GSIS, 10 more establishments tagged as Manila Bay polluters

AFTERNOON DELIGHT Sunset-gazers on Manila’s Baywalk strip on Wednesday enjoy both the view and the trash-free shoreline of Manila Bay, which underwent a major cleanup on Jan. 27. —EDWIN BACASMAS

Four more establishments were slapped with government cease-and-desist orders on Wednesday for discharging untreated wastewater into Manila Bay, bringing to seven the number of businesses told to stop operations or face legal action.

As part of a government program to rehabilitate the bay, notices of violation were also issued to the main office of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and six other establishments for water pollution.

The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), which has jurisdiction over Manila Bay, issued the orders to Tramway Bayview Buffet Restaurant, HK Sun Plaza and Billion Building/Philippine Billion Real Estate Development Corp., all on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, and to D Circle Hotel on M. H. Del Pilar Street in Malate, Manila.

LLDA inspections

On Sunday, when the cleanup campaign dubbed “Battle for Manila Bay” started, authorities shut down the water sources and wastewater discharging facilities of Aristocrat Restaurant, Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin and The Esplanade after these were found dumping untreated wastewater directly into the bay.

The cease-and-desist orders were based on recent inspections by the LLDA in the Manila Bay area and on results of laboratory analyses of wastewater samples taken from the establishments.

Test results showed that the samples did not conform with standards for Class “SB,” which are considered recreational waters that can be regularly used by the public for swimming and bathing.

Aside from the GSIS, also flagged for water pollution were Sogo Hotel-Quirino, Makchang Korean Grill Restaurant and 2Blue Realty Corp. in Malate, as well as Robinsons Land Corp. (Robinsons Place Manila) in Ermita, Manila.

In Pasay, Peak Motors Philippines Inc. and Cebuana Lhuillier Building were identified as violators.

The LLDA said a similar notice had been issued to Rizal Park Hotel on T.M. Kalaw Street in Ermita.

Its general manager, Jaime Medina, earlier said that the authorities would continue to inspect establishments near Manila Bay and estuaries that flow into it.

No treatment plants

In the Pasay and Manila area alone, the LLDA has uncovered 120 establishments without sewage treatment plants and are dumping dirty water directly into the bay, according to Medina.

Violators may face a fine of up to P200,000 daily, starting from the data they received the LLDA order.

The agency will inspect the establishments again to ensure their compliance with water standards.