President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna are leading the expanded push to reduce marine litter and restore one of the country’s vital coastal ecosystems.
On June 30, the DENR will inaugurate the MV Nilad, a marine cleanup vessel donated by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The vessel strengthens the government’s capacity to collect floating waste, respond to pollution incidents, and protect coastal ecosystems that sustain millions of Filipinos.
Secretary Cuna said the MV Nilad marks a major step in scaling up on‑water cleanup operations. “The MV Nilad strengthens even more our ability to address marine litter in Manila Bay, and more importantly, reflects how strong partnerships and shared responsibility can deliver real results for our environment and our people,” he said.
The vessel was delivered under the USD 8.2 million Enhancement of Marine Litter Management in Manila Bay (EMLM) Project, a Philippines–Republic of Korea partnership that took effect after the Special Authority was signed on 12 May 2022. The five‑year project aims to strengthen environmental protection systems, improve solid waste management, and promote behavioral change to reduce marine pollution.
A 25‑meter, 101‑ton vessel, the MV Nilad is designed for continuous cleanup operations. It is equipped with a trash skimmer for collecting floating debris, a deck crane for handling and unloading waste, and an oil boom for rapid response to oil spill incidents.
The vessel will be jointly operated by the DENR, the Department of Transportation, and the Philippine Coast Guard through a Memorandum of Agreement to be signed during the inauguration—reflecting a whole‑of‑government approach to marine litter management. A crane‑equipped truck provided under the project will also support the transport and handling of collected waste from coastal and marine cleanup activities.
Secretary Cuna emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges that cross-national boundaries. International cooperation remains central to tackling marine litter, which continues to affect coastal ecosystems across the region.
Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 14.1 on reducing marine pollution and supporting the Philippine Development Plan’s goal of building resilient and sustainable communities, the deployment of MV Nilad will also contribute to the Philippines’ intervention for ASEAN+3, which aims to strengthen regional integration and promote resilience, connectivity, and sustainable growth.
Recent scientific findings highlight both the urgency of the problem and the impact of ongoing interventions. Results of the Marine Litter Monitoring Survey conducted by De La Salle University‑Dasmariñas under the EMLM Project show that more than 6.5 million litter items remain scattered across the bay’s 190‑kilometer coastline, weighing over 203,000 kilograms. Plastics account for 91 percent of all collected waste, mostly from everyday consumption such as single‑use packaging, sachets, plastic bags, beverage containers, and cigarette butts.
At the same time, coordinated efforts are delivering measurable results. The 2024 survey recorded a 36 percent reduction in litter volume and a 42 percent decrease in total waste weight compared to 2023—demonstrating that sustained interventions and strong partnerships can significantly reduce marine pollution.
DENR PR
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