MANILA, Philippines — Three commercial establishments were slapped with cease and desist orders by the government for "generating and discharging pollutive wastewater" as the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay kicks off.
Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Manila Bay rehabilitation plan proposed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. He allocated P42.95 billion for the implementation of the project within three years.
Related Stories
On Sunday, the government gave cease and desist orders to the following establishments for polluting the Manila Bay:
- Aristocrat Restaurant
- Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin Restaurant
- The Esplanade San Miguel by the Bay
According to the DENR, authorities immediately cut off the water sources of the three establishments to prevent them from discharging wastewater, although they can still operate their businesses. There’s a possibility that the establishments will be permanently closed in the next few days, the DENR said.
Meanwhile, officials of the following establishments will be summoned to explain what "remedial measures" they will implement after they were given “notices” for violating the Clean Water Act.
- Aliw Inn
- SM Corporate Offices
- SM Prime Holdings, SM Mall of Asia
- Lola Taba & Lolo Pato (Seaside Commercial Spaces)
- SM Prime Holdings – SM Ferry Terminal (MOA complex)
- SMDC Residences Condominium
“This is a battle that will be won not with force or arms but with the firm resolve to bring Manila Bay back to life,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said in a statement. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral