Manila Bay

Manila Bay is a natural harbor that serves the Port of Manila, located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It has been very important for trade and travel between the Philippines and other countries, even before Spanish occupation. The bay covers an area of 1,994 km² and has a coastline that stretches for 190 km. It is bounded by the provinces of Cavite and Metro Manila on the east, Bulacan and Pampanga on the north, and Bataan on the west and northwest.

The bay is fed by many rivers, with the Pampanga River providing almost half of the fresh water that flows into it. Manila Bay has an average depth of 17 meters and holds a huge volume of water. The entrance to the bay is nearly 19 km wide and widens to 48 km. Islands like Corregidor and Caballo split the entrance into two channels. On the shores of the bay are volcanic peaks covered in tropical plants, and there are several important harbors used by many ships for both local and international travel.

History

Manila Bay was connected to Laguna de Bay about 3,000 years ago. Natural changes caused the two to separate, and today they connect only through the Pasig River. The bay was an important place in history, including the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898, where American forces showed their naval power.

During the Russo-Japanese War, three Russian ships stopped in Manila for repairs but stayed there until the war ended. In World War II, the area was used by Japanese forces. Today, Manila Bay is still important for trade and fishing, though growing cities are affecting the water quality. It is also a popular place for people to visit, especially to watch the sunset. In 2011, strong winds from Typhoon Pedring caused flooding, but the sea walls were fixed and reopened to the public in 2012.

Ecosystem

The area around Manila Bay has many different kinds of plants and animals living in coastal and water areas. You can find forests near the land, mangroves near the water, mudflats, sandy beaches, seagrass, and coral reefs.

There are many birds in the area, including some that are in danger of disappearing. The waters were once full of fish like catfish and mackerels, but now there are more squid, shrimp, and small fish like herrings and anchovies. Mangroves help protect the land from strong storms and winds. They also give homes to many plants and animals. Sadly, most of the mangroves that used to grow here are gone today.

Wetlands around the bay help keep water clean, give homes to fish and birds, and protect land from flooding. Coral reefs give homes to many fish, and when these reefs disappear, it affects how many fish there are. Seagrass beds also give shelter to fish and other sea creatures. Forests further inland give food and materials to people and help keep the soil and water healthy.

Key developments

Land reclamation

Main article: Land reclamation in Metro Manila

Projects to create new land around Manila Bay have been used for homes and factories. These projects have reduced areas with mangroves and shortened the shoreline. Between 1944 and 1991, about 600 meters of shoreline was added in the northern part. Plans exist to expand a naval base using more than 7,000 hectares of shallow water and coastland.

Land conversion

Changing mangrove and mudflat areas into fish farms has altered the shape of the bay. What was once an irregular shoreline in 1944 became more straight by 1977. Most of the bay, except near ports, is used for fishing, which is a main source of jobs for people living along the coast.

Waterfront development

In 2002, the city started improving the area along the water to create a public space called Baywalk. This 2 km area is used for walking, fishing, and social activities. Statues of important local figures like Arsenio Lacson, Ninoy Aquino, and Evelio Javier are placed there. Though funds were low at first, the Baywalk became a lively place for people to enjoy the waterfront.

Legislation

Manila Bay is important for protecting the environment. The 1987 Constitution says the government must protect nature. In 2001, Manila Bay was recognized for providing food, jobs, and tourism. International rules to protect harmful chemicals were also put in place.

Rehabilitation

Efforts to improve Manila Bay’s environment are growing. In 2011, the Supreme Court asked authorities to remove illegal buildings near the water to help reduce pollution. Community events like the “Manila Bay Clean Up Run” help raise money and awareness.

In January 2019, the government began a program to restore the bay. This led to moving a big fireworks show from February 2019 to a different location.

Beach nourishment

Main article: Manila Dolomite Beach

In September 2020, work began to create a new beach using a process called beach nourishment. This is part of efforts to protect the coast and improve the environment. Some people worried about the timing during the COVID-19 pandemic and possible environmental effects. Officials say the beach will help tourism, protect buildings from waves, and improve water quality. The new beach has already attracted birds and improved water safety.

Bridges

Plans for a bridge or bridge-tunnel crossing Manila Bay have existed since 1987. In January 2020, officials approved building the Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge, also called the Manila Bay Bridge. This bridge will connect the provinces of Bataan and Cavite. Design work and surveys are ongoing before construction starts.

Water quality

Manila Bay's water quality has been changing due to many reasons, like more factories, more people living nearby, and many human activities. All these things hurt the environment and the water in the bay. There are many factories and shipyards around the bay. About 30,000 ships come and go each year, carrying people and goods. Waste from factories and homes flows into the bay, making the water and the bottom of the bay dirty and harming sea life.

The salt level in Manila Bay changes depending on where you are and the season. Near rivers, the water is less salty. Soil erosion, where land washes away, also changes the shape of the bay's shore. Some places have walls to stop this from happening.

Pollution from ships and boats adds oil and other harmful substances to the water. Oil spills have happened in the past, and traces of metals like copper and zinc are found in the water. Pesticides used on farms also end up in the bay through rivers. These pollutants hurt the plants and animals that live in the bay. In 2024, a big oil spill happened during a strong storm, spreading oil over several kilometers of the bay.

Future

Sea level rise

Global warming poses a serious threat to Manila Bay and the cities near it. Studies show that the sea level may rise between 0.75 and 1.9 meters by the year 2100. This rise could affect many developed areas, industries, and crowded populations near the bay.

In 2010, during a meeting about flooding in Manila, a Dutch ambassador suggested closing Manila Bay and building walls called dykes to protect the area from rising sea levels caused by climate change. He also mentioned that closing the bay this way would mean finding a new place for the Port of Manila.

Challenges

Because caring for the environment is not always a top priority in the Philippines, learning about and preparing for global warming is already a big step. To better protect Manila Bay, more research is needed to understand its ecosystems. This could include building protective walls, making laws to save natural habitats, and teaching the public about conservation. Long-term goals include reducing pollution from nearby industries, improving water quality, and setting better rules for waste disposal.

Notable events

Manila Bay has been the site of important historical battles. In 1646, during the Eighty Years' War, Spanish forces fought off Dutch attempts to invade Manila in a series of naval battles known as the Battles of La Naval de Manila. Later, on May 1, 1898, the Battle of Manila Bay took place, a major naval battle that ended Spanish rule in the Philippines during the Spanish–American War.

Unfortunately, the area has also seen tragic events. In 2007, a young woman named Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez went missing during a family visit in Navotas, part of Metro Manila. Her body was found more than two years later.