President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of the Manila Bay Task Force to speed up the rehabilitation and conservation efforts of the iconic waterway, a document from Malacañang revealed Thursday.
Under Administrative Order No. 16, which he signed on Feb. 19, the President stressed the need to expedite the rehabilitation and restoration of the coastal and marine ecosystem of the polluted bay.
“The convergence of national agencies and local government units in the Manila Bay Region, and the active participation of private and public stakeholders are necessary to facilitate the robust and integrated implementation of all rehabilitation and restoration efforts at the Manila Bay,” Duterte said.
According to the President, the Task Force will be headed by the Environment secretary as its chairperson. The Interior and Tourism secretaries will be its vice chairpersons.
Duterte also sought the support of 13 government agencies to ensure the full implementation of his directive, which include the departments of Public Works and Highways, Agriculture, Health, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, the Metro Manila Development Authority, Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, Local Water Utilities Administration, Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System, Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, Manila Water, and Maynilad Water Services.
Upon his order, the Task Force can “undertake remedial measures using engineering and technological interventions to improve the water quality of the Manila Bay, such as sustained and targeted reduction in the coliform level in all major river systems and tributaries within the Manila Bay Region.”
Duterte then gave specific directives to all the mentioned agencies, reminding them of their respective mandates as prescribed in the Writ of Continuing Mandamus issued by the Supreme Court.
“All heads of government departments, bureaus, and offices, including government-owned -or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby enjoined to extend full support to the Task Force in the performance of its mandates under this order,” the President said.
The departments of Social Welfare and Development, Labor and Employment, and Trade and Industry are likewise ordered to provide “immediate social welfare assistance to individuals and families affected by the cleanup and rehabilitation effort,” which may include provisions for social safety nets, emergency employment assistance, training, livelihood assistance, and job facilitation services.
Duterte also called on all the mayors of the cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region and the governors of Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Cavite to ensure the implementation of critical environmental laws.
They are mandated to monitor the water quality in the region, implement measures to prevent and control water pollution, allocate necessary lands for sewage treatment facilities, and impose administrative sanctions on those who would violate environmental laws.
“The Task Force shall submit a quarterly report on the implementation of this order to the Office of the President… Such report shall include the actions taken by the LGUs and recommendations on the amendment of existing laws,” he said.
For the funding of the Task Force, Duterte said the budget would be sourced from the existing appropriations of its member-agencies.