Over 162,000 kgs of waste from Manila Bay removed in Pasig River

MORE THAN 162,000 KGS OF WASTE FROM MANILA BAY REMOVED BY PRRC IN PASIG RIVER VIA MASSIVE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS (Photo:
Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission – PRRC/Facebook)

MANILA — The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) hauled 162,390 kilograms of waste (5,413 sacks of garbage), which were pushed by the high tide in Manila Bay into the Pasig River, during a series of massive clean-up operations which started last April 27.

The huge volume of waste along Pasig River at present is caused by the backflow of Manila Bay — a natural phenomenon observed especially this time of the year, by the San Juan River and some esteros draining garbage and polluted water after the recent heavy rains.

PRRC’s River Warriors, River Patrols, River Watch, and other employees are doing manual clean-up daily with the use of limited cleaning implements and utilizing two small trash boats.

Clean-up operations are done in San Juan River and Manila, including the Malacañang area.

PRRC is now placing new trash traps and continuously cleaning up San Juan River — one of the major tributaries of the 47 identified waterways connected to the Pasig River and carries the wastes of the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Quezon.

PRRC’s clean-up operations will continue in the following weeks to ensure that the rehabilitation efforts at the historic and award-winning Pasig River System are maintained and sustained.

PRRC will also conduct a joint Pasig River clean-up with the Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday, May 11, 2019, together with interagency partners and volunteers.

“I am calling for the support of everyone, including our fellow government agencies, local government units, and all sectors of society to help us, the PRRC, in our efforts to clean, save, and protect the Pasig River as part of our obligation to our environment and in support of the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Manila Bay led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),” said PRRC Executive Director Jose Antonio Goitia.