Pasig River swimming ban sought

Pointing out the health dangers of swimming in the dirty Pasig River, a Manila City councilor has filed an ordinance discouraging residents from bathing in it.

"It is unhealthy and hazardous for individuals to swim in the river," said Councilor Luciano "Lou" Veloso, of the city’s Sixth District.

In his bill, Veloso said all barangay officials, whose jurisdictions include the banks of the Pasig River, will be ordered to inform residents of the dangers of swimming in the river through billboards.

Among the billboard slogans Veloso has suggested includes; "Kung gusto mong madisgrasya, sa Ilog Pasig maligo ka (If you want to get sick, swim in the Pasig River!").

According to Veloso, those who violate the proposed ordinance will be required to render community service of not more than 40 hours.

Veloso’s bill has been referred to the Manila City Council Committee on Health for further study.

Meanwhile, Manila Fifth District Councilor Cita Astals has also proposed an ordinance for the charting of Manila Bay.

Astals said her proposed bill aims to assist the effective enforcement of the existing environmental and fishery laws in Manila Bay.

If approved, Astals said the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) would be tapped by the Manila City government to conduct the charting of the bay’s waters trough the Global Positioning System (GPS). – Mike Frialde and Cecille Suerte Felipe