Two weeks into the enhanced community quarantine and you probably have seen different kinds of “improvement” on the surroundings of Metro Manila posted on social media. With the air quality a lot better now according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Metro Manila skies are a lot clearer too. Hence, there are rare sights on the skyline that many people capture and share online.
For instance, we have seen photos of the Sierra Mountain Range from NCR. We have also seen different mountains from various directions of the metro’s skyline.
Now, going viral online are photos and videos of the waters of Manila Bay having a turquoise-like color that looks like the waters of Boracay.
Here are some photos and videos shared on various social media platforms.
for the first time in my life, manila bay is actually turquoise. boracay who??? i only know manila bay pic.twitter.com/fG79qeFeje
— fluffy kook⁷ ⚪ (@kookieeboi) March 26, 2020
The view seems unreal and surreal. Another video was shared on UNTV News and Rescue’s Twitter page. The clip posted on Wednesday allegedly came from DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda.
WATCH | Nature heals itself.
“Mula nang naglinis tayo sa Manila Bay ganyan ang nangyari, unang-una napigilan natin iyong pagtapon ng mga tao (ng basura). Iyong pagdagdag ng polusyon, yun ang napigilan natin.”
Video courtesy of Usec. Benny Antiporda of DENR pic.twitter.com/N5r6NUEJSO— UNTV News and Rescue (@UNTVNewsRescue) March 25, 2020
Netizens expressed their thoughts that nature is “healing” since almost everyone is on lockdown for about a couple of weeks now.
However, the DENR hasn’t made any confirmation yet regarding this.
But according to a post on the Philippine Star on Facebook:
The usual murky water of Manila Bay clears up in some areas as the natural harbor rests from usual human activities amid Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine on Thursday.
This, explains environmentalist Gregg Yan, is due to the reduced amount of pollutants discharged by factories and inbound ships, though he cites the need for testing if the color change is due to another factor “like the possible illegal dumping of chemicals into the water.”
Vince Cinches, also an environmentalist, says this should give the public a glimpse of what will happen “if we sustainably regulate activities and eradicate destructive activities not just in Manila Bay but in other parts of the country as well.”
A post from Twitter said, “di iyan ganoon lang kabilis mangyayari given na eutrophic ang Manila Bay at ilang years pa bago ito marerehabilitate.”
(Rough translation: It won’t happen that fast given that Manila Bay is eutrophic and it would take many years for it to be rehabilitated.)
Medyo disturbing ang kumakalat na photos na luminis bigla ang Manila Bay dahil daw ilang araw nang nakaquarantine ang mga tao. Dahil di iyan ganoon lang kabilis mangyayari given na eutrophic ang Manila Bay at ilang years pa bago ito marerehabilitate. pic.twitter.com/el884jecPJ
— Mangingisda #SaveTaliptip (@MangingisdaSays) March 26, 2020
Apparently, this is not new in Manila Bay. In 2014, a similar incident has happened in its waters, according to a report from ABS-CBN.
Upon learning about this, the Philippine Coast Guard visited the place but they were not able to see any clear water. Additionally, according to the video, ship operators and locals from the area interviewed at that time said the water immediately returned to its murky state once agitated.
What are your thoughts on this? Share them with us.
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