Firefighters join Manila Bay cleanup

MANILA, Philippines — At least 175 firemen from Metro Manila joined the cleanup of Manila Bay over the weekend. 

The firefighters collected trash and declogged drains covering the portion of the bay in Pasay City at around 5:30 a.m. yesterday. 

They said they supported the government’s efforts in rehabilitating the polluted Manila Bay.

Other volunteers, mostly students and youth leaders, collected garbage in Port Area, Manila as a sign of support for the bay’s cleanup.

On Saturday, members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) from Metro Manila launched an initiative called “Kilos Kabataan para sa Kalikasan” in the reclaimed area of Baseco Compound.

The activity was spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Youth Commission and Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. 

DENR Assistant Secretary Joan Lagunda urged SK councils to allocate parts of their budgets to the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

Unlike in the Baywalk area where swimming is prohibited, residents of Baseco Compound continued to swim in the area, which they called “Little Boracay.” 

Government workers and volunteers have collected tons of garbage since the DENR launched the “Battle for Manila Bay” on Jan. 27.

The DENR said the quality of water in parts of the bay has improved since its first inspection last month.