THE MANILA BAY -COASTAL WETLANDTHE MANILA BAY -

COASTAL WETLANDMARLENE S. MELARPIS

Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesRegion IV-A CALABARZON, Philippines

marlene_melarpis @yahoo.com

M a n i l aB a y

ABSTRACTABSTRACTCoastal wetland in the Philippines particularly the

Manila Bay Area provides a variety of benefits to millions of Filipino living around the area. Such benefits include source of food, livelihood, employment, recreation, tourism as well as development activities. This wetland area however, faces various risk and challenges such as water pollution, overexploitation of resources, siltation and sedimentation, habitat degradation and multiple and conflicting uses. Sustainability of this resource to continue performing its function calls for collective efforts and participation of all concerned groups that have stakes in the bay area.

S o u t h C h I n a S e a

IntroductionManila Bay is geographically situated within 14˚ 40’ latitude and 120˚ 46’longitude. It is bounded on the northwest by the Zambales Mountains and on the southwest by the South China Sea. Manila Bay with its semi-enclosed estuary facing the South China Sea, represents a vital national asset, providing a source of food, livelihood, employment, recreation, to an estimated 23 million Filipinos. It contributes as much as half (55%) of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It has diverse ecosystems such as coral reefs, forest, swamps and wetlands and the mangroves which are not only home to a diverse wildlife and fish but are buffers to storm surges and ocean currents. The bay is a flyway of thousands of birds from Siberia and other part of Northern China.

In a study conducted by PEMSEA-UNDP-IMO in 2005, with regards to the valuation of selected uses and habitats of Manila Bay, results showed that economic valuation of the uses of Manila Bay for fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and shipping and the benefits derived from bay habitats – Mangroves, mudflats and coral reefs was Php 8.3 billion. However initial valuation of environment damages due to loss of habitats, over extraction of groundwater and impacts on human health was Php 4 billion, a critical indication of the ecological, economic and social consequences of human activities

CHARACTERISTICS OF MANILA BAY AS COASTAL WETLAND

CHARACTERISTICS OF MANILA BAY AS COASTAL WETLAND

Manila bay is classified as shallow sea bay, intertidal flats, estuaries and mangrove type of wetland. Coastal and marine habitats in the area includes mangrove, mudflats, sandy beaches, seagrass and coral reefs. However, these ecosystems are highly stressed by unsustainable resources utilization that causes significant decline. Records shows that from over a period of ten years mangrove areas decline from 1276 has. in 1995 to 412 has. in 2005. Likewise, seagrass beds, coral reefs and mudflats also declined in terms of areas. Mangrove assessment in 2005 within the Bay area showed a total of fifteen (15) species belonging to 9 families that are growing along the bay and Avicennia marina dominated the area.

With regards to bird species, a total of 19, 139 individuals belonging to 33 families and 99 species were observed at various monitoring sites along the bay area. (PEMSEA 2005). The endangered Chinese Egret (Egrettaeulophotes) and Black- winged cuckoo-shrike were some of the important bird species sighted in the area.

In terms of the quality of fish yield in the bay, there was a tremendous decline as shown by the composition of fish catch which include relative abundance of squid, shrimp, and small pelagic species such as herrings and anchovies, the disappearance of turbots and lactarids, and the decline of usually large commercial species like snappers, sea catfish and mackerels.

MIGRATORY BIRDS SITE

MANGROVE AREAS

MUDFLATAREAS

COASTAL HABITAT MAP

FISHPONDAREAS

FISH CAGES

FISH LANDING SITE

AQUACULTURE AREAS MAP

PORT

NAVIGATIONALROUTE

PORT AND NAVIGATIONAL ROUTE

MAP

ON-GOINGRECLAMATION

PROPOSEDRECLAMATION

RECLAMATION AREAS

MAP

PRIORITY ISSUES / AREAS OF CONCERN

A. Water Pollution1. Water Quality

a. Water column – coliform, nutrients (phosphate) pesticides oil and grease

b. Sediment- heavy metals (mercury and copper)

2. Harmful algal blooms - Red tide- Fish kills

3. Solid Waste- domestic / household - commercial and industrial- agricultural

(animal manure, leaves, hay)

-septage sludge- dredged materials

4. Toxic and hazardous waste- industrial waste- hospital and

health – care related

5. Soil Pollution

B. RESOURCES AND HABITATS

2. Destruction / degradation of habitats and ecosystem

- Mangrove- Mudflats- Coral reefs- Seagrass beds- Beaches / sandy

shores- Forest and watershed

areas- Other wetlands

(swamps)- Rivers and lake

1. Over exploitation of resources- Fisheries, shellfisheries- Ground water- Biodiversity

3. Coastal hazards (natural and man made)

- Flooding- Earthquake- Typhoons- Volcanic eruption- Shipping and port

operations accidents

4. Sea – level rise

5. Changes in shoreline features

6. Destruction of historical, cultural,archeological and unique geological sites

- uncontrolled development- reclamation

AREAS VULNERABLE

TO SEA LEVEL RISE

HIGH ESTIMATE

WORSE CASESCENARIO

LOW ESTIMATE

C. PARTNERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

1. Absence of integrated management framework

- multiple – use conflict- limited or sectoral planning- fragmented or weak institutional arrangements

- lack of coordination among concerned agencies

- absence of comprehensive mechanism to address the negative impact of development

2. Lack of awareness and capacity

- Lack of sense of ownership- Lack of understanding of the values of the

bay and its socio-economics benefits

- Unsustained IEC campaign- Viewed primarily as a government

responsibilities instead of stakeholders i responsibilities

- Limited skilled human resources in ICM /CRM

3. Lack of resources- limited public – private partnership- limited private sector investment- limited stakeholders involvement- limited ICM program replication- Unsustained government support

STRATEGIES AND ACTION PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES / AREAS OF CONCERN

IN THE MANILA BAY

STRATEGIES AND ACTION PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES / AREAS OF CONCERN

IN THE MANILA BAY

ISSUES / AREAS OF CONCERN

STRATEGY

Overexploitation of Resources

Protect :- implement holistic resource management to address over-extraction of resources and destruction and conversion of habitats by applying an ecosystem management approach to all development projects- Upgrade and maintain the quality of health among the users and beneficiaries of Manila Bay by providing food security among coastal communities through fair and equitable access to adequate and safe supply of fish and seafood

ISSUES / AREAS OF CONCERN

STRATEGY

Habitat degradation- mangroves- mudflats- soft bottoms- coral reefs- seagrass beds

Protect :- Protect and conserve biological diversity by establishing protected areas for critical habitats, and providing buffer zones around these areas and organizing community-based management of coastal habitats of Bay-wide significanceMitigate :- Manage dredging and reclamation activities by (a) formulating guidelines and means of enforcing rules for dredging and reclamation activities, with consideration to the impacts on resource values, human health and the land-and-sea-use zoning system; and (b) assessing environmental risk of dredging and land reclamation within the context of ecosystem management and public benefit

ISSUES / AREAS OF CONCERN

STRATEGY

Invading species Mitigate :- Apply appropriate technologies and processes to prevent and monitor the intrusion of all forms of alien and invading species via ballast water

Multiple and Conflicting Uses

Mitigate :- Prevent illegal intrusion/encroachment and human settlements along waterways by providing tenurial and resource-use instruments to primary users (i.e., upland communities in watershed areas; coastal communities in coastal and marine areas), in order to sustain productivity of critical resources, and prevent destructive, illegal and conflicting use of resources

ISSUES / AREAS OF CONCERN

STRATEGY

Shoreline changes - Degradation of shoreline areas caused by reclamation activities, continous conversion and sedimentation- Shallowing of the Bay- Sea level rise due to land subsidence caused by over-extraction of groundwater salt water intrusion due to over

Shoreline changes and sea level rise (due to over-extraction of groundwater)

Mitigate :- Manage dredging and reclamation activitiesProtect :- Provide adequate and safe water supply to urban and rural communities

Shoreline changes (due to siltation and sedimentation)

Protect :- Institute policies and programs to curb uncontrolled developments, which affect ecosystems, such as, enforcing guidelines and regulations for road construction, construction sites and forestry to minimize erosion and sediment input

CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

Preparation and implementation of effective Wetland Management Plan anchored on the framework of the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) focusing on interagency and multisectoral interactive approach which is politically acceptable is the best we can undertake to protect and restore Manila Bay as a vital wetland area .

Vision :“ Manila Bay- reflective of God’s glory – is a

clean, wholesome and productive ecosystem, a center of socio-economic development, and a natural heritage nurtured by genuine Filipino values towards a better quality of life for present and future generations.”

Thank You