Around 300,000 fisherfolks are expected to benefit from the latest clean-up drive of the Manila Bay through the joint efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), Villar Sipag Foundation, and Local Government Units (LGU’s).
During the kick-off ceremony themed “Manila Bay: Gawing MMK” held at Kawit, Cavite on June 20, 2018, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol shared that the deteriorating condition of Manila Bay is evident.
“The dirty bodies of water are severely affecting our food production and so this is a big challenge for us,” he shared.
“If we will not clean Manila Bay, our future generation will suffer. They may not be able to see fishes swim in our seas.” Piñol added.
In line with this, the agri chief directed BFAR Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona to conduct a monthly assessment as part of the continuing clean-up drives as well as tap private sectors to assist in the efforts.
Senator Cynthia Villar – Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Food encouraged everyone to stop dumping plastic materials in seas, rivers and other bodies of water due to effects that pose harm on sea resources.
The senator added that there are a number of bills filed in the Upper House which will obligate the producer of various consumer products to take charge of collecting and recycling waste products. These include companies that produce food and beverage, and health and beauty products, among others.
The coastal clean-up includes planting of mangrove trees in Kawit which will stretch up to Bacoor and other provinces surrounding Manila Bay.
During the event, Villar turned over two plastic boats to the LGU’s of Kawit and Bacoor made from recycled beverage bottles by members of the Villar Sipag Foundation.
The drive is an offshoot of the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan project of DA and BFAR, which recognizes coastal communities for their outstanding efforts in coastal resource management. During the recently staged 2017 MMK Awards, the municipality of Laguindingan of Misamis Oriental bagged the grand prize, which came with 30 million peso worth of fisheries livelihood projects. ### (Carlos Cezar Baldosa, DA-AFID)
