Duterte to Manila Bay polluters: Shape up or I’ll tear down your building

MANILA, Philippines—”Make a choice…I’m going to dismantle your building or just simply burn it down.”

This was President Rodrigo Duterte’s stern warning to establishments polluting the Manila Bay during his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday.

READ: DENR warns Manila Bay polluters of full operations shutdown

Duterte, who ordered last year the rehabilitation of the famed picturesque bayside in Metro Manila, said the government would relocate informal settlers as part of its drive to restore Manila Bay.

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

“I am giving due notice to the LGUs and the stakeholders of tourist destinations in the enforcement of our laws in the protection of our environment,” Duterte said.

The President also pointed out the massive cleanup of world-famous Boracay last year, calling it “just the beginning” of the government’s objective of protecting the environment.

“Boracay Island is just the beginning. And the girls there, the foreigners, are waiting for you gentlemen to visit the place. They are all on the beach sunbathing,” he said.

Duterte had previously called Boracay a “cesspool,” prompting him to order its closure from April 26 until late October last year to give way for its rehabilitation. /jpv

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