Manila Bay: Cleaner Than Before

Manila Bay used to be clean and safe to swim in. And that was decades ago before  Manila Bay was turned into Metro Manila's sewage basin and trash bin.

Manila Bay appears to be cleaner than before! I am grateful that serious efforts by the government, the private sector, and everyone too many to mention are, at the very least, showing commendable changes in the water quality at Harbour Square. There are still plastics and other forms of garbage floating around the Baywalk. However, if you have been in the area years before and you find yourself again near Manila Bay, you would definitely say that the water is much cleaner now.

Without taking into account whether or not using Dolomite to transform an area in Manila Bay into a Boracay-like beach is a good idea, improvement can be seen in terms of cleanliness. Imagine how great it would be if the waters of Manila Bay is good enough for swimming. No need to drive to Batangas or fly to faraway areas just to experience the sun, sea, and sand! Imagine the jobs a clean Manila Bay can bring.

Recall that one of the most beautiful postcards inspiring sunset in the World occurs every day in Manila Bay. That sunset, a God-given gift, free for everyone to enjoy, has not changed until today! People flock to what they call the Baywalk in the Mall of Asia (MOA) to enjoy this sunset.  The experience can be much better if the bay smells just like what it is expected to be.

It takes more than a decision from the Philippine Supreme Court and Orders from top government officials to clean Manila Bay. Everyone needs to cooperate, if not contribute something to the prior efforts that have been undertaken to clean Manila Bay. All of us should change our attitude in handling trash and plastics. Instead of throwing garbage in the river, drainage or canals let us follow mandated segregation schemes in disposing of what we no longer need.

The best way to judge whether or not Manila Bay is cleaner than before is simply to take time and see it for yourself. Your opinion will, of course, be respected. If it is otherwise, we should all help in continuously cleaning Manila Bay. This is the time for more action and less lip service.

Just like everyone, I share the dream that one day Manila Bay will be transformed into what it was before. Old photos of Manila Bay, if viewed today, evokes sadness given its current situation but also provide an inspiration that somehow the past can be relived through a cleaner Manila Bay.