Reflection Paper on the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program or “ The Battle of Manila Bay”

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is one of the primary government
agency tasked to manage and safeguard the country's natural resources and the environment.
However, everyone has to understand that this is also everyone’s responsibility, taking care of our
country and its rich natural resources and biodiversity should be everyone’s obligation. This message
was repeatedly showed in the two videos I had just watched. Furthermore, the videos also emphasized
the importance of solidarity as well as eliminating the toxic culture of being all talk and no walk.

In relation to that message, I have to admit that there were a lot of instances that I was just
“all talk and no walk” when the subject is about environmental protection specifically proper waste
management , I was also one of those people who would say that I will start planting trees , but not
actually doing it, albeit it was just towards my siblings. So, I would definitely agree to this statement
from one of the two videos, there is a greater need to clean first the culture of the Filipino people.
And this is actually hard, people these days seems to be a bit more stubborn and indifferent. But , I
also believe , nothings impossible. Hence, the Manila Bay rehabilitation , it just proved that change
can happen.

But again ,it was not easy, the video also stated that at first ,some baranggays did not
immediately comply to the mandate to clean up Manila Bay, and to restore the quality of its waters,
until a show cause order was given. The struggle was not only in finding ways to solve the problem of
water pollution but also the attitude of the people. Fortunately, in the end, despite these issues, the
battle was successful, the Filipino citizens or volunteers, private sectors, local government units, and
government agencies specifically the ones included in the Mandamus task force, were successful in
the almost impossible task, to restore the beauty of Manila Bay. It is also important to note that, the
feat did not only benefit the environment, it was more of a blessing to the people living near the Bay.
They were given new home, one lady said that they would live again near the waters of Manila Bay,
in their new place they have clean water as well as electricity ,but most importantly they were safe
and in much better health conditions. However, it doesn’t also mean that the Manila Bay did not
improve for it was found that fecal coliform levels in the water of Manila Bay decreased, in some areas
the waters are already safe to bathe . Unlike its previous poor and dirty condition, the Manila Bay now
is also much conducive for fishing. Ecotourism sites were also established to serve as additional
sanctuaries, waterways were cleared of cleared of thousands of cubic meters of silt and water
hyacinths. Fisheries and maritime laws were strictly enforced and to support all these, strategic
communication, education, and mobilization efforts were conducted , while existing biodiversity areas
were further protected and conserved.

Truly, the effort of those people and agencies were remarkable, but the thing is that there is
still a huge possibility of Manila Bay going back to its previous state. However , this can be prevented,
Filipinos only have to follow the same practices done to Manila Bay, so that not only a small portion
of the population will feel the benefits of a cleaner environment, but most importantly the whole
country, and later on the whole world. This will be another challenge but we have to understand that
there’s no other way to save our planet, ourselves, and the future generations unless we change the
present, change our old ways and stop the indifference toward the state of our environment today.