BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) on Wednesday has asked Bataan mayors to join their group in saving Manila Bay which it described as a “dead one needing at least 80 years to resurrect.”
Rear Admiral Winifredo Villanueva, commander of PCGA 101st Squadron, invited mayors from 11 towns and one city in the province to be part of “Save Manila Bay”.
He said the movement was launched at the Manila Yacht Club October 22 last year.
Resources for the project come from member-volunteers. “Kaya hinihikayat namin ang mga local executives upang hindi mahirapan at para kanya-kanyang harap ang lilinisin,” the environmentalist said.
Bataan was their third destination after visiting mayors from Cavite and Bulacan.
Villanueva said they will also invite mayors from Manila, Pasay, Paranaque, Batangas, Navotas, Malabon aside from Bataan, Cavite and Bulacan; areas adjacent to Manila Bay.
He said that it took 40 years for a rich country like Japan to clean Tokyo Bay.
“Sa Pilipinas na mahirap na bansa, siguro 80 taon kailangan upang muling buhayin ang patay na Manila Bay,” he said.
“It will take many years and we will not be able to finish the project in our generation but we have to start so the next generation can continue and finish it,” Villanueva said.
Limay town Mayor Lilvir Roque voiced his concern about incoming domestic and foreign vessels frequenting their port that may have dumped wastes within their territorial waters.
Limay is the site of a giant oil refinery and some industries.
The PCGA commander said sea marshals composed of the Coast Guard and the Philippine Maritime will take care of the problem.
He said their group will be taking up the matter with ship owners.
Villanueva with PCGA Capt. Herman Warns also presented the 10 point agenda of “Save Manila Bay” aimed at protecting and conserving the marine environment.
These include requiring all existing establishments surrounding Manila Bay to have their own waste water treatment facility, dumping of wastes by shipping vessels on proper dumping areas, setting-up of radar and communication systems on Fort Drum in Corregidor to monitor all shipping vessels coming in and out, putting-up of fish sanctuaries on all surrounding municipalities and cities of Manila Bay, lobbying for passage of a resolution or ordinance to impose stiff penalties on violators from P50,000 to P1 million, patrolling of Manila Bay with aid of CCTV cameras and fast boats against illegal fishing.
“Ang ‘Save Manila Bay’ ay simbolo lamang, wake-up call lamang sapagka’t kailangan nating linisin ang mga kanal, mga ilog para sa kalikasan at maiwasan ang climate change na nagdudulot ng kalamidad sa maraming bansa at sa mga lugar sa Pilipinas na dati-rating hindi naman binabaha,” Villanueva said.
The Coast Guard commander said the mayors will be bestowed honorary rank of commodore once they become members of the group.
Bataan Mayors’ League Vice-President Gene dela Fuente said they will pass a resolution endorsing the project. She presided over the mayors’ meeting in Balanga City.
Rear Admiral Winifredo Villanueva, commander of PCGA 101st Squadron, invited mayors from 11 towns and one city in the province to be part of “Save Manila Bay”.
He said the movement was launched at the Manila Yacht Club October 22 last year.
Resources for the project come from member-volunteers. “Kaya hinihikayat namin ang mga local executives upang hindi mahirapan at para kanya-kanyang harap ang lilinisin,” the environmentalist said.
Bataan was their third destination after visiting mayors from Cavite and Bulacan.
Villanueva said they will also invite mayors from Manila, Pasay, Paranaque, Batangas, Navotas, Malabon aside from Bataan, Cavite and Bulacan; areas adjacent to Manila Bay.
He said that it took 40 years for a rich country like Japan to clean Tokyo Bay.
“Sa Pilipinas na mahirap na bansa, siguro 80 taon kailangan upang muling buhayin ang patay na Manila Bay,” he said.
“It will take many years and we will not be able to finish the project in our generation but we have to start so the next generation can continue and finish it,” Villanueva said.
Limay town Mayor Lilvir Roque voiced his concern about incoming domestic and foreign vessels frequenting their port that may have dumped wastes within their territorial waters.
Limay is the site of a giant oil refinery and some industries.
The PCGA commander said sea marshals composed of the Coast Guard and the Philippine Maritime will take care of the problem.
He said their group will be taking up the matter with ship owners.
Villanueva with PCGA Capt. Herman Warns also presented the 10 point agenda of “Save Manila Bay” aimed at protecting and conserving the marine environment.
These include requiring all existing establishments surrounding Manila Bay to have their own waste water treatment facility, dumping of wastes by shipping vessels on proper dumping areas, setting-up of radar and communication systems on Fort Drum in Corregidor to monitor all shipping vessels coming in and out, putting-up of fish sanctuaries on all surrounding municipalities and cities of Manila Bay, lobbying for passage of a resolution or ordinance to impose stiff penalties on violators from P50,000 to P1 million, patrolling of Manila Bay with aid of CCTV cameras and fast boats against illegal fishing.
“Ang ‘Save Manila Bay’ ay simbolo lamang, wake-up call lamang sapagka’t kailangan nating linisin ang mga kanal, mga ilog para sa kalikasan at maiwasan ang climate change na nagdudulot ng kalamidad sa maraming bansa at sa mga lugar sa Pilipinas na dati-rating hindi naman binabaha,” Villanueva said.
The Coast Guard commander said the mayors will be bestowed honorary rank of commodore once they become members of the group.
Bataan Mayors’ League Vice-President Gene dela Fuente said they will pass a resolution endorsing the project. She presided over the mayors’ meeting in Balanga City.
