Establishments reminded to ‘toe the line’ on Manila Bay rehab

MANILA -- Establishments along Manila Bay must comply with environmental laws, Malacañang reminded Thursday amid the bay’s ongoing cleanup.

“Those who are not compliant with regulations would have to toe the line,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Earlier, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) issued cease and desist orders against three establishments for discharging wastewater directly to the Manila Bay.

Following concerns raised by Makabayan lawmakers that informal settlers who will be displaced by the cleanup were not consulted, Panelo also assured that their welfare will be taken into consideration.

“The government will always look at the welfare of everybody affected there,” he said.

Panelo also urged Makabayan lawmakers who want the cleanup postponed until a rehab plan is published to first wait for the results of the Manila Bay rehabilitation.

“Ganun din naman sila doon sa Boracay di ba? O e natapos na ang Boracay okay naman sa kanila (They were like that during the Boracay cleanup, right? It’s done now and it looks like it’s fine with them),” Panelo said.

Panelo said that President Rodrigo R. Duterte would be “pleased” by Manila Bay’s ongoing rehab noting that it was the President’s directive in the first place.

“He (Duterte) will be pleased to know that it has started because he has been saying that should start immediately. That was his directive to (Environment) Sec. Roy (Cimatu),” Panelo said.

“When you see your objective being done, siyempre (of course) he’ll be pleased,” he added.

Meanwhile, Panelo reminded both national and local government agencies and officials not to claim credit for the bay’s cleanup.

“Sabi ni Presidente (The President said), everybody should be given credit. Nobody can claim credit for anything that is an achievement of this administration,” Panelo said.

On Jan. 27, the rehab of the iconic bay kicked off with thousands of volunteers from various sectors participating.

The Manila Bay rehabilitation happened three months after the government completed its six-month rehabilitation of Boracay. (PNA)

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