Before visiting the Philippines, a lot of foreigner friends are asking us: “can we swim in the sea of Manila?” Just like what they do in Bondi Beach in Sydney, or the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, basically a beach in the city?
It iIt is not advisable today: the waters of Manila Bay are one of the most polluted in the country. Unfortunately, waste from commercial establishments, toxic from industrial, domestic sewage, etc., are being discharged into it. To the point, Manila Bay, a natural harbor of the city, is one of the most toxic areas, (see below).
Things are starting to change.
Lately, a rehabilitation of Manila Bay, initiated by some government agencies, such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), has given real hope to the citizens of Manila. On January 27, more than 5000 government agents and volunteers kickstarted the cleanup of the Manila Bay.
The results were very impressive. From a very unsafe-looking, with layers and layers of garbage, we can now see its sand. The before and after pictures are just awesome:
We often see places like that getting dirty again some days after cleanups, so, we really hope these changes will remain permanent. We won’t say to our foreigner friends that they can swim now. But hopefully, one day it will be possible. Actually a Filipino friend said that Filipinos used to swim there in the 1950s- 1960s. During a time when establishments, and housing were not that rampant. If it once happened, there is still a chance that it can happen again.
Last Saturday was a demonstration that together we can do so much and for that, we are sharing this news. If you want to join the next clean up drive, here is how you can:
