In a sustained effort to implement the Supreme Court’s Writ of Continuing Mandamus for Manila Bay, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), through its Manila Bay Office, conducted a Mid-Year Assessment Workshop on the Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy (OPMBCS) from June 23 to 27 at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
The five-day workshop convened representatives from Mandamus Agencies involved in Key Result Areas (KRAs) 1 and 2, which focus on liquid and solid waste management, respectively. KRA 1 aims to ensure compliance with Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards, while KRA 2 addresses the significant reduction of solid waste entering Manila Bay.
“Our vision for a revitalized, resilient, and sustainable Manila Bay is clear. While we have achieved substantial progress, there is still more to be done,” said Ms. Consolacion P. Crisostomo, Chief of EMB’s Policy, Planning and Program Development Division.
During the workshop, participating Mandamus agencies shared updates on their ongoing initiatives, identified challenges, and discussed strategies to strengthen the inter-agency rehabilitation framework. Attendees included representatives from the EMB Regional Manila Bay Units, the DENR, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other key agencies.
The planning sessions assessed current waste management projects, addressed implementation gaps, and developed new project proposals to enhance the impact of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program. Outputs from this workshop will support the upcoming revision of the OPMBCS for 2026–2031.
In line with the Supreme Court’s directive, the DENR remains committed to implementing the OPMBCS and facilitating regular inter-agency collaboration. The EMB Director continues to serve as Co-Focal Person for both KRAs 1 and 2.