Is the Cheapest and Least Expensive Beach Resort in Manila the Unsafest?

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Baywalk,Roxas Blvd--Remember the lyrics of Sen. Manny Villar's 2010 Presidential Election campaign jingle? The song that all of us suffered LSS (Last Song Syndrome) from and  kept playing over and over  our heads long after the campaign season was finished due to the number of times it was played on radio and television?

 Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura?

Nag-Pasko ka na ba sa gitna ng kalsada?

Yan ang tanong namin,

Tunay ka bang isa sa amin?

I was reminded of the song when I went to Roxas Blvd last Easter Sunday.

The Philippines has plenty of beaches surrounded by pristine crystal clear sea waters and it made me  wonder why some people  chose to swim or bath on polluted sea waters (dagat ng basura?) instead of  having gone to beaches or resorts that have clean  natural environments last Easter Holiday.

The kids on this photo  seem to be having such a grand time as they swim and frolic on the sea waters of the Manila Bay. The joy on these kids faces is probably no different from the joy on other kid's faces somewhere in Coron or  Boracay. 

The scene over at the one of the finest natural harbors in the world last Easter Sunday is probably the same scene one would find on most beaches or resorts here in the Philippines during summer. Families from allover  Manila flocked to Roxas Blvd's bay area to swim or bathed on its polluted sea waters despite warnings from the local government.

The sea waters look bluish enough from afar, but, the question is "Are these swimmers safe?"

These local tourists who who decided to spend their summer holiday at the bay, I have to say, were definitely safe from drowning. Instead of lifeguards, the Philippine Coast Guard patrolled the area the whole time ,and made sure that no one went beyond the designated swimming area. The Coast Guards made sure nobody went swimming into   the deeper part of the sea. 

Now, wait a minute, what designated swimming area? There shouldn't be any swimming area at all. Isn't it that beyond  the Baywalk  area people should no longer be allowed to go out of bounds into the sea? I knew there was a sign somewhere around the area that says this. Let me see. Oh, I guess, no one noticed it. I saw the sign but it was partially covered with a towel.

Anyway, who would want to take away the joy on these kids faces by implementing  the Manila Bay Swimming ban? DEFINITELY, NOT  the Manila Local Government. Perhaps, the local government feels that just because one is  poor, he is already  immune to all kinds of diseases. Matibay ang sikmura, sanay sa madumi, hindi basta basta nagkakasakit.

And, why not. The kids look safe, right? Aside from Manila Bay's murky waters, there is really nothing to worry about. The local government only allows this  during Easter Sunday,once a year. I mean, look at the crowd, everyone looks happy. How can one not feel safe...

Forget about the City Ordinance. Forget about the sign.The local government can put all the signs they want along the entire Roxas Blvd, but if no one's gonna implement the law or makes sure the city ordinance is followed, these Manila Bay swimmers will just keep coming back each year.

Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura? I think these kids will have no problem saying "yes, po." Just look at the floating thingies on the water's surface.

The entire stretch of the Manila Bay area in Roxas Blvd, swelled with people who wanted to beat the summer heat and  have fun swimming. These people  probably know already that the Manila Bay sea water is not that clean but they still come, anyway, once a year during the summer because, unlike some people, they really can't afford to go to an actual resort.

I have to admit, the atmosphere was festive, despite the bad smell and stench that came from the bay area.

And just like in  any ordinary beach resort , everybody came prepared.

People set up makeshift tents and picnic areas. Some even brought proper swimming attires.

I am not sure if Manila Bay is already beyond saving. The waters surrounding the Manila Bay area has become so polluted that I sometimes wonder what foreign tourists think every time  they take a stroll or pass by along Roxas Blvd. Sure, we have plenty of beautiful islands and beaches surrounded by waters of the cleanest and deepest clarity. But, this is the closest body of water to our international airport (NAIA) and the first body of water people from other countries get to see and get exposed to when they come to the Philippines. I just wish that everyone( the government and its people) really make conscientious  efforts to clean and rehabilitate what ever is left of this beautiful harbor.

Everybody deserves to have fun. Everyone needs a vacation. All of us need our time in the sun. I know that not everyone can afford an out-of-town-trip or summer getaway. But, please, officials of the Manila local government, do not make us think that you're doing these Manila residents a favor by allowing them to bathed on polluted waters simply because they can't afford an expensive vacation. Manila Bay is good enough for it's amazing sunset view. Let us make do with what Manila Bay has to offer as of now-- not a lot, and swimming on its waters with all sorts of rubbish is not one of them.

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