(PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plans to implement measures against wading and swimming in the water along the recently re-opened Manila Bay dolomite beach in Manila.
Such a plan aims to protect public health as DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones said the concentration of fecal coliform bacteria in its water is still high.
"The water appears clean but is not yet safe so we have to place limits there," he said after people flocked to the beach that re-opened on October 16 this year.
The development of the dolomite beach comprises Phase 1 of the beach nourishment project the DENR is undertaking as part of Manila Bay's rehabilitation.
The DENR-led rehabilitation aims to make Manila Bay's water fit again for swimming and other contact recreational activities as the Supreme Court ordered in 2008.
Among the rehabilitation activities the government is undertaking to comply with the order is cleaning the waters of Manila Bay and its tributaries to reduce the coliform level.
To further help protect public health, the DENR is reminding the dolomite beach's prospective visitors to observe basic health protocols against the coronavirus disease while in the area.
The protocols are wearing face masks, maintaining at least one meter distance from other people, and washing hands frequently. (PNA)
