The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) through the Fertilizer Regulations Division continues to conduct information campaign and water quality monitoring activities in support to the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Project.

For the period, the FRD focused its operations in barangays Pilar and Balanga in Bataan and in barangays Calamba, Cabuyao and Pakil in the Province of Laguna. It is in these areas where the Talisay River, Masuaje River, Cabuyao River, San Juan River, and Malaking Ilog runs through and exits to the Manila Bay as the catch basin.

A total of seven information, education and communication (IEC) activities for the farmers and 12 water monitoring activities were conducted. The water quality monitoring is being facilitated before and after the conduct of information dissemination on the safe and judicious use of fertilizer and pesticide. The water samples resulted in obtaining 186 parameters after these were subjected into laboratory analysis.

Water samples collected are being monitored with the following parameters: nitrate, phosphate, zinc, nickel, chromium, copper, lead and pH. Accordingly, water quality can be also affected by other factors that goes beyond use of commercial fertilizer and pesticides like spills from industrial establishments and residential sewages.

The FRD said that the efforts in the information drive to the farmers and the implementation of proper local waste disposal are both essential in providing a scientific basis for improving the water quality or maintaining the current condition of all connected rivers and waterways of the Manila Bay.

Since the launch of the project in 2011, different government agencies involved in the project work collaboratively in an effort to rehabilitate, restore and conserve the Manila Bay. It is being spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).