CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- About 23,000 tons of wastes have been collected since January this year as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spearheads massive cleanup efforts of major river systems and tributaries of Manila Bay in Central Luzon.
DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno disclosed that figures have progressed since the Battle for Manila Bay was launched in 2019 wherein they were able to collect more than 1,400 tons of mixed wastes back then.
"We have doubled our efforts through grubbing of rivers and creeks in Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. Grubbing is the mechanized removal of wastes already deposited at the bottom of rivers," he explained.
The official added that there is a lot more to be done to finally clean Manila Bay, but the progress has been enormous since the campaign started two years ago.
About 23,000 tons of wastes have been collected since January this year as Department of Environment and Natural Resources spearheads massive cleanup efforts of major river systems and tributaries of Manila Bay in Central Luzon. (DENR)
DENR deployed some 420 estero rangers in Manila Bay areas in the region primarily tasked to conduct cleanup and monitoring of rivers, beaches and other water bodies.
A total of 125 trash traps were also installed in Bulacan, Bataan and Pampanga to prevent solid wastes from reaching the coastlines of Manila Bay.
Relative to this, Moreno appealed to the public to properly manage their solid wastes and support government efforts to save Manila Bay.
"We encourage everyone to religiously segregate their solid wastes at home and avoid using lots of single-used practice because this will help in the reduction of our daily garbage generation," he added. (CLJD-PIA 3)
