Manila Bay cleanup nets 3,810 tons of trash

Some 3,810 tons of garbage, water hyacinth and silt have been collected from coastlines and estuaries draining to Manila Bay since the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) launched its cleanup this year.

In the agency’s Manila Bay rehabilitation report, the following items were recovered from Jan. 7 to Aug. 31: 749.72 tons of garbage from Manila Baywalk and other tributaries; 737.12 tons of garbage and water hyacinth removed from Baseco beach area, lagoon, and aplaya; 901.85 tons of water hyacinth and garbage from Pasig and San Juan rivers; 1,422.17 tons of silt from estuaries and drainage laterals to Manila Bay.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the agency expects more garbage from Manila Bay in the coming months due to inclement weather.

“Garbage has accumulated in Manila Bay after the heavy rains but the rehabilitation of Manila Bay never stops. We are inviting more volunteers to help in our clean-up drive held every Saturday in the Baywalk and Baseco areas,” Lim said.

In the Manila Bay cleanups organized by the MMDA, some 18,457 volunteers have joined from January to August this year.