DOT supports DENR effort to rehabilitate Manila Bay

The Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed its support for the initiative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to rehabilitate Manila Bay in a bid to bring it back to its former pristine state.

The tourism department said the effort of cleaning up the Manila Bay "is for the best interest of the tourism industry and is in line with the thrust of the DOT to create a culture of sustainable tourism."

The DOT issued this statement even as it said that it will conduct consultations and dialogues with the other members of the Boracay Interagency Task Force to ensure that "accredited tourism establishments in all parts of the country will conform with the highest standard of environmental conservation."

"We will continue to strengthen our partnership with the industry and national and local government agencies to ensure the sustainable development and management of this economic sector," the DOT said.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has started to inspect the establishments and waterways surrounding the Manila Bay.

Previously, Cimatu expressed hope to replicate what has been achieved in Boracay Island, which had undergone six months of rehabilitation.

“We are preparing for an all-out strategy to bring the coliform concentration in Manila Bay to a safe level so that millions of people who reside in the bay region and neighboring areas will enjoy its waters and marine resources without fear of getting sick,” Cimatu said.