Manila Bay once again disturbs coastal communities after a pile of trash surfaced along its shores after Typhoon Nida visited the Philippines. The pile of garbage was seen floating all over the Manila Bay that is now creating a concern over the residents and businesses located near the area. The trash can be seen entirely along the coastlines of Manila Bay, covering the beautiful walkways of Roxas Boulevard. The scenario made an unpleasant look on the Bay that can further degrade the image of Metro Manila.
Another problem is the awful smell that the trash brings along the coast of Manila Bay. All by-passers are disturbed by the odor that the garbage emits across the stretch of the Manila Bay's coastlines. The odor is unpleasant enough to cause allergic reactions to the upper respiratory tract for individuals who are suffering from a sensitive upper and lower respiratory tract. This is another concern because it can risk the health of all individuals who passes through the stretch of the Manila Bay.
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| Sea of garbage is the new view overlooking the Manila Bay from Roxas Boulevard |
Even days after the Typhoon, there are still several piles of garbage floating towards the shores of the Manila Bay area that are still concerning residents, business owners, and the authorities. Residents are also helping with the government officials to further eliminate piles of garbage materials that are covering the shores of Manila Bay. However, the problem is still a very challenging scenario because the garbage never goes away from the shores of Manila Bay.
Garbage collectors from other parts of Metro Manila were called through the initiative of Manila Mayor's office, City of Pasay, City of Navotas, and other parts of Metro Manila to help with the collection of garbage from the Manila Bay. Nearby provinces such as Bulacan and Cavite were also prompted by the authorities in Manila to help with the elimination of garbage from the Manila Bay. Authorities believe that the pile of trash that are coming through the stretch of Manila coastline could slow down after few days while there is no new tropical disturbance that will hit the area.
Causes of garbage pile up in the Manila Bay
1. Effects of Typhoon Nida: The Coriolis effect of typhoons in the northern hemisphere makes circulating storms to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. Since Typhoon Nida came from the east then moves towards the west, the circulation of the storm is causing the wind to flow from the open sea towards the eastern shores of Manila Bay. All garbage thrown by the northern and southern shores of Manila Bay will go towards the eastern shores of Metro Manila, causing to pile up a sea of floating trash.
2. Poor sanitary discipline: This is one of the major problems of residents living across the stretch of Manila Bay. Residents including several businesses dump their wastes towards the Manila Bay, causing a significant environmental concern to Manila Bay's ecological integrity. Poor disciplinary action towards the treatment of sanitary treatments by residents contributes with the piling of garbage towards the Manila Bay.
3. Sewerages across the Manila Bay: Another problem is the existence of sewerage facilities that dumps garbage and other hazardous waste materials towards that body of water. Most businesses and residents across Metro Manila and nearby provinces linked their canals that dump wastes that can go further towards rivers and then through the Manila Bay.
4. Lack of garbage collection facilities: The Philippines is still experiencing problems when it comes to funding numerous facilities to collect garbage across the country. As a concern, lack of wastes being left behind, unable to be collected by the authorities responsible for maintaining the sanitation of the community. There are just a few trucks, waterway cleaning facilities, and other environmental facilities that should have been ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the community.
Major effects of garbage in the Manila Bay
1. Environmental impact: This is the most concerning issue when it comes to garbage build up in the Manila Bay. These garbages can easily wipe out any living organisms thriving within its waterways that should have been an important source of food supply for other organisms. When organisms are gone, it could create an imbalance with the ecological integrity of the environment to sustain food supply, better environmental atmosphere, and safety for the remaining organisms.
2. Health hazards: Foul smell coming from the garbage is an indicative sign that you are inhaling a toxic chemical released by the trash. It can cause a respiratory risk or hazard that might cause your body to suffer from upper respiratory tract irritation and eventually infection build up. Your skin will be injured as there are sharp objects that might cause abrasions or irritations. In addition, punctured wounds from a very sharp object could integrate harmful microorganism that might cause infections to your body.
3. Economic hazards: Government authorities usually allocates a significant amount of funds to activate more garbage collection activities that will eliminate wastes. They will pay for the labor for these employees, the facilities that will be used, and the energy source used by the vehicles that will power them to collect garbage from the Manila Bay. Funds that should have been allocated for feeding program or construction of new infrastructure will now be used for the garbage collection activities.
Residents, Businesses are advised to practice waste segregation and proper disposal seriously to prevent harmful impacts that can be brought about by the piling of waste materials in the Manila Bay.
