The head of the Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has proposed the procurement of skimmer boats which will be used to rid Manila Bay of rubbish.
In a speech last Sunday, January 27, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar also stated that the boats should have a secondary oil spill cleanup capability but gave no other details of the proposed acquisition.
The procurement, which is still subject to legislative approval, falls under the Philippine government's long-term plan for rehabilitating the portions of Manila Bay that have become heavily polluted over the years.