The decrease of coliform levels in certain areas of Manila Bay does not equate to development of the rehabilitation, as it still does not address the sources of pollution that deteriorates its marine environment, a statement by the militant fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) said. PAMALAKAYA’s statement was in reaction to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who announced that levels of fecal coliform bacteria in major outfalls draining into Manila Bay had “drastically decreased,” one year after the government started its rehabilitation campaign. PAMALAKAYA questioned the improvements claim of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which heads the 13-agency Manila Bay Task Force, saying “ecological and marine disturbances still occur in major fishing areas of the Manila Bay.”

Casas, W. (2020, January 28). Fishers group criticizes DENR over Manila Bay rehab claim. Manila Standard, p. A6.