luzon Expressway also joined in the cleaning operations, according to a report of People’s Television Network and the DENR.

Among the rivers, inlets and creeks inspected and cleaned are the following:

• Estero de Magdalena - Manila

• Estero de San Lazaro - Manila

• Estero de Tripa de Gallina – Pasay City

• Paltok Creek

• Navotas River

• Tullahan River

• Tumana creek

• San Juan River System

"1,980 volunteers came forward, resulting in the cleanup of garbage with a total volume of 37,103 kilograms of garbage, collected in 5,301 sacks," DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones was quoted saying.

In Manila’s Estero de Magdalena and Estero de San Lazaro alone, PTV said the volunteers collected over 600 sacks of trash.

Part of the 30-sacks of collected garbage mostly made up of plastics and styropore materials. #BattleForManilaBay #BattleForEsteros pic.twitter.com/ANoLrbVYK3

— ???? (@DENROfficial) March 31, 2019

As of 8am, some 1,000 volunteers have collected almost 600 sacks of waste from Estero de Magdalena and more than 50 sacks from Estero de San Lazaro along CM Recto in Manila. #BattleForEsteros #BattleForManilaBay pic.twitter.com/rgRWZnEj72

— ???? (@DENROfficial) March 31, 2019

Cimatu said the government will come up with a mechanism to get rid of the garbage and liquid wastes in inlets.

“Kalahati ng laban (sa paglinis ng Manila Bay) ay panalo na tayo (We are halfway victorious in the cleaning of Manila Bay),” Cimatu said.

Both Cimatu and Lim said volunteerism was part of the success of Manila Bay rehabilitation.

Rehab of Tullahan River also a priority

Meanwhile, the inter-agency task force for Manila Bay said it would also focus on rehabilitating and cleaning up the Tullahan-Tinajeros River System.

At least 42 Tullahan River barangays, volunteers from the DENR and LGUs of Navotas and Caloocan signed their pledges of commitment for the Tullahan River.

Cimatu said he wanted to bring back the depth of the Tullahan River to minimize flooding. He said it would be a challenge but he and Año are optimistic for the restoration of the river.

DENR Sec Roy A. Cimatu: It is said that cleaning Tullahan River is impossible. But with the impressive support and commitment of the barangay captains, the impossible becomes possible. #BattleForManilaBay #BattleForEsteros pic.twitter.com/RjPVCqIdaD

— ???? (@DENROfficial) March 31, 2019

“Coliform level in Tullahan is 92 million mpm/100ml. Our mission is to clear the river of garbage, improve its water quality and remove informal settler families,” Cimatu said.

Año said rehabilitation of informal settlers in nearby inlets would remain a priority.

DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Analiza Rebuelta-Teh also, meanwhile, urged the public to segregate waste to help in the rehabilitation efforts.

“No amount of clean up in our rivers and esteros will result to anything if we don't segregate and recycle garbage right from our homes or source,” she said.