MANILA — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Sunday day called on the city government of Manila to boost efforts in preventing the public from swimming in the dirty waters of Manila Bay.
“The local government should increase the security in the areas surrounding Manila Bay,” Duque said in an interview.
Duque said swimming in the filthy water of the bay can cause various diseases, especially water-borne diseases.
He said the bay is filled with various human and industrial wastes.
“And this might lead to several diseases that may cause us to regret later on,” Duque said.
Some of the diseases that can result from swimming in the bay are diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
Aside from the illnesses, swimmers can also catch some skin diseases and eye infections.
As an advice, the Department of Health said that public should instead go to public swimming pools run by local government units.
Before the declaration of “summer” or dry season by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has also reminded those going to the area and to beat the summer heat to instead go to the various public swimming pools in the city.