It has been found that around 90 percent of the 12 million pieces of marine litter collected from the coastline of Manila Bay is plastic, highlighting the need for stricter policy implementation and an integrated marine waste management plan.
The report, by zero-waste group EcoWaste Coalition in collaboration with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources found that 11 million pieces of plastic waste were collected along Manila Bay during the 2023 monitoring survey that assessed the marine litter profile of 10 coastal areas in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.
It found that most of the collected plastic litter consisted of hard and film plastics, such as single-use food sachets and plastic bags. The production, distribution, and litter of such products poses a major threat to environmental and human health.
The report also revealed that plastic waste accounted for nearly 60 percent of the total weight of marine litter along Manila Bay.
“The study shows that we have a long way to go to eliminate the ubiquitous problem of single-use plastics and marine litter as a whole,” said Von Vladimir Defuntorum, a project lead with EcoWaste Coalition.
It recommended the strict implementation of the Solid Waste Management Act of 2020, Clean Water Act of 2004, Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy, and the continuing mandamus issued by the Supreme Court compelling authorities to perform their duties in cleaning and rehabilitating the polluted body of water. It also called on government agencies to devise an integrated marine litter management plan, and for various stakeholders to conduct regular coastal cleanups and conserve mangroves.
A 2021 World Bank report noted a high dependence on single-use plastics like multilayer sachets and pouches in the Philippines continues to worsen the alarming levels of marine plastic pollution in the region.
What is being observed in Manila Bay is most likely the same in most other Philippine coastlines, as plastic dependency, lax enforcement of laws, and poor solid waste management practices are not limited to Metro Manila, but is a serious nationwide and cultural issue for Filipinos that our leaders have not been giving enough attention.
In areas where the situation isn’t as bad and many things can still be done, our leaders should be more proactive and get moving. Let’s not wait for the coastline along the Guimaras Strait to become like that of Manila Bay.*
