Isko Moreno vows to participate in DENR cleanup of Manila’s Malate creek

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno vowed on Saturday that the Manila government will cooperate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the rehabilitation of the polluted Malate creek.

This development came after the DENR and the city government of Manila announced the initiative to cleanup Estero San Antonio Abad in Barangay 718, Malate, Manila.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu (left) and DENR’s Solid Waste Management Usec. Benny Antiporda (center) are accompanied by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (sitting) in the inspection of Malate creek, which will undergo rehabilitation. INQUIRER.net photo / Ryan Leagogo

“‘Yung bagong pamahalaan makakaasa ang [DENR] na makiki-isa ang pamahaalaan na hindi kami magtatapon ng basura sa dagat [sa estero],” Moreno told reporters after inspecting the creek in Malate with Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concern Undersecretary Benny Antiporda.

Moreno said they will meet with DENR staff at Manila City Hall on July 16, to plan for the clean up of the Malate creek, which is a tributary that drains into the sea and pollutes Manila Bay.

“We are going to meet on Tuesday… na magmimeet kami ng mga tao [sa DENR] para maplano na naman itong pinasyalan natin. Ito yung one of many creeks of Manila na isa sa pinaka contributor ng kadumihan ng Manila Bay,” Moreno said.

INQUIRER.net photo / Ryan Leagogo

Cimatu said they are planning to demolish fences near the creek to allow more space for garbage trucks and people.

“Maraming naglagay ng fence mismong tabi ng [creek] we will demolish the fence para magcomply sa batas which is three meters, kung may space tayo na mapaglinisan,” Cimatu said in an ambush interview.

Cimatu explained that people tend to throw their garbage near the creek because garbage trucks could not pass through the congested area.

“Ang problema dito kung hindi nakakapasok yung garbage truck dito sa esteros. You can just imagine kung hindi nakakapasok, itatapon na lang ang basura sa estero,” the DENR chief said.

The Environment secretary said the coliform level of the Malate creek’s water decreased from 1.3 billion to 10 million. /jpv

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