Swimming in Manila Bay possible in December 2019?

• DENR said that people may be able to swim in Manila Bay this December 2019.
• They will launch the Manila Bay rehabilitation program on January 27 and it is expected to be finished within a year.

Environment Undersecretary Sherwin Rigor said that some parts of Manila Bay may be possible for swimming by December 2019.

As of now, it is still infested with a bacteria called the fecal coliform.

Last week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the establishments that are located near Manila Bay, the rivers, and canals connected to the sea to check on which ones are disposing the contaminated water.

On January 27, the rehabilitation program is set to launch. It is divided into three phases that are expected to be completed in a span of one year.

The government is also planning to talk to the residents of the Baseco area, Estero de Abad, and parts of the Barangay Sto. Niño for their relocation as it is a part of the rehabilitation program.

Meanwhile, DENR also expressed their opposition to Manila and Pasay’s reclamation project as it will be a hindrance to their program.

But they clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte has the final say about the reclamation project.

According to the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), the rehabilitation program will be a big help to boost the tourism in Manila.

“‘Pag naayos ‘yan, ang magiging effect niyan sa tourism ay dadami pa iyong puwede naming maialok sa ating mga turista,” said TCP President Jojo Clemente.

“Kami ay nagulat lang dahil at bakit parang hotel na naman ang na-single out. Karamihan din naman ng dumi ‘no ay nanggagaling din sa iba’t ibang lugar.”