Page 2 - Urban-Escape-Issue-1

2 URBANescape

All Hands on Deck... From Page 1

life back to the historic bay.

Indeed, the response of the public was, in the words of
DENR National Capital Region Regional Executive
Director (RED) Jacqueline A. Caancan, “positive and
reassuring”. She said that the regional office was not
expecting a huge turn out in the number of volunteers.
“But they [people] came to be part of a truly meaningful
activity”, she beamed.

Dubbed as “Battle for Manila Bay”, the rehabilitation Volunteers baved the early morning chill of January and gathered at the
effort is expected to bring back the team that led the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta as they wait for the start of the program.
successful Boracay cleanup—i.e., DENR, DILG and
DOT—plus 11 other national government agencies led by the respective DENR regional offices in the area.
tasked by the Supreme Court, in the cleanup of
Manila Bay. Prior to its launch, Sec. Cimatu conducted an ocular
inspection of the different esteros and parts of Manila Bay
While public support was overwhelming and in Metro Manila to personally check on the sad condition
encouraging, Sec. Cimatu explained that the “‘battle’ of the bay and its tributaries. He was accompanied by
will not be won with force or arms but with the firm DENR high officials and RED Caancan.
resolve to bring Manila Bay back to life”.
Sec. Cimatu said that the rehabilitation effort would not
Following the “Solidarity Walk” and expression of only involve cleanup activities, but also the relocation
support by the cabinet officials present in the event, of families who have established homes along easement
simultaneous cleanup activities led by DENR National areas of waterways. More importantly, the thrust
Capital Region, were conducted at the Baywalk area, the will focus on the apprehension of establishments that
Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism violate the Philippine Clean Water Act and other related
Area (LPPCHEA), Baseco beach area, and the Tanza environmental laws.
Marine Tree Park in Navotas City.
The aim, Sec. Cimatu explained, is to improve water
Cleanup activities in the provinces of Cavite, Rizal, quality by reducing the coliform level in the Manila Bay
Laguna, Bataan and Pampanga were also conducted and and all the rivers, creeks and esteros that flow into the bay.

DENR issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to non-compliant establishments
Shortly after the successful launch of “Battle for Manila
Bay”, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, together with
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año; MMDA Chairman Danilo
Lim; LLDA Gen. Manager Joey C. Medina, and DENR
National Capital Region Regional Executive Director
Jacqueline A. Caancan, headed straight to three commercial
establishments in Manila and Pasay City to serve Cease
and Desist Orders (CDO).

Aristocrat Restaurant, Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin Restaurant,
and The Esplanade San Miguel by the Bay were slapped
with CDOs as they were found guilty of “generating and
discharging pollutive wastewater” directly to Manila Bay,
DENR Sec. Cimatu, accompanied by DENR high officials and RED
Jacqueline A. Caancan of DENR National Capital Region, walks in violation of Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA
towards The Esplanade in Pasay City to serve CDO. 9275).