By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The EcoWaste Coalition on Wednesday (Jan. 15) released the results of its 2024 Marine Litter Monitoring Survey Report showcasing the progress made in reducing marine litter in Manila Bay.
The 2024 survey was conducted in partnership with De La Salle University-Dasmarinas (DLSU-D).
The survey was conducted across 10 project sites in the provinces of Cavite and Bataan, and the cities of ParaƱaque and Navotas.
It showed a 36% decrease in the volume of marine litter and a 42% reduction in the total weight of collected waste from 2023 to 2024.
However, plastics still represent a significant portion of marine debris, accounting for 91% of the total collected waste, with hard and film plastics being the most prevalent forms.
In a press conference, Wes Lipana, Project Officer of the Enhancing Marine Litter Management (EMLM) in Manila Bay of EcoWaste Coalition, said “These findings demonstrate the progress we’ve made, but they also highlight the urgent need for stricter waste management practices.”
“We have made significant strides in reducing litter, but the continuing dominance of plastics in our waste indicates the need for collective action — both from government bodies and the public,” Lipana added.
Engr. Bhona May Onate, from DENR-EMB, said that the metholody was tailored in the marine environment of the Philippines.
Engr. Onate asked whether the 10 project sites strategically represent the entire Manila Bay area.
Dr. Johnny Ching, Asst. Vice Chancellor for Research of DLSU-D, said that the 10 barangays where they conducted the marine survey on litter reduction in the Manila Bay area, is sufficient enough to represent the whole of Manila Bay.
Dr. Ching added that they also included ecobags in the samplings of their survey across the 10 project sites.
He stressed that the efficiency of garbage collection is also included in their survey, aside from the volume and weight of the waste collected, however, the source of the waste was exckided.
Dr. Ching noted that in the future, they would include the audit branding in their survey.