Some people feel that a beach is only truuuuuly a beach if people can swim in it — and, well … agreed!
However, we also believe that a clean and safe environment is essential. So, to that point — unfortunately, due to illegal dumping and decades of neglect resulting in high levels of pollution, swimming is currently not allowed at the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach. Effort continues to be made to clean up the Bay and comply with the Supreme Court Mandamus of 2008 ordering the rehabilitation and preservation of Manila Bay.
The below timeline tracks the exciting progress toward achieving the goal of 100 MPN/100mL — and swimming!
Based on the latest water quality monitoring data from the DENR-EMB office, the average fecal coliform concentration for the month of February 2023 at the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach is 570MPN/100mL.
Based on the latest water quality monitoring data from the DENR-EMB office, the average fecal coliform concentration for the month of January 2023 at the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach is 490 MPN/100mL.
Based on the water quality monitoring data from the DENR-EMB office, the average fecal coliform concentration for the year around the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach is 6400MPN/100mL.
Based on the water quality monitoring data from the DENR-EMB office, the average fecal coliform concentration for the year around the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach is 19,700MPN/100mL.
Based on the water quality monitoring data from the DENR-EMB office, the average fecal coliform concentration for the year around the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach is 14,300,000MPN/100mL.
Based on the water quality monitoring data from the DENR-EMB office, the average fecal coliform concentration for the year around the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach is 30,400,000MPN/100mL.
Please note that the geomean — the geometric mean, a form of calculated average — is used to determine water cleanliness by identifying the overall level of fecal contamination in a body of water, based on a series of individual measurements taken over time.
When reviewing the above information, it is clear that there has been tremendous progress — and we should be incredibly enthused, excited and optimistic! However, we must also remain grounded in the understanding that Manila Bay is a very large body of water, and the above results only tell a part of this very exciting story.
The Battle for Manila Bay — and the battle for the emergence of a truuuue beach life in Manila — continues.