Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Carlos Trazo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine government has entered into a five-year collaboration with Rotterdam-based non-profit The Ocean Cleanup to tackle plastic pollution in the Pasig River, deploying innovative low-cost technologies to intercept waste before it flows into Manila Bay.The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the initiative is part of a broader rehabilitation strategy, combining advanced waste interception systems with regulatory measures under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act, which obliges major companies to recover and recycle plastic packaging.“The Pasig River has carried the burden of our consumption habits for far too long. We cannot allow this river to remain a pipeline of plastic to the ocean. This agreement is a decisive step toward breaking that cycle,” Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said.The Ocean Cleanup, which has deployed 21 interceptors across 10 countries and removed more than 52 million kilograms of waste globally, will adapt its solar-powered automated systems to handle the heavy waste load of the Pasig River.Cuna emphasized that the partnership supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli” directive.“By integrating The Ocean Cleanup’s cutting-edge solutions with the government’s local restoration programs, the partnership aims to fulfill the President’s vision of a clean, navigable, and vibrant Pasig River that serves as a cornerstone for sustainable urban renewal and national pride,” he said.The project also forms part of The Ocean Cleanup’s 30 Cities Program, which seeks to scale interceptor deployments across Asia and the Americas by 2030. Knowledge transfer to the Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office will ensure local authorities can sustain operations beyond the project’s duration.“This ensures that once the project reaches maturity, local authorities will be fully equipped with the specialized skills and technological insights necessary to maintain the river&#x27;s cleanliness for future generations,” Cuna added.The Ocean Cleanup’s founder and CEO Boyan Slat welcomed the partnership. “This agreement with DENR brings together local leadership and global expertise to accelerate action in one of the world&#x27;s most important coastal regions. By combining research, data, and operational experience, we can identify where our Interceptor technology will have the greatest impact and help stop plastic before it reaches Manila Bay and the ocean,” he said.Preparations are already underway, with nearly 100 sites surveyed for deployment in the Manila Bay region. Aside from the Pasig River, the first interceptor barrier will be installed on the Meycauayan River in Bulacan. Renewable energy developer Energies PH is also supporting the initiative.“This partnership allows us to confront the problem from both ends, by holding producers accountable and by deploying the technology needed to intercept the waste already in our waters,” Cuna said.

The Philippine government has entered into a five-year collaboration with Rotterdam-based non-profit The Ocean Cleanup to tackle plastic pollution in the Pasig River, deploying innovative low-cost technologies to intercept waste before it flows into Manila Bay.

The Philippine government has entered into a five-year collaboration with Rotterdam-based non-profit The Ocean Cleanup to tackle plastic pollution in the Pasig River, deploying innovative low-cost technologies to intercept waste before it flows into Manila Bay.

PH strikes 5-year deal with The Ocean Cleanup to rehabilitate Pasig River

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PH strikes 5-year deal with The Ocean Cleanup to rehabilitate Pasig River

Carlos Trazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 04, 2026 11:59 PM PHT

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Philippines

The Ocean Cleanup

deal

Pasig River

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