President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna will lead the inauguration of the MV Nilad on June 30, a modern cleanup vessel donated by the Government of South Korea through KOICA.
Under the $8.2 million Enhancement of Marine Litter Management in Manila Bay (EMLM) Project, the 25-meter, 101-ton vessel is equipped with trash skimmers, deck cranes, and oil boom systems. It is designed to collect floating waste, respond to oil spills, and support large-scale cleanup operations. The project, approved in May 2022, runs for five years and aims to improve waste management and reduce marine pollution.
The MV Nilad is operated jointly by the DENR, Department of Transportation, and Philippine Coast Guard under a formal agreement. A support truck will also assist in transporting collected waste from coastal areas.
Data from monitoring surveys show that Manila Bay still holds over 6.5 million litter items, totaling more than 203,000 kilograms, with plastics making up 91 percent of waste. However, results indicate positive progress: 2024 records show a 36 percent drop in litter volume and 42 percent reduction in total weight compared to the previous year.
Officials noted that the initiative aligns with global Sustainable Development Goal 14.1 and the Philippine Development Plan. It also supports regional efforts under ASEAN+3 to build environmental resilience through international cooperation and shared responsibility.
