Buhay Party-list Representative Lito Atienza expressed disappointment over the project of the Department of Environment and National Resources in Manila Bay.
In an interview with One News, Atienza said that the “white sand” being put in Manila Bay would not change the fact that the waters in the said tourist spot were still unsafe for the people.
According to him, DENR is not addressing the problem of Manila Bay directly and wasting the money of the people.
“We are not addressing the problem correctly, lipstick nang lipstick ang ginagawa mo. Pinapaganda mo ang mukha, pero hindi mo naman inaayos ‘yung tunay na sanhi ng problema. Kaya sayang ang pera,” Atienza said.
“Either Sec. Cimatu and Usec. Antiporda, mag swimming kayo diyan. Kapag ka kayo ay nakalulon ng isang kutsarita ng tubig sa Manila Bay, palagay ko matagal kayo sa ospital,” he added.
He even cautioned the people not to eat seashells being caught in Manila Bay.
“Mali ‘yung sinasabi ng DENR na mabubuhay ulit ang mga shell fish dito… Lason pa rin ‘yan. Huwag kayong kakain ng talaba, tahong, at anumang galing sa Manila Bay until all the sewage, ‘yung dumi ng ating mga toilet, ay mapigil na ang pagdaloy diyan,” said Atienza.
On September 8, Atienza blamed the two water concessionaires operating in National Capital Region for making Manila Bay polluted.
He said that the waters of Manila Bay would remain unswimmable as long as the two companies are not cleaning the water.
Atienza became Mayor of Manila City and also Environment Secretary.