Duterte forms task force to expedite Manila Bay rehabilitation
Credit to Author: CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT| Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2019 03:03:35 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
Administrative Order (AO) 16, or the order “expediting the rehabilitation and restoration of the coastal and marine ecosystem of the Manila Bay and creating the Manila Bay task force,” was signed by Duterte on February 19.
“The convergence of the national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) in the Manila Bay region and the active participation of private and public stakeholders, are necessary to facilitate the robust and integrated implementation of all rehabilitation and restoration efforts at the Manila Bay,” Duterte said in his eight-page order.
The President assigned Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu as the chairman of the inter-agency task force while Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Tourism Chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat would serve as vice chairmen.
Other members of the task force include the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Manila Water Company, and Maynilad Water Services Incorporated, among others.
The task force is mandated to enforce relevant provisions of Presidential Decree 856 or the Code of Sanitation of the Philippines as amended, Republic Act 9275 and RA 9003 to ensure the complete rehabilitation, restoration and conservation of Manila Bay.
It can also “require all government facilities and other establishments, including households to immediately connect existing sewage lines to available sewage systems or sewage treatment plants (STPs) or to construct individual STPs, whenever applicable, as well as to issue appropriate orders, impose fines, penalties, and other administrative sanctions to compel compliance thereof.”
In collaboration with the Anti-Poverty Commission, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, National Housing Authority and affected local government units (LGUs), the task force is also asked to prepare and commence the implementation of a comprehensive plan for massive relocation of informal settlers along Manila Bay.
The task force is also mandated to “ensure that the concerned agencies and LGUs undertake appropriate measures relative to violation of environmental laws such as, but not limited to, demolition, closure or cessation of business and/or filing of administrative action against erring persons or establishment.”
In collaboration with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Presidential Communications Operations Office and affected LGUs, and in partnership with the private sector and non-government organizations, the task force is also ordered to facilitate a massive information, education and communication drive to garner public support on the Manila Bay clean-up.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Trade and Industry are tasked to provide social welfare and livelihood assistance to families affected by the cleanup and rehabilitation efforts.
“All heads of government departments, bureaus and offices, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby enjoined to extend full support to the Task Force in the performance of its mandates under this Order,” AO 16 read.
The task force is also asked to submit a quarterly report on the implementation of this Order to the Office of the President, through the Office of Executive Secretary.
“Such report shall include the actions taken by the LGUs and recommendations on amendment of existing laws and issuances in order to respond to existing conditions,” the Order said.
Meanwhile, the task force’s funding shall be sourced from existing appropriations of its member-agencies and other appropriate funding sources as the Department of Budget and Management may identify, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing laws and regulations.
The order, released by the Palace on Thursday, takes effect immediately.
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