Editing Manila Bay (section)

==Key developments==
[[File:Roxas Blvd.JPG|thumb|[[Roxas Boulevard]] facing Manila Bay]]
[[File:WTMP Team Waka Waka A-29.JPG|thumb|right|The Baywalk.]]
[[File:Metro Manila view from Manila Bay - Makati and Pasay (Fort San Felipe, Cavite City; 2017-04-03).jpeg|thumb|right|Manila skyline from Manila Bay]]

===Land reclamation===
{{Main|Land reclamation in Metro Manila}}

Largely intended for use in human settlement and industrial development, land reclamation projects contributed to the reduction of mangroves around the area, as well as significant reduction in Metro Manila's shoreline.<ref name="Jacinto et al (B)"/> From 1944 to 1991, approximately {{convert|600|m|sp=us}} of shoreline have been reclaimed in the northern part.<ref name="Jacinto et al (A)"/> In 2009, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said that there are  {{convert|7,000|ha}} of foreshore areas in Cavite and {{convert|5,000|ha}} of shallow coastal waters to expand [[Sangley Point]] naval base as part of reclamation projects, which are mostly funded by foreign investors.<ref name="WJP">World Justice Project. (2009). "Eco-lawyer Presses Manila Bay Clean Up". Inquirer Company, Philippines accessed at {{cite web |url=http://www.worldjusticeproject.org/Eco-lawyer-presses-Manila-Bay-cleanup |title=Eco-lawyer presses Manila Bay cleanup &#124; World Justice Project |access-date=September 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113103249/http://www.worldjusticeproject.org/Eco-lawyer-presses-Manila-Bay-cleanup |archive-date=November 13, 2011 }}</ref>

===Land conversion===
[[Land conversion|Conversion]] of [[mangrove]] and mudflat areas into [[fish pond|fishponds]] have impacted the physical features of the bay whereby what used to be irregular shoreline in 1944 has become more linear by 1977.<ref name="Jacinto et al (B)"/> Shoreline retreat continued as man-made structures such as fish pens occupied the coastal areas, with [[progradation]] dominant from 1977 to 1991. Most area of the bay, except those near the ports, are largely used as a major fishing ground, with fisheries and aquaculture as the dominant source of livelihood for the inhabitants in the coastal areas.<ref name="Jacinto et al (B)"/>

From 1990, approximately 1,200 hectares of mangroves were cleared, with the land converted for aquaculture or used as salt beds.<ref
name="PEMSEA">PEMSEA. (2004) Manila Bay: Refined Risk Assessment. PEMSEA Technical Information Report No. 2004/01. Global Environment Facility / United Nations Development Programme / International Maritime Organization Regional Programme on Building Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA). Quezon City, Philippines.</ref> In 1993 much of the fisheries resources steadily declined due to overfishing and overharvesting.

===Waterfront development===
With then Mayor [[Lito Atienza]]'s program ''Buhayin ang Maynila'' (Revitalize Manila) in 2002, the local government made the initiative of enhancing the seaside promenade of Manila through urban renewal, upkeep and improvements. What later became known as Baywalk, the facelift of the 2&nbsp;km strip of central public space aimed at creating a venue for social interaction and recreation.<ref name="gomez">Gomez, J.E. (2008). "Waterfront design without policy? The actual uses of Manila's Baywalk." Cities. (25) pp 86-106</ref>

With reference to its colonial history,<ref name="gomez"/> Manila's waterfront expresses power through the dominant classes<ref name="debarros">De Barros, J., Myers, G.A., Harris, R. (Reviewer): Order and place: in a Colonial city. Patterns of struggle and resistance in Georgetown, British Guiana, 1889–1924. Verandahs of power: colonialism and space in urban Africa Urban History Review, 32(1). Fall, Toronto.</ref> which uses the Baywalk for exercise, fishing or socialization. The mix of land utilization and social activity provides public access to the edge of the sea, and counters vagrancy and mendicancy.<ref name="gomez"/>  Reviving Manila's waterfront through the Baywalk injected vibrance and historic appreciation into the public space with the statues of [[Arsenio Lacson]], [[Ninoy Aquino]] and [[Evelio Javier]] placed in key areas.

At the onset, lack of funds hampered the revival of the Baywalk.<ref name="gomez"/> Eventually, planning for the Baywalk means understanding and regulating diversity of functions with appropriate policy.<ref name="gomez"/>

===Legislation===
Manila Bay and its corresponding resources are considered critical recipients of environmental protection. As indicated in the 1987 Constitution (Article II, Section 16) there exists legal basis for environmental protection with the provision that: ''“the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”''<ref name="Oposa">Oposa, A. (1996). Legal Marketing of Environmental Law: The Philippine Experience. Proceedings Fourth International Conference on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement. United States Environmental Protection Agency National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP).USA:Cincinnati. pp 405-418</ref>

Manila Bay Declaration 2001 recognized Manila Bay as a source of food, employment and income for the people as well as the gateway for tourism and recreation.<ref name="mbemp 2001">Manila Bay Environmental Project (MBEMP).(2001). Manila Bay Coastal Strategy. Manila Bay Environmental Project (MBEMP). Quezon City, Philippines.</ref>

The [[Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants]] was adopted in 2001 and enforced in 2004.<ref name="ville"/>

=== Rehabilitation ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Ph-mm-manila-malate - bay view (2014).JPG|right|thumb|250px|View of Manila Bay and [[Manila Yacht Club]] from Harbour Square.]] -->
Despite the issues generally associated with developing countries, such as poverty, over-population and food security, there is surprisingly a growing concern for the environmental vitality of Manila Bay.  Rehabilitation, which in this case refers to an attempt to improve an aquatic system and prevent further damage to the natural ecosystems,<ref name="cooke">G. Dennis Cooke (2005): Ecosystem Rehabilitation, Lake and Reservoir Management, 21:2, 218-221</ref> is a responsibility assumed both by government and non-government organizations.  The [[Supreme Court of the Philippines]] for example had issued the Metro Manila Development Authority an order to "demolish illegal structures and dwellings along riverbanks and waterways connected to Manila Bay by 2015" in March 2011<ref name="abs-cbn">{{cite news|date=March 4, 2011|title=SC wants concrete plan for Manila Bay cleanup|work=ABS-CBN News|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/metro-manila/03/04/11/sc-wants-concrete-plan-manila-bay-cleanup|access-date=September 23, 2011}}</ref> as an attempt to decrease mass occurrences of water pollution. Projects involving the wider communities include organization of the "Manila Bay Clean Up Run," which essentially supports the Philippine Environment Agencies with their objectives to raise funding and awareness towards the rehabilitation of Manila Bay's natural environments.

On January 27, 2019, the [[Department of Environment and Natural Resources]] started a rehabilitation program that is being administered by different government agencies.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mayuga|first=Jonathan|date=January 14, 2019|title=DENR, 12 agencies to craft Manila Bay rehab plan|work=BusinessMirror|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/denr-12-agencies-to-craft-manila-bay-rehab-plan/|access-date=January 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Santos, Tina G.|date=February 1, 2019|title=Manila Bay Still Unsafe For Bathers|publisher=Inquirer.net|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1080191/manila-bay-still-unsafe-for-bathers|access-date=February 1, 2019}}</ref> Because of the rehabilitation, the [[Philippine International Pyromusical Competition|10th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition]] that was scheduled on February 16, 2019, at the [[SM Mall of Asia]] bayside area was postponed before being moved to [[SM City Clark]] on February 23, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 19, 2019|title=The Biggest and Greatest Pyromusical Show Moves to SM City Clark!|url=https://www.smsupermalls.com/post/the-biggest-and-greatest-pyromusical-show-moves-to-sm-city-clark|publisher=[[SM Supermalls]]}}</ref>

====Beach nourishment====
{{Main|Manila Dolomite Beach}}
[[File:Manila_Bay_beach_(Roxas_Boulevard,_Manila;_09-19-2020)_wiki.jpg|thumb|left|The beach during its temporary opening in September 2020.]]
In the early September 2020, work began on Manila Bay Beach, which was constructed through the process of [[beach nourishment]], which a common practice in the creation of beaches around the world. It is part of an overall [[integrated coastal zone management]] aimed at [[Coastal management|coastal defense]] of the Manila Bay rehabilitation.<ref name="MGBDolomite Impact">{{cite news |url=https://mgb.gov.ph/2015-05-13-02-02-11/mgb-news/890-impact-of-the-use-of-dolomite-in-beach-nourishment-in-manila-bay |title=Impact of the Use of Dolomite in Beach Nourishment in Manila Bay |publisher=BusinessMirror |date=November 2, 2020 |access-date=December 11, 2020 }}</ref> When the Manila Bay Beach project came to wider public attention, the project has received criticism from environment and heritage conservationist groups. Among these include the timing of the project which was implemented amidst the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and concerns of adverse environmental effects caused by dumping [[Dolomite (rock)|dolomite]] on the polluted Manila Bay.<ref name="approved">{{cite news |last1=Perez-Rubio |first1=Bella |title=Palace: P389-M Manila Bay 'white sand' project approved prior to pandemic |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/09/07/2040714/palace-p389-m-manila-bay-white-sand-project-approved-prior-pandemic |access-date=September 19, 2020 |work=The Philippine Star |date=September 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sabillo |first1=Kristine |title=Manila Bay sands project violates National Cultural Heritage Act, other laws - environmental groups |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/08/20/manila-bay-sands-project-violates-national-cultural-heritage-act-other-laws-environmental-groups |access-date=September 19, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=September 8, 2020}}</ref>

According to the [[Mines and Geosciences Bureau]], the project will benefit tourism, commerce and the environment. It will also protect coastal properties from erosion and storm surges, and [[beach nourishment]] is preferred over hard beach stabilizing structures (such as [[seawall]]s and [[groyne]]s).<ref name="MGBDolomite Impact" /> The [[Department of Health (Philippines)|Department of Health]] released a statement that the use of dolomite is not a known health hazard.<ref name="dolomitewont">{{cite news |last1=Hallare |first1=Katrina |title=Dolomite in Manila Bay 'white beach' won't cause health risks, DOH now says |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1333410/dolomite-in-manila-bay-white-beach-wont-cause-health-risks-doh-now-says |access-date=September 19, 2020 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=September 9, 2020}}</ref>

As with other [[beach nourishment]] projects, the area can serve as additional habitat for a number of species such as sea turtles, as well as sea birds and beach flora.<ref name="Beach Nourisment Benefits">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F1-4020-3301-X_2 |chapter=Beach Nourishment: Benefits, Theory and Case Examples |publisher=SpringerLink |doi=10.1007/1-4020-3301-X_2 |access-date=November 20, 2020 |title=Environmentally Friendly Coastal Protection |series=NATO Science Series |year=2005 |last1=Dean |first1=Robert G. |volume=53 |pages=25–40 |isbn=1-4020-3299-4 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stormingmedia.us/69/6983/A698382.html |title=Development and Evaluation of a Sea Turtle-Deflecting Hopper Dredge Draghead - Storming Media |access-date=2010-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629153848/http://www.stormingmedia.us/69/6983/A698382.html |archive-date=2011-06-29 }}</ref> When the beach was first opened to the public, a flock of [[egret]]s were seen at the beach area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/756364/egrets-drop-by-manila-bay-during-white-sands-project-opening/story/ |title=Egrets drop by Manila Bay during 'White Sands' project opening |publisher=GMA News |date=September 20, 2020 |access-date=December 22, 2020 }}</ref>

Water quality significantly improved, especially around the beach area. The DENR reported significant drop of [[fecal coliform]] level in the waters around the beach, from 2.2 million mpn/100ml last January 4, 2021 to 523,000 mpn/100 ml in February 2021, based on the average count from three monitoring stations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/2/18/DENR-records-significant-drop-in-Manila-Bay-s-coliform-level.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219042007/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/2/18/DENR-records-significant-drop-in-Manila-Bay-s-coliform-level.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |title=DENR records significant drop in Manila Bay's coliform level |last1=Yumol |first1=David Tristan |publisher=CNN Philippines |date=February 18, 2021 |access-date=April 8, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1131068 |title=DENR records further decrease in Manila Bay coliform level |work=Philippine News Agency |date=February 18, 2021 |access-date=April 8, 2021 }}</ref>

=== Bridges ===
[[File:Fort Drum and Mariveles Range.jpg|thumb|left|The proposed [[Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge]] will provide a permanent road link between the provinces of Bataan and Cavite. It will have a U-turn near Corregidor Island for future connection.]]
Plans of constructing a [[bridge]] or [[Bridge–tunnel|bridge-tunnel]] that crosses Manila Bay have been around since 1987. In January 2020, the [[National Economic and Development Authority]] approved the plan to construct the [[Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge]], also known as Manila Bay Bridge, which is expected to cross Manila Bay and connect the provinces of [[Bataan]] and [[Cavite]]. The detailed engineering design and marine geophysical surveys for the bridge are currently being completed before the start of the construction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Depasupil |first=William B. |date=2022-09-25 |title=Bataan-Cavite bridge underway |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/09/25/news/regions/bataan-cavite-bridge-underway/1859721 |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-22 |title=Engineering Design Contract Awarded for ADB-Supported Bataan–Cavite Bridge Project in the Philippines |url=https://www.adb.org/news/engineering-design-contract-awarded-adb-supported-bataan-cavite-bridge-project-philippines |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=Asian Development Bank |language=en}}</ref>