Koica, USAID to combat Manila Bay pollution

THE South Korean government, through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (Koica) and the United States government, represented by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), have signed a grant partnership agreement worth P27.7 million ($ 500,000) to address maritime pollution in Manila Bay.

According to the former’s embassy, the grant funding will supplement the existing P426.2 million ($ 7.7 million) allocated for the “Enhancement of Marine Litter Management in Manila Bay (EMLM)” project: a five-year initiative led by Koica and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

EMLM aims to strengthen Manila Bay's environmental protection system and promote behavioral changes to combat marine litter. It encompasses the development of a comprehensive “Marine Litter Management Strategy,” capacity-building programs, the construction and operation of a clean-up vessel, community-awareness initiatives, and the establishment of pilot communities showcasing effective waste collection and segregation practices.