The Duterte administration has allotted a whopping P47-billion budget for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay that may include as well the desilting of clogged esteros and clean-up of heavily polluted river tributaries and creeks connected to the historic bay once known for its pristine waters and spectacular sunsets. The ambitious seven-year project, dubbed the “Battle for Manila Bay,” was launched on January 27, 2019, and has so far spent an initial P1.7 billion to bankroll the initial clean-up activities since it was unveiled in an event participated by more than 5,000 project supporters. Several host projects were implemented since then by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), lead agency of the Manila Bay Task Force, documents obtained by the BusinessMirror showed.

Mayuga, J. L. (2020, October 3). Whatever it takes: Gov't claims initial victory with P1.7B spent out of P47B 7-year outlay to win ‘Battle for Manila Bay’. Business Mirror, pp. A1, A2.