MANILA, Philippines – A total of 1,100 ‘estero rangers’ were sworn into duty by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu on Sunday (November 17).

They will be deployed to different barangays across Metro Manila to facilitate the estero clean-up project in relation to the ongoing rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

Cimatu believes that by mobilizing these ‘estero rangers,’ irresponsible waste disposal will be prevented as they are going to police their respective communities.

At present, there are around 65,000 families living along more than 200 esteros in Metro Manila and sadly, Cimatu said, they are in the habit of dumping garbage in esteros where these trash extract contaminants that flow straight to Manila Bay polluting its waters.

“Gusto namin mismo doon sa lugar na pinagtatapunan, mayroon tayong linya doon, (We want to have an eye or a line of communication from the areas where they dispose their garbage),” Cimatu said.

“Kayo ang napili. Kayo ang nai-rekomenda ng inyong local government unit especially your barangay (You were chosen. You were recommended by your local government units especially your barangays),” he added addressing the estero rangers.

Local chief executives were asked to identify and recommend two residents from each barangay to become estero rangers.

They are tasked to supervise the cleaning of esteros in their area for six weeks.

“Gusto namin talagang makatulong dahil nga talagang sobrang dumi na talaga (We really want to help because the esteros are so polluted),” noted estero ranger, Adelaida Hermies from San Juan City.

“Personally, ang nakikita ko ang mga residente talaga kulang talaga sa disiplina, (Personally from what I have observed, the residents really lack discipline),” she added.

The project is part of the ongoing rehabilitation of Manila Bay launched by DENR in cooperation with concerned government agencies, the LGUs and the private sector. – MNP (with details from Asher Cadapan Jr.)

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) wants to improve the quality of water in Manila Bay to make it “swimmable” by the end of the year.

On Wednesday (November 13), DENR tested water sample from a creek near the DENR-NCR office in East Avenue, Quezon City.

An organic solution which is said to reduce pollution level in water has been applied.

“Its 100% organic so pwede siyang inumin ng tao, pwedeng inumin ng hayop, (so it could be consumed by humans and animals),” explained CHC Agritect Archieval Cabral.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu personally witnessed the solution’s effect on the contaminated water.

Cimatu said the agency plans to study whether the solution can be used to rehabilitate Manila Bay.

The DENR targets to make its water swimmable or safe for recreation before the end of the year.

“Ang first ano natin is ma-cleanup ang Manila Bay, ang fecal coliform. Iyon ang pinaka-target natin na mapababa, (First, we need to clean up Manila Bay’s fecal coliform content. That’s what we are targeting to reduce,)” Cabral said.

The DENR plans to construct three outfalls and a treatment plant near the Manila Yacht Club in Roxas Boulevard to help reduce pollution in Manila Bay.

“Especially kung nandyan na yung treatment plant talagang bababa na iyon, (Especially if the treatment plant is already working, [coliform content] will be further reduced),” Cimatu said.

“Kasi yung mga matataas na coliform diyan mati-treat nito (Because if coliform content is high, the facility will treat the water),” he assured.

The DENR will commission at least 2,000 personnel to maintain cleanliness in creeks across Metro Manila that discharge water to Manila Bay.

“Kasi kahit maglinis-linis tayo sa dagat kung tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pagbaba ng garbage coming from the esteros, ay ganun pa rin, (Even if we do clean up drives but garbage disposals coming from the esteros continue, the situation will remain the same),” Secretary Cimatu said.

“So, we have to solve the problem from the sources,” he added. – MNP (with EXCLUSIVE interview by Rey Pelayo)

A GSM (galing sa magnanakaw) or stolen cellphone was returned to its owner on Monday (November 11).

Tutuban Mall personnel previously turned over several stolen cellphones to the Manila Police District (MPD) Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (SMaRT). The MPD SMaRT called on owners to claim their phones at their office.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno personally returned the phone to the owner after verification.

Moreno also lauded the personnel at Tutuban Mall as well as the Manila Police for the successful campaign to lessen snatchers and holduppers.

He also reiterated that secondhand stores are the first ones to buy stolen phones from robbers.

“Kaya ayoko talagang may tindahan ng secondhand dito dahil sila ang mga unang bumili (That’s why I don’t like secondhand stores here because they are the first to buy [stolen gadgets]),” he said.

The owner is grateful to the authorities who helped in recovering her phone.

“Hindi lang po phone ko ang naisalba kasi nandito rin po iyong photos ng family ko noong pumunta ako sa Australia, 22 years ko po kasi silang hindi nakasama (My phone wasn’t the only one that was recovered but also the photos of my family when I went to Australia. I haven’t seen them in 22 years),” she said.

“Pasalamat kayo sa Dios, (Thank God)” Moreno replied. “Manatili sana kayong maniwala na may gobyerno ang Maynila (Always remember that Manila has a government now).”—AAC