Manila Bay rehab: LGUs to go after erring establishments

MANILA, Philippines – Local government units in Metro Manila have agreed to cancel the business permit of establishments around Manila Bay that will disregard the cease and desist orders (CDOs) issued by concerned government agencies, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Thursday.

In an effort to rehabilitate Manila Bay, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has issued CDOs to a total of seven establishments for polluting the bay.

These establishments were ordered to shut down their water sources and wastewater discharging facilities.

READ: 3 restos face closure for polluting Manila Bay
 

READ: 4 more establishments ordered closed for polluting Manila Bay
 

Año said that during a meeting with the Metro Manila Council (MMC), which is composed of local chief executives and city administrators that LGUs will cancel and suspend the business permits of establishments that refuse to comply with the CDO for violating environmental laws.

“In our meeting with the mayors and city administrators, they are going to support the effort, if the establishment is categorized as violating the environmental law and a CDO is issued, then they will also cancel and suspend the business permit,” Año told reporters in an interview after meeting with the MMC.

Año said the LGUs would give the establishments some leeway to comply with the CDO and environmental regulations before they cancel the business permit. /gsg