Where’s sustainable people’s participation in the battle for Manila Bay?

THE rehabilitation of the famed Manila Bay, dubbed the “Battle for Manila Bay,” has begun in earnest. Some 5,000 government workers and private volunteers participated in the inaugural kick-off of the weekly clean-up drive. Tons of trash were reportedly collected during the initial clean-up effort.

In the latest round of planning for the future, environmental experts are calling for legislative action such as law on Manila Bay rehabilitation and policy on water discharge to the Bay. As usual, stiffer penalties on industrial and commercial polluters, the relocation of illegal settlers and strict implementation of zoning regulations are on the table.

The Department of Information Technology ( DICT) is weighing in by providing the tools such as sensors and CCTVs to help win today’s most celebrated battle for the environment. In his speech at the launching ceremonies of the clean- up drive, acting ICT Secretary Eliseo Rio said the sensors would be used in monitoring the coliform level of the water to make the Bay “swimmable” again. The CCTV cameras will be installed to catch litterers.

Connectivity is at the heart of DICT’s contribution to the cause so information can reach the command and control center of the proper authorities.

The President has allocated a total of P47B for the seven-year period of that project that will cover rehabilitation, restoration and conservation. While the Ccity of Manila is at the forefront of this massive initiative, parallel rehabilitation activities will be undertaken in some parts of Metro Manila as well