(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte has created a task force to expedite the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
Under Administrative Order No. 16 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Feb. 19, the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is chair of the task force, while the secretaries of the Departments of the Interior and Local Government and of Tourism are the vice-chairpersons.
Other members of the task force include the heads of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, the Local Water Utilities Administration the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System, the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, the Philippine Coast Guard and of the Philippine Ports Authority.
Representatives of the Manila Water and MAYNILAD are also members of the task force.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry, on the other hand, will provide immediate assistance, including livelihood assistance, to those affected by the clean-up.
The order said the task force, which shall require all public and private facilities to immediately connect existing sewage lines to available sewerage systems or sewerage treatment plants build individual STPs, can impose fines and sanctions to ensure compliance.
“The convergence of the national government agencies and local government units in the 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 said.