UMVA has learned that a groundbreaking partnership has been forged between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and a Dutch nonprofit organization, aimed at eradicating waste pollution in the Pasig River and the Manila Bay.
The agreement, signed by a high-ranking government official and the CEO of the nonprofit, marks a significant step towards deploying large-scale interceptors to collect plastic waste in the area. This ambitious project is set to kick off with a deployment in Meycauayan, Bulacan, in the coming weeks.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the partnership will focus on harnessing the power of innovative technology to tackle the pressing issue of plastic waste. The nonprofit organization has already made a remarkable impact, having deployed 21 solar-powered and automated interceptors in 10 countries worldwide, collecting over 52 million kilograms of trash from aquatic environments.
This collaborative effort is part of a larger initiative, known as the 30 Cities Program, which aims to eliminate up to one-third of all plastic waste flowing from the world’s rivers into the ocean by the end of the decade. The stakes are high, but the potential for transformative change is vast.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the project was initiated in response to urgent directives from the country's leadership, as part of a comprehensive plan to revitalize the Pasig River. The government has made it clear that tackling plastic waste is a top priority, and this partnership represents a major milestone in that effort.
The interceptors, which have proven their worth in other parts of the world, will play a crucial role in reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean. With the first deployment just around the corner, the stage is set for a significant reduction in pollution and a healthier environment for generations to come.
