The Philippines’ Public Works and Highways Secretary, Mark A. Villar, has announced that the dredging operations are set to begin in Manila Bay, following the completion of data gathering activities of the DPWH-Bureau of Equipment.
“Our Bureau of Equipment has conducted bathymetric or depth measurement survey, water quality test, and ocular inspection at Manila Bay and Navotas River. The result of these surveys will be the basis of dredging activities in the coming weeks ,” said Secretary Villar.
Citing a report from DPWH-BOE Director, Toribio Noel Ilao, Secretary Villar said that dredging will be the major mechanism for the removal of the accumulated pollutants in Manila Bay and the bathymetric survey is necessary to estimate the amount of material to be removed and specify the areas that must be given focus during the clean-up.
To achieve the dredging goals, DPWH will use the following equipment: amphibious excavators, dumping scows, dump trucks, debris segregator, street sweepers, and vacuum sewer cleaner that will be strategically deployed starting by the last week of February to the first week of March.
DPWH will also procure this year additional spider excavators and trash skimmer to assist in the rehabilitation efforts.