SoKor grants $9 million to Philippines, Timor-Leste vs marine pollution

MANILA, Philippines — South Korea has selected the Philippines and Timor-Leste for a $9-million assistance to address marine plastic pollution.

The six-year initiative called “Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region” aims to improve the management of marine plastics in the two countries through science-based governance, innovative solutions to promote circular economy, regular beach monitoring on marine plastics, relevant training and community awareness drives.

The project will be implemented in 10 sites including six coastal communities in the municipalities of Bulan and Daanbantayan and in the cities of Calbayog, Dipolog, Puerto Princesa and Tandag in the Philippines as well four coastal municipalities of Atauro, Manatuto, Liquica and Dili in Timor-Leste.

The Philippines is considered as one of the top five contributors to marine plastic pollution globally, while Timor-Leste is facing challenges in managing its wastes and plastics due to poor infrastructure and challenging geography.

In recent years, South Korea has been advocating for the reduction of marine plastics pollution. In 2021, the third basic plan of Korea was established to reduce marine plastic waste generation by 60 percent in 2030, and an ambitious zero waste by 2050 through the life-cycle management system that involves marine debris generation, collection, treatment and recycling.

“Through this project, we hope to contribute to enhance the capacities for combating marine debris and plastic pollution in the Philippines and Timor-Leste with opportunities to share experiences and best practices on the Republic of Korea’s marine plastic wastes management policies and recycling technologies,” said Sunhyung Ryu, director of Marine Conservation Division of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The project is also collaborating with the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources and its relevant bureaus as well as Timor-Leste Secretary of State of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.