Manila Bay (MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the bill establishing the Manila Bay Aquatic Resources Management Council (MBARMC), which is meant to lead in the administration, supervision, and conservation of the waters and fishery resources of the historic Manila Bay. 

Given third and final reading approval during a recent plenary session was House Bill (HB) No. 10158. 

Nominal voting results showed that the measure received 185 "yes" votes against only three "no" votes. There were zero abstentions. 

“The Manila Bay Aquatic Resources Management Council (MBARMC) will serve as the sole authority to manage, control, and supervise the Manila Bay. It will ensure that all plans, programs and initiatives to conserve the waters and fishery resources of Manila Bay are harmonized,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said. 

“The bill aims to ensure the speedy, consistent and efficient adoption and implementation of programs by concerned government agencies and local government units over Manila Bay, in compliance with the writ of continuing mandamus issued by the Supreme Court,” added the leader of the 300-plus strong House. 

The bill amends Section 16 Article 1 on Municipal Fisheries of Republic Act (RA) No. 8550, as amended by RA No. 10654, to exclude the provinces, cities, and municipalities bordering the coastal waters of the Manila Bay area. 

The proposed law also sets the composition of the MBARMC as follows: Secretary of Agriculture; Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; Secretary of the Interior and Local Government; Secretary of Human Settlements and Urban Development; Secretary of Health; Secretary of Public Works and Highways; Secretary of Justice; Chairperson of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Administrator of the Local Water Utilities and Administration; Governor of the Province of Bataan; Governor of the Province of Bulacan; Governor of the Province of Pampanga; Governor of the Province of Cavite; Mayors of the cities and municipalities bordering Manila Bay; Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, and Director of the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group. 

In 2008, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a decision compelling the MMDA through mandamus to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay. 

The case stemmed from a case filed in 1999 by concerned residents of Manila Bay filed before the Regional Trial Court against several government agencies including petitioner MMDA for the clean-up, rehabilitation, and protection of the Manila Bay.