MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of a task force that would hasten the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay.

Duterte, through Administrative Order 16 released on Thursday (February 21), formed the task force to ensure the complete restoration, rehabilitation and conservation of Manila Bay’s coastal and marine system.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu will chair the task force while the Secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Tourism will serve as vice-chairpersons; 13 government agencies will serve as its members.

The task force is mandated to enforce the Code of Sanitation of the Philippines as amended, Republic Act 9275 and Republic Act 9003, to ensure the complete rehabilitation, restoration and conservation of Manila Bay.

It can also require all government facilities and other establishments, including households to immediately connect existing sewage lines to available sewage systems or sewage treatment plants (STPs) or to construct individual STPs, whenever applicable.

The task force can also issue appropriate orders, impose fines, penalties and other administrative sanctions to compel compliance. It can also use engineering and technological interventions to improve the water quality of Manila Bay, such as reducing the coliform level in all river systems and tributaries of Manila Bay.

It is also mandated to prepare a plan to expedite the sanitation programs of LGUs within the Manila Bay region by 2026, ensure that concerned agencies and LGUs will penalize violators of environmental laws, undertake a ‘massive’ information drive to garner public support for Manila Bay clean-up in collaboration with selected government agencies.

It is also tasked to prepare a comprehensive plan for the relocation of informal settlers along the Coast of Manila bay and submit a quarterly report to the Office of the President, detailing its efforts and the LGUs programs.

The efforts and programs to be undertaken by the Task Force will be funded by the existing budget of each member agencies.

“The convergence of the national government agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs) in 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,” the order read. – Robie de Guzman (with reports from Rosalie Coz)

Tags: Manila Bay rehab, Rodrigo Duterte

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte hit Senator Antonio Trillanes IV anew following the latter’s criticism of his controversial war on drugs and recent trip to Hong Kong.

In a statement last Sunday, Trillanes said that many Filipinos believe there are now fewer drug addicts in the Philippines because the government killed many of them without due process and opportunity for rehabilitation. The Senator was referring to a recent survey which revealed that majority of Filipinos said that they now see fewer drug addicts on the streets.

In a speech during the 9th Anniversary of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) in Davao City on Wednesday, Duterte lashed out at Trillanes for believing more the figures coming from the critics of his administration and other countries.

“A stupid senator. Trillanes said, ‘Oh they are dead, they are no more — because they are dead.’ And so? Are you not happy that I’m doing it for you instead of you, a military idiot?” Duterte said.

“You do not even know how to count. And you kowtow to the figures of foreigners. You go to America, Trillanes,” he added.

Duterte also slammed Trillanes’ claim that he went to Hong Kong to allegedly undergo a medical check up or to transfer funds in his bank accounts.

“You take on every issue. I [went] to Hong Kong to celebrate the birthday of my wife because that was the order of my daughter. And the order of my daughter, just like the order of the mayor here, I follow,” he said.

On Friday, Duterte went to Hong Kong with his partner, Cielito ‘Honeylet’ Avanceña, and their teenage daughter, Veronica. The President said they went there to celebrate Avanceña’s birthday.

The President also berated the opposition senator for nitpicking on his administration.

Trillanes is among the staunch critics of the Duterte government.

“You know what, this Trillanes, you are paying a public servant who was just there to nitpick issues.” – Robie de Guzman (with reports from Marisol Montaño)

Tags: Antonio Trillanes IV, Rodrigo Duterte

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is likely to once again be a no-show at the commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25.

Malacañang said the President is swamped with work that is why there is no chance for him to include the said celebration in his calendar of activities.

This will be the third time that the Chief Executive is not attending the EDSA anniversary rites since he assumed the presidency.

The Palace stressed that the President does not discount the essence of the EDSA People Power, and that his friendship with the Marcos Family has nothing to do with his non-attendance in the event. — Maris Federez (with reports from Rosalie Coz)

Tags: EDSA People Power, Rodrigo Duterte