President Duterte has ordered the creation of the Manila Bay Task Force to ensure the expedited and complete rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation of the coastal and marine ecosystem of Manila Bay.
In Administrative Order No. 16 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on February 19, the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is designated as chair of the Task Force. The secretaries of the Interior (DILG) and Tourism (DOT) departments, meanwhile, will serve as vice-chairpersons.
The DENR is tasked to strictly enforce the Philippine Clean Water Act on the conduct of containment, removal, and clean operations, and the exercise of supervision and control on all aspects of water quality management.
The agency will also monitor compliance with critical environmental laws, rules and regulations, and issue notices of closure, cease and desist orders, and other appropriate sanctions to violators, including the filing of cases against erring government officials.
Other members of the Task Force are the secretaries of the departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Health (DoH), and Agriculture (DA).
The chairmen of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are also members of the Task Force.
The Task Force is also comprised of the executive director of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC); administrators of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS); director of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime Group; commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA); and representatives of the Manila Water and MAYNILAD.
President Duterte has ordered the Task Force to ensure the complete rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation of the Manila Bay.
They are also instructed to require all public and private facilities to immediately connect existing sewage lines to available sewerage systems or sewerage treatment plants (STP), or to construct individual STPs. The Task Force can also impose fines, penalties, and administrative sanctions to compel compliance. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)