(Eagle News) — Metro Manila mayors and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), have passed a resolution supporting the Manila Bay Rehabilitation program of the National Government, including the moves to close establishments polluting its waters and resettle informal settlers living along river tributaries.
The mayors together with MMDA chairman Danilo Lim, passed the resolution on Thursday, January 31, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said all the mayors in the Philippine capital have all vowed to support the government’s move to close polluting establishments, and will also conduct clean-up operations and other efforts in their areas to stem pollution in Manila Bay.
The DILG chief together with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu met with all Metro Manila Mayors at the MMDA office earlier.
“The Mayors are 100% behind our effort to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay. They also committed to immediately close all establishments that were previously issued with Cease and Desist Orders (CDOs) by the DENR or LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority). They will also conduct their own inspections using their own sanitary and CENRO (Community Environment and Natural Resources Office) personnel,” said Año.
Año asked the LGUs to support the national government’s effort to clean up Manila Bay, especially the move to close business establishment found to be violating environmental laws
He had earlier asked the support of the local government units (LGUs) in the closure of business establishments found to be violating environmental laws and are located within the planned relocation sites of informal settler families (ISFs) from coastal areas, esteros, and waterways in Metro Manila.
-Support for Cease and Desist Orders (CDOs) on polluting establishments-
DENR’s Cimatu informed the mayors that they will issue CDOs, Show Cause Orders, and Notice of Violations to all inspected business establishments found to be violating environmental laws.
Año likewise urged the mayors to conduct their own inspections using their own authority under the Local Government Code and close businesses without waiting for the DENR so long as applicable laws are followed.
-Relocating informal settlers-
The DILG said that all Metro Manila mayors had expressed support for the resettlement of informal settler families (ISFs) to “in-city resettlement or provincial resettlement areas with the help of the National Housing Authority and the DILG.”
Latest DILG records show that there around 220,000 ISFs living along the Manila Bay watershed area, including those settling along the 17 tributary river systems that flow into the Manila Bay Area.
“I am pleased that the mayors and the DENR collectively support this major undertaking for us to achieve our goal of relocating ISFs to better places where they can have a better life,” Año said.
Año asked the mayors to fast track their own housing programs for their constituents while DILG will work with the government housing agencies to build more housing units.
The Metro Manila Council which passed the resolution supporting the Manila Bay rehabilitation is composed of all Metro Manila Mayors and is led by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair.
President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier announced that his government will clean up the Manila Bay after the successful rehabilitation of Boracay Island.
