South Korea has reaffirmed its commitment to build a boat for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that would help clean up hundreds of thousand metric tons of marine litter in Manila Bay, an official of the South Korean Embassy in Manila said.
Lee Kyoo Ho, consul general of the Korean Embassy in Manila, said the pandemic has stalled the implementation of their joint project with the PCG and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to manage marine litter pollution in Manila Bay
International studies show that the Philippines accounts for about 800,000 metric tons of plastic marine pollution annually.
The five-year program will establish a marine litter monitoring system, station a clean up vessel near Manila Bay, and enhance marine litter management capacity. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will fund the project, which will cost around $7.7 million, or around P431.2 million.
“This project is scheduled to be implemented from 2021 to 2025. But due to the pandemic, it has been delayed a bit,” Lee told the BusinessMirror. “The three major components will be completed around either the end of 2025, or the beginning of 2026.”
The marine cleanup vessel will be designed and built by Korean engineers. Initially, the idea is to build a 60-tonnage cleanup vessel similar to what the Korean coast guard is using.
This will augment the PCGs capacity, which only has one 2-tonnage boat doing cleanup of the Manila Bay.
“KOICA will build a guideline for maintenance of the vessel and provide vessel staff with a capacity program for maintenance,” he said.
KOICA will also help the Philippines draft a policy or strategic plan to monitor marine litter in Manila Bay, which will be carried out by the national government, local government units surrounding Manila Bay and nongovernment organizations. Capacity building programs will also be designed by KOICA, DENR and PCG.
The marine litter monitoring system also includes data collection and analysis, and establishment of guidelines for marine litter management, Lee added.
“Korea is committed to strengthening its bilateral partnership with the Philippines in achieving clean, healthy and sustainable oceans by combating marine plastic pollution and securing maritime safety and security,” Lee said at the sidelines of the East Asia Summit Workshop on Maritime Cooperation hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila from August 30 to September 1, 2022.
In addition, the Korea Export Import Bank (KEXIM Bank) has also pledged to finance a $105-million project for maritime safety enhancement in Rombling and Cebu in partnership with the Philippine Department of Transportation.
The buoys are aimed at helping reduce the risks of marine accidents and eventually, protecting marine environment.
“Korea will remain committed to supporting the Philippines’s initiative to promote and advance regional cooperation to keep our seas and oceans clean, healthy and sustainable,” he said.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes