The Department of the Interior and Local Government–National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), through the Manila Bay Clean-Up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program (MBCRPP), convened National Government Agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the academe, communities, and private sector partners during the 2025 Manila Bay Day Stakeholders Forum held on December 16, 2025 at the Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay, reinforcing unified action for the sustained rehabilitation and resilience of Manila Bay.

With the theme “Daluyong ng Pagkakaisa: Harnessing Collective Action Towards a Cleaner and Resilient Manila Bay,” the forum highlighted the importance of science-based governance, community participation, and cross-sector collaboration in addressing pollution, urbanization, and climate risks.

In her opening message, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, underscored intergenerational responsibility as a guiding principle of the Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts, emphasizing that the initiative is not only about addressing past environmental damage but also about safeguarding the future.

“Our work for Manila Bay is not just about correcting past damage—it is about honoring the future. Every partnership we strengthen, and every system we improve, brings us closer to a Manila Bay that future generations will inherit with pride,” Director Agustin said.

Echoing these sentiments, Director Debbie T. Torres, CESO III, highlighted that the rehabilitation and preservation of Manila Bay call for sustained and collective action among government institutions, local stakeholders, and communities. She stressed that the long-term success of the initiative depends on a shared commitment to environmental stewardship across generations.

“The preservation of Manila Bay is a generational mission. It is a testament to our commitment to the environment and to the legacy we wish to leave for future generations. When we look out at the bay, let us see it as a reflection of our resolve,” Director Torres explained.

The forum served as a strategic platform for stakeholders to align efforts in complying with the Supreme Court’s Continuing Mandamus to restore Manila Bay to Class SB water quality. Representatives from key Mandamus agencies, including the Manila Bay Site Coordination Management Office (MBSCMO), the Environmental Management Bureau–NCR (EMB-NCR), and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development–NCR (DHSUD-NCR), joined local government units and non-government partners to review progress, address gaps, and strengthen inter-agency coordination.

The activity featured two major sessions. Session I, “How Far We’ve Come in Restoring the Life of Manila Bay,” presented updates on the implementation of the Continuing Mandamus, led by Site Coordinating Management Officer Haidee D. Pabalate, RPF, of MBSCMO, followed by panel discussions with EMB-NCR and DHSUD-NCR. The session also highlighted LGU best practices supported by the Local Governance Support Fund (LGSF) for solid waste management monitoring. 

Meanwhile, Session II, “Partnerships for the Bay” underscored the role of non-government stakeholders, with the ARUP Group, led by Southeast Asia Water Lead Adrian Marsden, presenting digital innovations for Metro Manila waterways protection, alongside RiverRecycle and Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies, Inc. (BEST Inc.), which showcased community-led, science-based initiatives on waste analysis, river cleaning, and livelihood-linked solid waste management.

The forum concluded with a renewed commitment among stakeholders to strengthen coordination, institutionalize evidence-based and participatory approaches, and translate shared commitments into concrete actions that advance the long-term rehabilitation and resilience of Manila Bay.