LandBank to businessmen: Help clean up Manila Bay

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Land Bank of the Philippines said yesterday it has been encouraging business establishments along or near Roxas Boulevard to help clean up Manila Bay.

Saturday marked the eighth year the LandBank spearheaded a Manila Bay cleanup campaign. During the previous years, it was assisted by the Manila city government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Since last year, LandBank has been asking the private sector to join the cleanup drive.

Some 650 personnel from LandBank, local government, DENR and private firms gathered at the Manila Bay Saturday morning to collect the trash along the shoreline from the Quirino Grandstand up to the Philippine Navy headquarters.

LandBank president and CEO Gilda Pico said they have solicited the support of the Manila Yacht Club, Manila Broadcasting Co., Manila Ocean Park and the Diamond Hotel.

Last year, LandBank and the six organizations signed a memorandum of agreement that formalized the Socially Responsible and United in Nurturing and Sustaining the Environment (Sunset) Program, in which they promised to utilize their technical, financial and manpower resources in order to support the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay.