Manila Bay is alive, but 21 proposed and ongoing reclamation projects in Greater Metro Manila can threaten marine ecosystems and fishermen’s livelihood, and could worsen flooding in urban centers.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confirmed the results of the 2024 cumulative impact assessment conducted by the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation (MERF) showed that the ecosystem of Manila Bay remains vibrant.
As the agency’s initiative to inform decisions in the restoration of the Bay’s water quality, which is mandated by the Supreme Court’s Writ of Continuing Mandamus, the assessment discussed how local government units (LGUs) as project proponents should work together to improve water quality, preserve marine ecosystems, and protect their constituents from flooding throughout the Manila Bay region.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga emphasized the importance of the cumulative impact assessment.
“It is vital for safeguarding our environment and ensuring a sustainable future.”
“It is vital for safeguarding our environment and ensuring a sustainable future. By evaluating the combined effects of various projects, we can make informed decisions that balance economic growth, social well-being, and ecosystem health,” Loyzaga said.
The environment chief noted that this comprehensive approach aids in mitigating the impacts on biodiversity, promoting fairness and equity, and enhancing community resilience against environmental challenges.
The MERF study evaluated the potential impacts of two ongoing, 12 approved, and seven proposed reclamation projects, focusing on water resources, ecosystems, and communities. Models for flood risk and water circulation were developed, and the group measured water quality and assessed biological resources. An interdisciplinary team of 48, including 16 oceanographers, ecologists, and planners, conducted surveys during varying seasons.
The study documented 51 coral genera and 167 fish species, revealing a rich biodiversity that offers hope for future management despite the challenges.
However, Dr. Charina Lyn Repollo warned that the proposed reclamation projects can disrupt the Bay’s natural water flow, leading to stagnation and trapping pollutants, particularly during extreme weather events, increasing water quality issues that could have far-reaching public health implications.
Repollo also disclosed that Manila Bay remains vital for fisheries that support many coastal communities. However, reclamation projects can severely diminish fishing grounds and destroy critical habitats.
“The loss of mangroves threatens marine biodiversity and weakens coastal defenses, making communities more vulnerable to typhoons.”
“The loss of mangroves threatens marine biodiversity and weakens coastal defenses, making communities more vulnerable to typhoons,” she pointed out.
Additionally, higher sedimentation and nutrient levels from dredging and reclamation increases the risk of harmful algal blooms, which pose significant dangers to both marine life and human health due to their toxins, Repollo added.
The assessment also cautioned that reclamation can exacerbate flooding in low-lying Metro Manila urban cities and municipalities. By blocking natural drainage pathways, these projects hinder the timely drainage of floodwaters, especially during heavy rains.
“This bottleneck effect increases both coastal and inland flooding, posing heightened risks to lives and infrastructure, and undermining community resilience,” she explained.
The study calls for regular monitoring of water quality and shellfish safety to safeguard fisheries and public health, urging that project proponents be held accountable for their actions as Metro Manila faces the ramifications of further reclamations. Monitoring systems and methods as well as enhanced flood modelling will be part of Phase 2 of the MERF study.
“As Manila Bay is alive, local government units need to take into consideration the social impacts, the cultural, legal, and ecological considerations in their development goals,” Loyzaga said.
“The local government units need to integrate the reclamation projects into their water quality and water sourcing plans, their traffic and mobility plans, their solid waste management systems, their flood management systems, their disaster risks and climate change risk management plans,” she added.
As a next step, the DENR will review Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) issued to Manila Bay reclamation projects.
The process will include consultation and dialogue with the Philippine Reclamation Authority, proponent LGUs and stakeholders to determine whether the ECCs need to be revised or amended to address the possible cumulative environmental, social, economic, and ecological impacts identified in the MERF study.
