Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA – The Philippine government on Tuesday officially commissioned MV Nilad, a South Korean-donated marine cleanup vessel that would help remove floating waste from Manila Bay as part of efforts to restore one of the country&#x27;s most polluted waterways.</p><p>The vessel, named after the native mangrove plant nilad, was turned over under the $8.2-million Enhancement of Marine Litter Management in Manila Bay Project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).</p><p>Designed for marine litter collection, MV Nilad is equipped with a conveyor system for collecting floating waste, a crane for garbage hauling, firefighting equipment, and an oil boom for oil spill response. It can collect up to 10 tons of marine litter in a single operation and is expected to operate between 300 and 400 hours annually.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/01/25/24/study-millions-of-plastic-trash-found-in-portions-of-manila-bay">Study: Millions of plastic trash found in portions of Manila Bay </a></div><p>Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna described the vessel as a symbol of the Philippines&#x27; commitment to protecting Manila Bay.</p><p>“[The MV Nilad is a] symbol of our collective vision for healthier ecosystems and natural resources for the Filipino people,” Cuna said.</p><p>He added that the project reflects the shared commitment of the Philippines and South Korea to rehabilitate Manila Bay, one of the country&#x27;s most important yet environmentally challenged bodies of water.</p><p>Under the project, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will operate the vessel during cleanup missions, while DENR personnel will use it for environmental monitoring, research, and marine litter assessments.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/03/11/20/manila-bay-rehabilitation-5-establishments-polluting-manila-bay-shuttered">5 establishments &#x27;polluting&#x27; Manila Bay shuttered </a></div><p>Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, reading a message from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said the vessel also represented the growing partnership between the Philippines and South Korea.</p><p>“The MV Nilad is a concrete reflection of the friendship” between the two countries, Lopez said. </p><p>“When nations work together, challenges can find lasting solution,” he added. </p><p>The Department of Transportation will assist the DENR in maintaining the vessel&#x27;s operations.</p><p>South Korean Ambassador Lee Sanghwa said the deployment of MV Nilad and a garbage hauling truck underscores the expanding maritime cooperation between the two countries.</p><p>“The Philippines is the only ASEAN nation that maintains a regular annual dialogue with South Korea,” Lee said.</p><p>“This milestone demonstrates how South Korea-Philippine maritime cooperation is deepening and diversifying. South Korea remains fully committed to upholding this partnership in the years ahead,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/4/ph-south-korea-sign-business-deals-on-shipbuilding-nuclear-energy-1658">Philippines, South Korea sign business deals on shipbuilding, nuclear energy </a></div><p>The cleanup vessel is expected to support ongoing efforts to reduce marine pollution in Manila Bay.</p><p>In 2023, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it collected around 138 metric tons of garbage from the bay in about a month. A 2024 study by the EcoWaste Coalition, however, found a 36-percent decline in the volume of marine litter and a 42-percent reduction in the total weight of collected waste compared with the previous year.</p><p>Cuna said the DENR would continue working with local government units on relocating coastal communities that contribute to marine pollution and on other long-term measures to improve water quality in Manila Bay, which is bordered by Metro Manila as well as the provinces of Bataan and Cavite.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oUHXU8xW_d8?&amp;t=10s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TbMt8oFuQSI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine government on Tuesday officially commissioned MV Nilad, a South Korean-donated marine cleanup vessel that will help remove floating waste from Manila Bay as part of efforts to restore one of the country's most polluted waterways.</p>

The Philippine government on Tuesday officially commissioned MV Nilad, a South Korean-donated marine cleanup vessel that will help remove floating waste from Manila Bay as part of efforts to restore one of the country's most polluted waterways.

PH receives South Korean-donated cleanup vessel for Manila Bay

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PH receives South Korean-donated cleanup vessel for Manila Bay

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 30, 2026 02:03 PM PHT

|

Updated June 30, 2026 02:04 PM PHT

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South Korea

DENR

Philippine Coast Guard

PCG

MV Nilad

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