Government sets vulnerability study for Manila Bay

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is conducting a vulnerability study for Manila Bay amid continued threats of climate change, illegal settlement and unregulated waste disposal.

DENR-attached agency Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) is set to carry out the 15-month vulnerability study as part of efforts to preserve mudflats, coral reefs and mangroves, among others.

“Part of the project is a study of the coastal and watershed areas in Manila Bay against selected environmental hazards. Baseline data and information will be crucial in monitoring the progress of the implementation of the newly adopted operational plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy for 2017-2022,” ERDB director Henry Adornado said.

About 27 agencies are involved in the Manila Bay rehabilitation program which also covers five clusters including liquid waste management, solid waste management, informal settler families and illegal structures, habitat and resources management, and institutional arrangement and governance.

“To make sound decisions and policies for Manila Bay, updated and consolidated science-based information is crucial to identify and address current and potential issues and problems,” ERDB assistant director Bighani Manipula said.

Home to 55,000 hectares of fishponds, Manila Bay is one of the country’s most important coastal wetlands and one of the key biodiversity sites for conservation and sustainable development.

However, Manila Bay has been plagued by illegal settlement with houses on stilts right on the bay’s waters, directly disposing human waste.

It has also been catching the untreated wastewater of Metro Manila as seven major rivers draining 26 catchment basins dump untreated wastewater coming from households and industries.

“The presence of squatters along the river deltas of Bataan, Bulacan, and Metro Manila increased vulnerability of the area,” ERDB said.

Data showed approximately P4 billion annual economic loss in Manila Bay is recorded due to human activities, including solid and liquid waste dumping.

Damage to Manila Bay also include loss in fisherfolks’ income of about P2 billion and export loss of P1.6 billion.

Economic value of Manila Bay comes from the combination of aquaculture, mariculture, tourism and ports-harbors.