Estero THE cleanup of the esteros (estuaries) of Metro Manila recently got fresh support from the Aquino administration as Department of Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Ramon Paje, Department of Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim inspected Estero de Paco and Estero de San Miguel.

Guided by ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) managing director Gina Lopez, Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission deputy director Alan Gatpolintan and representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, the three secretaries and mayor navigated Estero de San Miguel by boat. Estero de San Miguel is a two-kilometer tributary of the Pasig River located just behind Malacañang.

“I feel it’s very good for the government if we clear President [Noynoy] Aquino’s backyard, which is a network of five esteros,” Lopez said. Lopez is ecstatic that the key players came together to clean the esteros.

“There is no way it can’t happen if we don’t work together. I take my hat off to them. They came on board and they said they’re going to work together… So I’m very, very optimistic,” she added.

Earlier, Lopez met with Pres. Aquino to show the progress of the AFI project, Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig, on these esteros. The President immediately visited Estero de San Miguel and enjoined the different departments to deal with the rehabilitation of the esteros.