IN BRIEF

MMDA hauls 138 tons of trash from Manila Bay

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday reported it was able to remove up to 138 tons of garbage in Manila Bay.

The cleanup operation, according to MMDA chief Romando Artes, was conducted between July 1 and Aug. 5 and covered a wide range of waste materials that were washed ashore due to the heavy rains brought by typhoons and monsoons in recent weeks.

Majority of the collected garbage from the bay were bamboo poles and driftwood which had been carried by currents from nearby fish pens, water hyacinths, plastics, household waste, and sorts of garbage thrown indiscriminately into esteros and creeks, the official said.

Aside from hauling garbage, MMDA workers are focusing on cleaning major drainages to prevent garbage and silt from polluting the bay.

“While the men and women of MMDA are working hard to keep our environment clean, we should also do our part in being responsible in the environment,” said Artes in his appeal to the public.

The Manila Bay rehabilitation program was spearheaded by the Department of Environment, and National Resources, with MMDA, various government agencies, local government units, private groups, environmentalists and volunteers.

The Manila Bay cleanup organized by the MMDA had also registered at least 19,000 volunteers who joined the incessant clean-up activities in Manila Baywalk and Baseco.Joel E. Zurbano bring clarity to this isolated event. Our collective assurance is that justice will be diligently pursued and unequivocally served.” Maranan described the incident as “depressing.” He also extended his sympathies to the family of the victim.

According to Taguig police commander Col. Robert Baesa, the incident appears to have started from a disagreement that escalated.

Witnesses from Taguig City Hall reported that the disagreement started when the Saguiped offered pork ‘sinigang’ to Aguell who was a Muslim. Sindac, who intervened to calm the situation, was also shot by Aguell but managed to return fire.

The three were brought to the nearest hospital but Saguiped was declared dead on arrival, while the two were given medical aid. Aguell could also face murder charges, he added.

With Joel E. Zurbano