Residents defy hazards, take dip in Manila Bay

Defying authorities’ warnings of the hazards they may face, some residents continued to take a dip in Manila Bay near the United States Embassy amid the sweltering heat. Radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported Monday that the residents swam and frolicked in the waters, despite the city government’s warning the water may be contaminated. Retired police colonel Franklin Gacutan, head of the City Hall Action and Police Assistance, admitted they need to intensify their actions, including information drives, to discourage residents from taking a dip in the bay.

As early as April last year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources warned the public against taking Holy Week and summer dips in Manila Bay. Then DENR Secretary Jose Atienza Jr., who is now running for Manila mayor, particularly warned of the dangers of fecal coliform in the water there. "Swimming in Manila Bay is a health hazard. Large quantities of fecal coliform bacteria indicate a higher risk of pathogens being present in the water. Some of the diseases that people can get from swimming in dirty water are ear infection, dysentery, typhoid fever, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis and hepatitis A," Aitenza had said last year. Atienza cited data from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) that water samples from almost all of the monitoring stations in Manila Bay have high concentrations of coliform. This greatly exceeds the DENR Water Quality Criteria for Class “SB" waters of 200 Most Probable Number (MPN)/100ml. - RSJ, GMANews.TV