The Manila Bay is still alive, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said in a press conference, citing the remaining aquatic resources that thrive in the bay.

A presentation made by the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation Inc. showed that at least 51 coral species and an additional 167 fish species were found within Corregidor Island and Carabao Island which lies within Manila Bay.

“However, as you can see on the video, life in Manila Bay is still vibrant. It can still be safe. These diversities have strong potential for recovery,” Physical Oceanographer Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo said.

The oceanographer added that Manila Bay remains capable of filling the seafood needs of the country, as it supplies food and income, especially to fishermen that live around the bay.

Despite the presence of abundant aquatic resources, Repollo emphasized that dredging and reclamation activities pose the greatest threat to the bay—impacting both human communities and marine life.

The increase of microbial resources within the water body was also linked to the reclamation projects as it caused changes in sediments, seabeds and worsened the bay’s water quality.

Bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae and Stenotrophomonas, which could cause urinary tract infections (UTI), respiratory infections and blood infections.

Reclamation sites are also linked in causing blockage of the pollutants within the rivers and tributaries surrounding the bay.

“Contaminants will likely stay within reclamation areas, they stay for more than 10 days and sometimes up to three weeks, embedding into sediments, structural goals and surrounding materials,” the oceanographer added.

A diagram presented showed that a strong concentration of pollutants reside within the coastal areas of Cavite City, Noveleta and Kawit, and the seaboards of Manila.

DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo- Loyzaga said that floods will worsen, and there will be a bigger loss in biodiversity and fisheries if the reclamation projects continue.

“I cannot assure that there will be project cancellations, however, these reclamation projects will undergo a tough scrutiny,” the environment secretary said.

Last 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. implemented a ban on at least 22 reclamation projects, citing that thorough assessment is being conducted.

Yulo-Loyzaga said that a second cumulative assessment will be done, which will encompass a 3D visualization on the effects of flooding, and continued work on monitoring and evaluation of the Manila Bay region.