Cimatu traces origin of wastes that flow out to Manila Bay
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu traced on Friday the origin of untreated water wastes that flow out to the Manila Bay.
On his inspection, Cimatu first visited the Estero de San Antonio de Abad surrounded by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Ospital ng Maynila, and Manila Zoo in Malate district. Its waters look severely contaminated and release putrid smell.
Data from DENR showed that the fecal coliform level at the said waterway was 1.3 billion most probable numbers per 100 milliliters (MPN/100ml).
“It is validated that the water that comes out here is really dirty so its source is dirty,” Cimatu said when asked to react on what he saw.
The environment chief then dropped by to the Manila Zoo and confirmed that it lacks a sewage treatment plant (STP).
The animal park has been built 60 years ago and houses around 640 creatures.
“They have to put a treatment plan. Otherwise, they cannot throw waste water to the canal,” Cimatu said.
The zoo management, however, said that they have septic tanks and that they only dump water used in bathing animals in the estero.
“The Estero de Abad is so long. It passes Leveriza. So, definitely we are not the only contributor [of pollution],” said lawyer Jas Garcia, officer-in-charge, Manila Public Recreations Bureau. (Ria Fernandez)