The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in collaborative rehabilitation efforts of Manila Bay with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Adopt-an-Estero Program, participated in a simultaneous cleanup drive on March 19 and 26, 2022.
DPWH NCR Regional Office, together with its District Engineering Offices, has declogged and cleared the following waterways in the cities of Malabon, Navotas, Caloocan, San Juan, Quezon, Taguig, Makati, and Pasay – portions of Makati Diversion channel, Manila Bay, Navotas Marine Tree Park, San Juan River, Spinal Creek/Estero de Lapu Lapu Creek, Maytunas Creek, and Congo Creek.
The yearly commitment of cleanup drive aims to address the perennial flooding problem that is widely experienced in the metropolis, caused by discarded waste and heavy silt clogging the esteros and creeks, the major river systems, then carrying into Manila Bay. Regional Director Nomer Abel P. Canlas commended the NCR maintenance crew for bearing the heat and health hazards in the name of public service to help protect our environment, on top of working even on weekends. DPWH NCR hopes that the undertaking will help involve communities and raise environmental awareness, especially to the residents and LGUs living near the esteros and rivers to be actively responsible in keeping Metro Manila’s waterways clean and safe.