02 MAY 2021, SUNDAY Headline STRATEGIC May 02, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 1 of 2 Opinion Page Feature Article
02 MAY 2021, SUNDAY Headline STRATEGIC May 02, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 1 of 2 Opinion Page Feature Article DENR to issue violation notice against shipowner for discharging untreated wastewater into Manila Bay By DENRPublished on May 1, 2021 QUEZON CITY, May 1 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday (April 28) said it will be issuing a Notice of Violation against the owner of MV Sarangani after it was identified as the source of the untreated wastewater that was dumped in Manila Bay over the weekend. It may be recalled that on Monday (April 26), Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu visited the priority area of the Manila Bay rehabilitation where he discussed the incident with representatives of the Philippine Coast Guard, the local government of Manila, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Laguna Lake Development Authority, Manila Bay Coordinating Office, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). “After the investigation, if the shipowner is found liable, the DENR will impose fines. Additionally, the owner has to rehabilitate the vessel to avoid destruction to the environment, and the pollution of our waters,” said Cimatu. “We hope to get to the bottom of this issue during the investigation,” the environment chief added. DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones said that samples taken from the actual discharge area showed an effluent fecal coliform count of 1,700 most probable number per 100 milliliters (MPN/100 mL), based on the report of EMB. This is higher than the standard effluent fecal coliform of 200 MPN/100 mL.
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