European Interest

EU, Philippines clean up Manila Bay

FLICKR/COUNTRYGIRLATHEART/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Europe is one with the Philippines in helping remove plastic wastes from the ocean, according to the European Union’s ambassador to the Philippines, Franz Jessen.

The EU joined a cleanup of the Manila Bay on September 22. The EU Delegation to the Philippines worked with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, volunteers from the International Coastal Cleanup, and staff members from the Danish and French embassies.

As reported by the Rappler, Jessen said joining the cleanup “is an expression of solidarity of the EU with the Philippines in ensuring that our oceans are rid of plastic wastes and other pollutants”.

“Plastic litter has become a major concern in Asia, including in the Philippines, and the EU Delegation is currently engaged in close dialogue with the government on the development of a national strategy for improving plastic waste management and reducing leakages of plastic waste in the marine environment,” said the EU Delegation.

The EU Delegation also announced that “a regional programme is also foreseen for a period of three years, starting in 2019,” to work on better plastic waste management.

Explore more