Drug deals, Manila Bay stench on Reporter's Notebook

Tomorrow night on GMA 7’s Reporter’s Notebook, Maki Pulido reports on drugs deals sealed so implicitly. In the Metro, bars used to be places where people go to unwind by simply having a few drinks with friends. These days, some bars have transformed into a place where illegal transactions are made. 

In certain bars, while music blares and laughter rings out, some guests whisper to each other as they close deals buying and selling drugs. Even the Internet is being used for this trade. Pulido questions in her report what the authorities are doing to address the problem.

Meanwhile, Jiggy Manicad witnesses a sunset known the world over as breathtaking. But closely, as the sun goes down now in Manila Bay, there’s a definite stench to emanate from the water. Floating garbage also rivals for one’s attention. 

Last December, the Supreme Court ordered concerned government agencies to allot funds to clean-up Manila Bay for it to regain its old glory. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the leading cause of pollution in Manila Bay is the poor sewerage system and disposal of household waste water. In 1997, water services in Metro Manila were turned over to Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water which collected sewerage fees from its customers supposedly for the establishment of waste water facilities. Manicad probes whether or not these funds were used for their intended purposes.