THE city government of Navotas has sealed an agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Coast Guard for a partnership to improve the water quality in Manila Bay.

Mayor Toby Tiangco, DENR-National Capital Region Executive Director Jacqueline Caancan, and DENR–Environmental Management Bureau-NCR Bureau Director and concurrent Regional Director Engr. William Cuñado signed the agreement.

Also among the signatories were PCG-Coast Guard District, NCR-Central Luzon Commander Commodore Charlie Rances and PCG-Maritime Safety Services Commander Vice Admiral Eduardo Fabricante.

“We welcome this partnership with the DENR and the Coast Guard. Working together is always better than working alone. We are grateful that even with the pandemic, the program to clean and rehabilitate Manila Bay remains a priority,” Tiangco said.

“We hope that through this initiative, we will soon realize our common goal of restoring the waters surrounding the city to a classification fit for fishing, swimming and other recreational water activities,” he said.

Under the MOA, the DENR-EMB-NCR will install a Water Quality Monitoring Equipment (WQME) with buoy near the coastline of Bgy. Tanza 1 to monitor the water quality of the bay.

The agency will also shoulder the cost of the monitoring equipment and installation, as well as the operating expenses of the station.

They will conduct regular inspection of the monitoring station, and share the gathered data with the other parties, if requested. A smart television monitor will be provided for this purpose.

They will also hold orientation regarding the use and operation of the WQME and provide the trained personnel access to the station for real-time monitoring.

Navotas, on the other hand, will allow the installation of the water quality monitoring station and its accessories along the coastline of the barangay, as well as the continuous operation and maintenance of the site by the DENR-EMB-NCR personnel.

Meanwhile, the PCG-MSSC will allow the entry of authorized representatives that will check and inspect the WQME.

They will also provide personnel to assist in the maintenance of the station, monitor the WQME buoy and immediately report if there is a change in location, prevent the unnecessary loss of the equipment in case of calamities, and provide other support and assistance when necessary.

They are also tasked to provide the work and financial plan for the logistical requirement stated in the agreement.

The PCG-CGDNCR-CL will provide manpower to assist in the real-time operation of the WQME, safeguard the buoy from unnecessary loss or damage caused by man or natural events, provide watercraft to rescue the buoy in case of any disaster, and assist in any way necessary to keep the monitoring station in good working condition.

The agreement is effective for 10 years and renewable upon the discretion and mutual accord of all concerned parties. However, it is subject to periodic reviews to update the parameters that affect the objectiveness and effectiveness of the project.

Last March, Navotas received recognition as the 2020 Most Compliant Local Government Unit in the implementation of the Supreme Court continuing mandamus for the clean-up and preservation of Manila Bay.