(Eagle News) — Members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives have asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to suspend the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
In filing House resolution No. 2452, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, ACT Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago said the suspension should apply “until a comprehensive and holistic study on the socio-economic impact on affected marginalized sectors has been diligently carried out.”
The group added there was a need to consult stakeholders before a cleanup is undertaken.
There is a need to “draft a genuine and democratic program that will sincerely rehabilitate Manila Bay without infringing on the basic rights to livelihood and adequate standard of living of marginalized sectors,” the group said.
The DENR is spearheading the cleanup, which includes the relocation of informal settler-families living along the coastline of Manila Bay.
Netizens praised the DENR initiative, which kicked off on Sunday, Jan. 27, posting pictures of the Manila Bay and its coastline with almost no litter.
Earlier, the DENR undertook a six-month rehabilitation of Boracay at the behest of President Rodrigo Duterte, who called the world-famous island a “cesspool.”
