BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The Manila Bay clean-up, rehabilitation and preservation project officially kicked off Saturday morning in Balanga City simultaneous with kick off sites in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija.
The Philippine Information Agency reported that the synchronized clean-up at the Wetlands Park in barangay Tortugas, Balanga City; the Lourdes Creek in the City of San Fernando and Rizal, Nueva Ecija forms part of the project.
Cleaning of water channels like major and minor rivers, esteros and connecting waterways that exit into Manila Bay are included in the program.
Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III said that coastal clean-up is not new in the province with various non-governmental organizations cooperating with government agencies in the campaign.
The mayor led in the signing of a Manifesto of Commitment on the rehabilitation of Manila Bay “to make it fit for fishing, swimming and diving.”
Members of the Knights of Columbus, Philippine National Police and Philippine Army, barangay, provincial and city officials, government workers, teachers and students, fishermen and women with some children participated in the clean-up at the Wetland Park.
Using shovels, rakes, hard brooms, pointed sticks and empty sacks, the participants cleaned the surroundings of the park in the fishing village of Tortugas. Adjacent to Manila Bay, it has two viewing decks and information center for bird watchers.
