Rehabilitating the southern part of Manila Bay

Efforts to fast track the rehabilitation of the southern part of Manila Bay are now underway following the sealing of a partnership between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Parañaque City.

As part of its commitment under the DENR’s Adopt-a-Waterbody or Adopt-an-Estero Program, the Aseana City – through its Aseana Business Park Estate Association (ABPEA) – has been leading dredging activities along the Redemptorist Water Channel in Parañaque City.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) provided the dredging equipment for the activity that started in April.

DENR Acting Secretary, Jim O. Sampulna, welcomed the dredging efforts showing continuous environmental cooperation with Aseana City and the city government of Parañaque.

“Such partnerships highlight the importance of our partnership with the private sector and local government unit (LGU) in the realization and success of our programs, especially a priority program such as the Manila Bay Rehabilitation,” Sampulna said.

Aseana City is a 107-hectare business district in a reclaimed area that hosts several establishments, such as the Ayala Malls Manila Bay, City of Dreams, and the Passport Center of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Aside from the dredging, the ABPEA has been working towards having more establishments within its complex join the government’s Adopt-a-Waterbody program to improve water quality in the tributaries of Manila Bay and speed up its rehabilitation.

Under the program, adopters commit to starting coordination with other sectors, the community, and other government agencies in conducting cleanup activities and putting up interventions to improve water quality in the adopted water body.