Manila Bay not yet safe for swimming – DOH

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) advised the public against taking a dip in the waters pf Manila Bay despite the government’s cleanup initiatives.

Health Undersecretary Rolando Domingo said that based on the latest test conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), coliform level in the bay is still beyond normal.

“Ito pong huling tingin ng DENR, napakataas pa po ng mga coliform level natin,” Domingo told reporters in an interview.

[The latest DENR test showed a high level of coliform.]

“Kaya talaga pong wina-warn natin at ina-advise natin ang mga kababayan na ‘wag po munang magswimming dahil hindi pa po fit for human recreational use ang tubig sa Manila Bay,” he added.

[The public is thus advised against swimming in Manila Bay, which is still not fit for human recreational activities.]

In a statement, the DOH advised the public to wait until the Manila Bay waters are “deemed safe for recreational swimming” as it “still needs to undergo testing for chemical and physical quality, and coliform levels.”

The DOH said it is coordinating with the DENR for the latest results of the tests.

Swimming in waters with high coliform levels could lead to water-borne diseases, including diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever, as well as skin diseases and eye infections. /gsg