In a major step toward restoring one of the nation’s most historic gateways, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officially partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, to launch a comprehensive, inter-agency initiative aimed at protecting and preserving Manila Bay.
This strategic alliance directly addresses decades of severe pollution, ecological degradation, and habitat destruction within the bay.
To drastically accelerate rehabilitation efforts, the Philippine Government has teamed up with the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK). The international partnership was formalized alongside the official launch and commissioning of the MV Nilad, a state-of-the-art, 25-meter marine clean-up vessel.
The MV Nilad will serve as the flagship vessel for the Enhancement of Marine Litter Management (EMLM) project in Manila Bay. Designed with specialized waste-retrieval technology, the vessel will actively recover floating debris, plastic pollution, and solid waste from the bay’s waters, preventing further damage to fragile marine ecosystems.
The launch event was spearheaded by key international dignitaries, including:
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Lee Sang-hwa, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines
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Lee Yun-Young, Vice President of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)
The multi-agency collaboration establishes a unified front against marine pollution:
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The DENR will spearhead ecological monitoring, policy enforcement, and long-term habitat restoration plans.
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The DOTr and PCG will oversee the maritime operations, maintenance, and deployment of the MV Nilad, ensuring maximum coverage of the bay’s most critical pollution hotspots.
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KOICA and the ROK Government will continue to provide technical expertise and capacity-building support throughout the duration of the EMLM project.
The EMLM project is expected to significantly reduce plastic waste influx, improve water quality, and foster the return of marine biodiversity to Manila Bay, ultimately benefit the coastal communities and millions of citizens who rely on its waters.
