DENR deploys estero rangers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has deployed over 500 estero rangers in the metropolis, including Manila’s Baywalk, to help prevent floods during the rainy season.

DENR National Capital Region executive director Jacqueline Caancan said a total of 587 rangers were deployed in the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay and San Juan.

Of the number, 50 DENR rangers and 10 marshals were assigned in Manila’s Baywalk.

“They have collected from Manila Bay 5,131 sacks of waste and 408 wood and bamboo poles from June 23 to July 14,” Caancan said.

The rangers were tasked by the DENR to help local government units address the waste disposal problem and improve garbage collection in Manila Bay.

Caancan said eight out of the nine monitoring stations along the bay have registered lower fecal coliform levels.

“The most significant decrease was noted in Padre Faura station, with fecal coliform level of 7.61 million in 2019 down to 3,300 last March,” Caancan said.

Data from the Manila Bay Coordinating Office showed that a total of 14,701.60 cubic meters of solid waste have been collected by the DENR and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority from January to March this year.

With the help of volunteers, the DENR conducted cleanup in Manila Bay as well as connecting waterways and rivers with the use of trash traps and boats.

The DENR thanked its partners from the government sector, civic organizations and the department’s field offices for their support in rehabilitating Manila Bay.

“The arduous task to bring back the glory of Manila Bay is a collective effort,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said.

President Duterte, in his final State of the Nation Address yesterday, ordered the DENR to continue the bay rehabilitation.