The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has turned over 11 units of backhoes-on-barge to local government units (LGUs) for use in the continuing effort to clean up rivers and waterways flowing out to the Manila Bay under a project costing P491.46 million.
Recipients of the heavy equipment include the local governments of Malabon, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, Taguig, San Fernando in Pampanga, Obando in Bulacan and Bacoor in Cavite.
“We encourage the LGUs to use these backhoes-on-barge not only for the cleanup and dredging of the waterways and coastal areas of the Manila Bay region but also to help avert floods that threaten lives and properties in many vulnerable communities as a result of climate change,” said DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, in a statement.
Loyzaga said the turnover was made possible by the partnership forged in 2021 between the DENR and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to provide LGUs with tools and heavy equipment to dredge and desilt waterways and collect submerged garbage as part of the continuing rehabilitation efforts in the Manila Bay.
“LGUs play a pivotal role in the success of the Manila Bay rehabilitation initiatives. I commend the dedication of our local leaders who have been our partners in implementing innovative solid waste management programs in their areas of jurisdiction such as the installation of trash traps and cleanup of rivers and esteros,” Loyzaga said.
The Manila Bay rehabilitation was mandated by the Supreme Court (SC) in a continuing mandamus order dated 18 December 2008 and required the DENR, DPWH, LGUs as well as the Manila Water and Maynilad concessions.
Other measures implemented by participants include engineering and technological assistance to improve water quality of esteros and waterways that empty into the bay, the rehabilitation of old sewer lines in the National Capital Region and the relocation of informal settler families residing in the vicinity of Manila Bay.
Since 2019, more than 1.1 million cubic meters of solid wastes and silt have been dredged from the river systems, esteros and coastal areas in the bay region.
Last year, the DENR also turned over four backhoes-on-barge to the cities of Paranaque, Las Piñas and Bacoor to clean their river systems and tributaries.
