MANILA BAY

The Manila Bay is the country’s major hub and international gateway to its political, economic and social
center. It is to the Filipino people, a natural heritage and a silent witness to the millennia of Philippine history
and the venue of many historical events that helped shaped the Filipino culture and values. The Bay, with its
semi-enclosed estuary facing the South China Sea, represents a vital national asset, providing a source of food,
livelihood, employment, recreation, to an estimated 23 million Filipinos and a major source of economic
benefit for the country. Along with its surrounding provinces, the Bay contributes an estimated 55% of the
country’s GDP and account for almost one third of the country’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry production
and 64 percent of the contribution of industrial and services sector to the GDP, respectively. It supports
fisheries and aquaculture as among the major sources of livelihood as well as activities in the following
development areas: a) manufacturing industry; b) shipping and ports; c) agriculture; d) mining and quarrying;
e) commercial areas; and f) residential areas.

The sustainability of the Bay and its diverse ecosystem is however continually threatened by a variety of land
and se-based human activities, which contribute to the decline in its environmental quality. Overexploitation
of resources, illegal and destructive fishing, habitat destruction, pollution, siltation and sedimentation,
uncontrolled development and the conflicting use of limited available resources cause pressures on the bay.
The water pollution issue of Manila Bay is on top of the DENR agenda that needs collaborative and immediate
actions upon the concerned national government agencies, LGU's, the Civil Society and Business Sector.

As the lead agency, the DENR concerns focus on Water Quality Improvement, Habitat Restoration and River
Basin Management. Other agencies are committed to implement their plan under the OPMBCS which is also
consistent with the respective mandate.

Recognizing the important roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in cleaning the bay the
collaboration and coordination among key partners particularly the implementation of Corporate Social
Responsibilities (CSR) and mobilize Manila Bay Governance and institutional advancement through the Manila
Bay Coordinating Committee (MBCC) with the DENR Secretary as chairman is strengthen.

A look at Manila Bay’s pollution and the Clean Water Act of 2004

The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources is taking aim at establishments near Manila Bay
which have violated environmental laws passed way back in the early 2000s.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said that hotels, resorts, restaurants and similar establishments will
be facing a fine of P20,000 to P200,000 every day for violations incurred starting from the time DENR has
taken their water samples.

This is in light of the upcoming Manila Bay rehabilitation program that will be launched on January 27, 2019. It
aims to restore the bay’s pristine condition that is supposedly ideal for recreational purposes.

DENR has begun to inspect establishments near the bay and has given orders for them to put up their own
sewage treatment plants. Part of their initiative includes taking water samples of the establishments’
wastewater discharge.
“We will examine wastewater discharge [from the establishments] and show them the results. The procedure
will be to speak with them and inform them of the requirements, such as the treatment plant. They have to
comply or else we will shut them down,” Cimatu said in an interview.

He noted that Republic Act 9275 or the “Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004” will be strictly implemented as
part of the agency’s measures to rehabilitate the heavily-polluted bay.

The law was similarly enforced when DENR closed down Boracay for six months following massive
environmental concerns.

Initial inspection by the agency reveals that nine out of 19 bathing beaches and stations along Manila Bay are
extremely polluted, having high coliform levels.

Coliform is used to determine water quality as it is believed to be associated with sources of disease-causing
organisms that contaminate water.

DENR found out that waters near the Cultural Center of the Philippines, SM Mall of Asia, Navotas
Fishport, Philippine Estates Authority Tollways Corp., Rizal Park, San Isidro, Villa Criselda Resort and Mattel
and Celebrity Beach are some bodies that contain high amounts of coliform.

Reviewing the policy on water p ollution

The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 was established to protect, preserve and revive water quality of the
country’s resources.

It mandates DENR to coordinate with the National Water Resources Board in rehabilitating and improving
different bodies of water that may be polluted and affected by improper waste disposal.

Under the law, it is prohibited to discharge “material of any kind” to water bodies—including groundwaters—
in an indirect or direct manner. Some specific violations include:

 Disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea water by vessels unless the health or safety
of individuals on board the vessel is threatened by a great and imminent peril;
 Unauthorized transport or dumping into sea waters of sewage sludge or solid waste;
 Transport, dumping or discharge of prohibited chemicals, substances or pollutants;
 Operate facilities that discharge or allow to seep, willfully or through gross negligence, prohibited
chemicals, substances or pollutants;
 Undertaking activities or development and expansion of projects, or operating
wastewater/sewerage facilities in violation of Presidential Decree No. 1586
Furthermore, facilities and establishments are supposed to secure discharge permits subjected to the approval
of the environmental agency.

Violators of the provisions will be sanctioned with a penalty fee that amounts from P10,000 to P200,000. It will
be imposed every day until specific actions are taken against water pollution.

Personnel responsible will be facing jail time from two to four years and be required to pay P50,000 to
P100,000 every day if there are no initiatives taken.
If the refusal to the agency’s order causes “irreversible water contamination,” the personnel/s involved shall
be imprisoned for six to twelve years and be fined for P500,000 for each day of violation. Otherwise, criminal
charges may be filed by DENR.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will strictly implement the country’s clean
water law to ensure the success of the effort to revive the heavily polluted Manila Bay.

DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the strict implementation of Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean
Water Act of 2004 is the “key to addressing water quality issues and other environmental problems in the
historic bay.”

Cimatu recently conducted an ocular inspection of the Estero de San Antonio de Abad in Malate, Manila
where outfalls from establishments in the area discharge their wastewater.

“Establishments have to put up their own sewage treatment plants (STPs). They cannot discharge their
wastewater in the esteros,” Cimatu said. “We are giving them three months to put up their own STPs,” he
added.

Cimtu said that to jumpstart the rehabilitation, the DENR will start the clean-up of esteros by tracing the
sources of untreated wastewater.

The environment chief added the planned Manila Bay rehabilitation program will be strategic to oversee the
implementation of the three-phase Manila Bay Action Plan.

Phase 1 is cleanup and improvement of water quality improvement, Phase 2 is rehabilitation, and Phase 3,
protection and sustainment.

Cimatu said Phase 1 is set to begin this year. It will include the clean-up of esteros and waterways, reduction
of the level of fecal coliform and toxic discharges from establishments, and provision of temporary sanitation
facilities for informal settlers residing along the esteros and the Manila Bay shoreline. Solid waste
management and planning for the relocation of the informal settlers will also be done.

Cimatu also inspected the Paranaque and Don Galo rivers, which both lead to Manila Bay. These two
tributaries have also been reported to have high fecal coliform levels.

In 2008, the Supreme Court issued a continuing mandamus ordering the DENR and 12 other government
agencies – Departments of Interior of Local Government, Education, health, Agriculture, Public Works and
Highways, and Budget and Management, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police Maritime Group,
Philippine Ports Authority, MMDA, MWSS and Local Water Utilities Administration to clean up Manila Bay and
restore its water quality to Class SB level safe for recreational activities such as swimming.

Fecal coliform level in Manila Bay is at 330 million MPN (most probable number) per 100 milliliters. The
acceptable level for Class SB water is 100MPN/100 ml.

Manila Bay Clean Up Program

PRIORITY ACTIVITY IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OPERATIONAL PLAN FOR

THE MANILA BAY COASTAL STRATEGY 2017-2022

On January 27, 2019, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu officially declared the start of the Manila
Rehabilitation at the Baywalk in Manila.  On hand to witness the declaration, and also joined in the
earlier event of Solidarity Walk  from the Quirino Grandstand to the staging area (Baywalk), were
about 5,000 individuals, mostly representing the 13 Mandamus agencies, local government units, and
private sector.

Calling it the “Battle for Manila Bay,” Cimatu, a former Armed Forces chief, said:  “This is one battle
that will be won not with force or arms, but with the firm resolve to bring Manila Bay back to life.” 
He added:  “With the commitment and determination of every Filipino to do his share in this
rehabilitation effort, we have already won the battle for Manila Bay.”

MANILA BAY REHABILITATION 

 Phase 1- Cleanup/Water Quality Improvement

 Cleanup of designated esteros and waterways;

 Reduce fecal coliform level and toxic discharges from houses and establishments by causing
connection to existing STPs and requiring STPs for gov’t, commercial, industrial, and
educational establishments;
 Inspect and repair leaks in old sewer lines;
 Provide temporary sanitation facilities to informal settlers residing along esteros and shorelines
pending relocation;
 Implement solid waste management; and
 Start planning for the relocation of informal settlers

Phase 2 – Rehabilitation and Resettlement

 Rehabilitation of old sewer lines in NCR

o Relocation of informal settlers
o Ensure completion of 340 MLD of Maynilad and Manila Water by 2022

Phase 3 – Education and Sustainment

 Continuing education of citizens to protect the gains

 Sustained law enforcement and monitoring
 Fast tracking/ Earlier completion of the sewerage system in Metro Manila from 2037 to 2026

The Manila Bay Area:

1. The Manila Bay area covers eight (8) provinces and 178 local government units in three
regions of the country, namely: National Capital Region (NCR), Region III, and Region IV-A. 
Of the eight provinces, four are coastal (Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite and Pampanga); four are
non-coastal (Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Rizal and Tarlac).
2. Its drainage area covers 1,994 km2, or 199,400 hectares.
3. Its coastline measures some 190 kilometers.
4. There are 17 principal river systems draining to Manila Bay, namely:
 Angat River
 Bocaue River
 Maria River
 Marilao River
 Meycauayan
 Meycauayan-Valenzuela River
 Pasig River
 Parañaque River
 Imus River
 Ylang-ylang River
 Rio Grande
 Cañas River
 Obando River
 Navotas-Malabon-Tinajeros-Tullahan River
 Talisay River
 Guagua River
 Pampanga River

SC Mandamus on Manila Bay

1. On Dec. 18, 2008, the Supreme Court issued SC Mandamus on Manila Bay (G.R. 171947-48)
directing 13 government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay, and
restore and maintain its waters to SB level to make them fit for swimming, skin-diving, and
other forms of contact recreation.
 2. DENR Administrative Order No. 34 of 1990 defines coastal and marines waters under Class
SB classification as areas regularly used by the public for bathing, swimming and skin diving,
etc., and as spawning areas for Chanos chanos or bangus abd similar species.
3. The 13 Mandamus agencies are as follows: 
 DENR
 DILG
 DepEd
 DOH
 DA
 DPWH
 DBM
 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
 Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG)
 Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
 Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
 Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)
 Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA)
4. For the DENR, the SC ordered the agency to:
 Fully implement its Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy (OPMBCS) that are
within its mandate pursuant to Executive Order No. 192, s. 1987;
 Regularly coordinate with mandamus agencies and other concerned agencies involved in
management of Manila Bay on effective implementation of OPMBCS;
 Pursuant to Sec. 19 of RA 9275, manage water quality of Manila Bay thru standards setting,
regular monitoring and determination of Water Quality Management Areas (WQMA).
5. The Mandamus likewise orders the dismantling and removal of illegal structures along the
following waterways:
 Pasig-Marikina-San Juan Rivers
 NCR (Paranaque-Zapote, Las Pinas) Rivers 
 Navotas-Malabon-Tullahan-Tinajeros and connecting waterways and esteros in Metro Manila
 Rivers in Bulacan, Bataan, Cavite and Laguna de Bay   and other rivers connecting waterways
and esteros that discharge wastewater into the Manila Bay
6. Other facts and figures about Manila Bay
 Only 15% (2.4M/16.3M) of the water-served population in the NCR are connected to a
sewerage system and about 3.84% (187,000/4,863,938) of water served population outside
the NCR are provided with sanitation services;
 Almost 233,000 informal settler families (ISFs) are residing along the waterways of the Manila
Bay area, directly discharging their wastes to the water;
 Only about 76% (135/178) of LGUs have approved 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plans

To Address Water Pollution of Manila Bay, the following Strategies were Adopted/employed:
Strategies: (The 15th Water Environment Partnership in Asia Annual Meeting 07 February 2020)
• Rehabilitation of the dredging of river systems and Bay’s shore area)
• Strengthen law enforcement
• Strong private sector participation (CSR) - Adopt a body of water/estero program
• Interagency cooperation and collaboration
• Sufficient budget support from the government
• Stakeholders participation and cooperation/change of attitude or behaviour

NOT THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO CLEAN UP

In 1999, a group of concerned citizens filed a lawsuit against the government to clean up the bay. In 2008, the
petitioners won. The Supreme Court's decision ordered 13 government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate, and
preserve Manila Bay to make its waters fit for swimming, skin diving, and other forms of contact recreation.
These government agencies were:
  Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources
 Department of Education
 Department of Health
 Department of Agriculture
 Department of Public Works and Highways
 Department of Budget and Management
 Philippine Coast Guard
 Philippine National Police Maritime Group
 Department of the Interior and Local Government
 Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System
 Local Water Utilities Administration
 Philippine Ports Authority

LATEST:
LOOK: Dolomite sand poured again over Manila Bay ‘white beach’

MANILA, Philippines — A fresh dose of crushed dolomite was again poured at the Manila Bay
“white sand beach” months after it first drew criticism from environment and fisherfolk groups
questioning the project.
Photos taken by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Tuesday showed that heavy vehicles and
equipment are again dumping crushed dolomite at the bay’s coastline, as part of the Manila Bay
Rehabilitation Program launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR).

The project first drew ire from the public in September last year, with fisherfolk group
Pamalakaya calling the project a “completely absurd and highfalutin rehabilitation” effort that
would hardly solve “the environmental degradation problems of the bay.”
Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Sonny Batungbacal also warned that covering the bay’s
coastline with dolomite sand “would not do anything” and that the artificial sand could easily be
washed out by storm surges or rising tides.
But when black sand was again seen over the bay’s coastline in October, the DENR said what
happened was a “wash-in” and not a wash-out of the synthetic white sand. The DENR gave
assurance that “engineering interventions” were put in place to ensure that the dolomite sand
would stay in place where it was overlaid.
The DENR also said the white sand makeover will discourage people from throwing garbage in the
area, while Malacañang said that the project will benefit the mental health of Filipinos during the
COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of the Use of Dolomite in Beach Nourishment in Manila Bay

The beach nourishment of Manila Bay is a part of a marching order issued by the Supreme Court, a writ of
continuing mandamus dated Dec. 18, 2008, whereby the Supreme Court ordered/directed 13 government
agencies to spearhead the clean-up, rehabilitation and eventual preservation of Manila Bay. Such agencies,
include the following:  Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of
Agriculture (DA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Local Water Utilities Administration
(LWUA), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA),
Department of Budget and Management ((DBM), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine National Police
(PNP) Maritime Group, and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). These said agencies
were given ten (10) years to accomplish the project with a standing order to "clean-up, rehabilitate, and
preserve Manila Bay, and restore and maintain its waters to SB level to make them fit for swimming, skin-
diving, and other forms of contact recreation.", as the case had stemmed from a complaint filed by a group
called the "Concerned Residents of Manila Bay" before the Regional Trial Court in Imus, Cavite against the
government agencies for the preservation and protection of Manila Bay
As the lead agency tasked with the bay’s cleanup, DENR launched its campaign to spread awareness of the
bay’s sorry state dubbed “Manila Bayanihan: Para sa Kalinisan” on January 27, 2019 at Barangay Zapote V,
Bacoor, Cavite. To celebrate the first year anniversary of the Battle for Manila Bay last Jan. 26, 2020, the DENR
has lined up several activities including the inauguration of the sewage interceptor and treatment plant
located in front of the Manila Yacht Club. This facility is capable of treating 500,000 liters of wastewater per
day in order to ensure that no untreated wastewater from the drainage outfalls flows into the bay.
As proven by teams from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s geologists who conducted coastal geohazard
assessment Marine Geological Survey Division, most beaches in the Philippines are prone to erosion which
cause adverse changes in the shape and position of coasts. Coastal erosion became an issue because most
Filipinos had preferred to settle along the beach. With more people wanting to develop the beach, they
searched for methods to protect their properties.  In this spectrum of protection of beaches and properties
against the powerful erosional forces of seas and oceans, soft structures like beach nourishment are preferred
over hard beach stabilizing structures (like sea walls and groins). Construction of seawalls in some cases lead
to coastal erosion causing changes in shore sediment dynamics and even affectbut also adjoining coasts. 
Having both its benefits and drawbacks to tourism, commerce and the environment, this coastal nourishment
is now the common practice in most countries like the US, France, Vietnam, Australia, Belgium and other
countries.
 
Beach nourishment, or beach replenishment, is the practice of adding sand or sediment to beaches to combat
erosion and increase beach width. Sand feeding is, likewise viewed as an alternative to beach armoring.
However, it is important to note that beach nourishment does not stop erosion, rather, it merely prevents
erosion for a short time.  Beach nourishment is a soft engineering alternative to hard structures (like seawalls,
groins) on the shore used to create a natural beach environment for the bay, eliminating detrimental effects of
shore protection structures by burying them, and retaining sediment volumes to respond to sea level rise
brought about by climate change. This scheme is practiced extensively in developed countries and is the
preferred strategy for combating erosion and protecting coastal communities. After the dredging and clean-up
of the Bay, the members of the different agencies involved have agreed that the initial beach nourishment to
be implemented will be applied in the segment between the area fronting the US Embassy and the Manila Bay
Yacht Club to mimic a “pocket beach”.
Continuing its efforts to curb the pollution in Manila Bay and rehabilitating the beach, the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) began laying out white sand made from crushed dolomite rocks
last week. This is part of the PHP 389-Million Manila Bay rehabilitation which began two years ago, which now
faces criticisms due to the use of “white sand”. Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso does
not see any problem which requires the operation to stop, noting that according to the Department of Health,
the mineral dolomite, when coming in its “bulk state”, is not a known health hazard. DENR clarifies that based
from Wentworth (1922) Grain Size Classification from the United States Geological Survey Open-File Report
2006-1195 dated 2011, the sand grains spread in Manila Bay is classified as coarse-grained sand to fine
pebbles. This is 2 millimeters to 5 millimeters in size or equivalent to 2,000 microns to 5,000 microns, and
therefore almost 100 times bigger than dust. This is not “dust” which is 2.5 microns to 50 microns in size. Dust
was the one mentioned in the news that is hazardous if inhaled. They further cite that famous islands known
for their fine sand such as Panglao and Boracay became world-renowned from their “powdery sugary sand”,
which came were derived from weathered coralline limestone and dolomitic limestone, and no health
complaint has been filed by tourists and swimmers. 
In response to these clamor it is important that DENR had conferred the activity with other agencies before
the implementation of the project. Based on previous studies, it is understood that beach nourishment is not a
permanent remedy to the Manila Bay issue. According to studies and scientific researches, mechanically
placed sand on  beaches moves as affected by waves, currents, tides and wind and other potential impacts of
anthropogenic and natural events. The study in San Diego County, California published in the journal Coastal
Engineering, could help planners develop beach nourishment projects that will reach their intended goals
without causing unintended problems. In this study of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of
California at San Diego, they found out that added coarser sand to the beach stayed on despite of energetic
waves. In one case, the sand moved both north and south along the coast that later contributed to the closure
of a river estuary causing concentrated pollution and hypoxia.
In the case of the Dolomite sand spread along the beach of Manila Bay, systematic monitoring of monsoon or
seasonal currents should be done to follow the general pattern of the direction of movement and deposition
of piles of sediments in the bay. The process will take for some time but regular monitoring and studies will
enable DENR to predict or model on how the nourished sand will evolve.
 
Is Manila’s new white sand coast a threat to marine life?
The Philippines’ department of environment and natural resources has come under fire after dumping
dolomite sand, typically used in construction, on the shores of Manila Bay as part of an US$8 million
beautification project.