The Advocates of Science and Technology for the People has criticized the government’s slow progress with the Manila Bay rehabilitation program.
“It has been three years since a so-called Manila Bay rehabilitation program was implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), but what have they really achieved so far?” the scientist group said in a statement.
The group said rehabilitation is not only about cleanup. “The goal of the DENR should not only revolve around making Manila Bay swimmable but also to restore marine ecosystems and improve fishery production.”
It added that aside from addressing solid wastes, it is also important to conserve and restore marine ecosystems such as mangrove forests and mudflats in Manila Bay. “In this aspect, the Duterte administration failed.” — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
