3 establishments shuttered in Manila Bay cleanup drive

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), issued cease and desist orders to three companies and notices of violations to six establishments in the area of the Manila Bay after they were found non-compliant with environmental regulations.
The orders were issued during the DENR’s Manila Bay clean-up drive on Sunday, which the agency calls the Battle for Manila Bay.
The companies issued cease and desist orders on Aristocrat and Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin restaurants along Roxas Boulevard and The Esplanade (San Miguel by the Bay), for generating “pollutive wastewater.” The DENR said it has cut the water sources of these establishments.
The three establishments were also each fined P200,000.
On the other hand, notices of violations (NoVs) were issued to Aliw Inn, SM Corporate Offices, SM Prime Holdings-SM Mall of Asia, Lola Taba & Lolo Pato Seaside Paluto, SM Prime Holding-SM Ferry Terminal, and SMDC Sea Residences.
The establishments need to have a proper sewage treatment plants (STPs).
“‘Pag NoV, meaning, pinapatawag sila at ini-inform sila na may violation at pupunta sila for a technical conference. Idi-discuss nila kung paano nila iko-correct. Pero ‘pag bumagsak sa water pollution, immediately, mag-pe-penalty na sila. Ang range n’yan maximum P200,000 per day” LLDA General Manager Jaime C. Medina said in a press briefing in Pasay on Sunday. (With NoV, they are informed that there is a violation and they are called to a technical conference. They will discuss how to correct [these violations]. But if the pollution goes direct to the water, they are penalized. The range is P200,000 per day maximum).
Mr. Medina explained that a cease and desist order means the establishments have long failed to comply while those issued notices of violations are notified for the first time.
For his part, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said, “What we failed to clean up in the past should be dealt with accordingly today and that we will sustain in the future.”
The drive was joined by the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, Metro Manila Development Authority, members of the academe, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other volunteers. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio