Duterte forms Manila Bay Task Force

President Duterte has ordered the creation of the Manila Bay Task Force to ensure the expedited and complete rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation of the coastal and marine ecosystem of Manila Bay.

In Administrative Order No. 16 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Feb. 19, the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is designated as chair of the Task Force. The secretaries of the Interior (DILG) and Tourism (DoT) departments, meanwhile, will serve as vicechairpersons.

The DENR is tasked to strictly enforce the Philippine Clean Water Act on the conduct of containment, removal, and clean operations, and the exercise of supervision and control on all aspects of water quality management.

The agency will also monitor compliance with critical environmental laws, rules and regulations, and issue notices of closure, cease and desist orders, and other appropriate sanctions to violators, including the filing of cases against erring government officials.

Other members of the Task Force are the secretaries of the departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Health (DoH), and Agriculture (DA).

TThe funding for the Task Force will be sourced from existing appropriations of member-agencies of the Task Force and other sources identified by the Budget Department.