Chief of the Supreme Court ‘satisfied’ with DENR’s work in Manila Bay

MANILA, Philippines – Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said Wednesday that he was satisfied with the efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to comply with a 2008 Supreme Court order to clean up the polluted waters of the bay. from Manila.

It took note of the water improvements made by DENR’s wastewater treatment plant, which processes dirty water from the “estuaries” before pouring it into the bay.

“The purpose of the continual mandamus is to clean the water. If you ask me if I am satisfied, I am satisfied because the water is clean, ”Peralta told reporters after touring the artificial white sand beach on a stretch of the coast of Manila Bay with Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu .

He said he based his statement on the water quality report.

Plant Engineer Report

“I saw the wastewater treatment. The water that came out was clean, ”he said, citing the water treatment plant engineer report that the fecal coliform level was now 49 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters, which is below the required minimum level. of 200 MPN / 100 ml. .

“That means that the water that is thrown into the bay from the estuaries is already clean,” added Peralta.

On December 18, 2008, the Supreme Court granted a petition from a group of residents concerned about the polluted bay and issued a permanent order ordering government agencies led by DENR to rehabilitate Manila Bay and restore its waters to safe levels. to swim. -diving and other forms of “contact recreation”.

Among the 13 government agencies that were ordered to clean the bay were the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Metropolitan Aqueduct and Sewerage System.

Dolomite discharge

The chief magistrate declined to comment on the artificial beach created by DENR with pulverized dolomite, due to a case pending before the Supreme Court.

He was referring to a petition filed by party list group Akbayan on September 24 asking the court to cite DENR in contempt for violating its 2008 order to rehabilitate Manila Bay when it dumped pulverized dolomite along a short stretch. off the coast near the US Embassy.

Akbayan said that the artificial beach was a “window decoration project” that would harm the environment and people who will be exposed to dolomite particles, which is normally used as a building material.

Peralta visited the beach after requesting a briefing from the DENR on the status of the Manila Bay cleanup. He was joined by Associate Magistrates Rodil Zalameda, Mario López, Edgardo delos Santos and Ricardo Rosario.

Speaking about Manila Bay’s rehabilitation efforts during a press conference on Wednesday, Undersecretary for the Environment Benny Antiporda noted that the edges of the man-made beach looked darker these days, but that didn’t mean that the dolomite was being dragged.

‘To wash’

“What happened was a wash. The dark sand came in and got on top of the white dolomite, ”he said.

“In other words, nothing was washed. The white dolomite was not depleted, we just had more black sand under the sea ”, he added.

He was reacting to criticism that the beautification project was a waste of money as the storms would simply wash away the dolomite.

Two to three inches of black sand were on top of the white dolomite, and more black sand was likely on top, he said.

That is why the beach is supposed to be cleaned and maintained, as is done in other parts of the world, Antiporda said.

“We are not keeping it now because it is still under the jurisdiction of the contractor,” he said.

UP scientists, experts

Antiporda also lashed out at marine scientists and biologists from the University of the Philippines (UP) who had criticized the project.

In separate statements, the UP Institute of Marine Sciences (MSI) and UP Diliman Biology Institute said the P389 million beautification effort would not solve the root cause of environmental problems in Manila Bay and could even have an adverse impact on the ecosystems that thrive in it.

Antiporda said that UP experts had no right to criticize the Dolomites beach project “because you had been paid.”

“That’s all I can tell UP,” he said.

He rebuked them for allegedly accepting payment for their consulting services when they had already been paid as “village scholars”.

He said the DENR had paid “500 million” since 2016 to consult with UP experts, and the amount did not include infrastructure projects. He also asked for an audit of the funds given to UP.

“As far as I know, UP is supposed to be free. Why are you accusing the government after people funded your education? Antiporda said.

“And now that we’re doing something good, do we have to pay you?” added.

Mangrove plantation

He rejected his proposal to plant mangroves because that “will destroy the landscape.”

“That won’t look good. At the same time, the mangroves would not grow well in the area, ”said Antiporda.

In an email interview, UP MSI Director Laura David welcomed any audits.

He said the “correct amount” they received was P364,073,909.40 over the past decade for 10 projects “in collaboration with DENR and co-sponsoring support for a symposium.”

David said the money funded scientific research and research, including the use of research laboratories and equipment and support for research assistants.

It also supported the training of personnel from national government agencies and institutions of higher education.

He said it was inaccurate to say that the amount paid was for inquiries only, and that no “infrastructure” had been created since 2016.

Contract service

“Perhaps Sir Antiporda is not familiar with DENR’s contract service with UP, that none of it is consulting,” he told the Inquirer. “All of them are for research and capacity building.”

In a statement Tuesday, the UP MSI reaffirmed its commitment to a partnership with DENR, but emphasized that while consultations can be provided free of charge, scientific research is not free.

“These are typical costs that clients tend to bear, because UP MSI is not a line agency in the executive branch of government,” David said. “We do not have access to funds that would answer questions that need further investigation.”

He stressed that all of the institute’s research and development activities are project-based, with very specific guidelines and limitations for the disbursement of funds.

The institute’s funds for its internal maintenance and other operating expenses are limited to maintaining laboratory facilities and field equipment at its institute in Diliman, and at the Bolinao Marine Laboratory, which is spearheading the study of giant clams in the province of Pangasinan.

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