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B a c k g r o u n d
B a c k g r o u n d
Due to the significance of Manila Bay to the
country, and in consideration of past efforts to
rehabilitate Manila Bay, PEMSEA has provided
assistance to build the capacity of national and
local governments and other key stakeholders to
work together and set in place a viable and long-
term management program for Manila Bay, and its
watershed areas. The Manila Bay Environmental
Management Project (MBEMP) is being
implemented through the concerted efforts of
various local and national government agencies,
academic institutions, the private sector and civil
society groups, with the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
serving as the lead agency.
One of the key outputs of the MBEMP is the
Manila Bay Area Environmental Atlas. The basis
for the Atlas is the Manila Bay Areas Integrated
Information Management System for Coastal and
Marine Environments (IIMS) and the Manila Bay
GIS database that were developed through the
support and efforts of the interagency and
multisectoral coordinating committee and
technical working groups and the GEF/UNDP/IMO
PEMSEA Regional Programme.
GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme on
Partnerships in Environmental Management
for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)
P.O. Box 2502, Quezon City 1165, Philippines
Tel: (+632) 929-2992; Fax: (+632) 926-9712
Email: info@pemsea.org
Website: www.pemsea.org P h y s i c a l
C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
The Atlas describes the
physical features of the Manila
Bay Area, such as topography,
slope, bathymetry, geology and
mineral resources, soil types,
hydrology, groundwater, rivers,
and the sediment and water
quality of Manila Bay. Natural
hazardsfault lines, volcanoes,
and areas that are prone to
f l o o d i n g , l a n d s l i d e s ,
liquefaction and accelerated sea-level riseare also described
in this section. Mitigating and contingency measures to
address both human-made and natural risks are currently
being developed using the information from the Atlas.
B i o l o g i c a l
C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
The key biological features
from the mountains to the
seaare described in the
Atlas. The importance of and
major issues affecting forests,
grasslands, coastal and
marine resources, biodiversity
and protected areas are
discussed to highlight the
need for a holistic and
integrated approach to the management of the economy,
environment and resources in the area.
The Manila Bay Area Environmental Atlas
provides a relevant source of information
necessary in policy formulation, planning,
decision-making, monitoring and integrated
river basin and coastal area management.
The Atlas describes physical, biological and
socioeconomic characteristics of the Manila
Bay Area (MBA), provides evidence of the
valuable contribution of the habitats and
resources to the people and economy of the
area, delineates the various environmental
issues in and around the bay, and reviews the
actions that have been implemented to
overcome challenges to sustainable
development and management of the MBA.
The Atlas is a compilation of data presented
in thematic and composite maps, graphs and
tables describing the characteristics and
status or condition of the MBA. Each map is
usually accompanied by a textual description
of related findings, socioeconomic
significance, risks and challenges that affect
the MBA. Photographs are included in the
document for better understanding of the
places and features of the area.

M A N I L A B A Y A R E A
E N V I R O N M E N T A L A T L A S
S o c i o e c o n o m i c
C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
Relevant information on demographic
aspects, major economic activities and land-use
features are explained in the Atlas. Due to its
natural harbor and strategic location, Manila Bay became
the gateway to the countrys political, socioeconomic and
cultural center. Its natural endowments, geography, and
land and sea attributes provide livelihood, food, recreation,
tourist attractions, transportation, access to international
trade routes, and many other goods and services. The MBA
currently contributes 52.5 percent of the countrys gross
domestic product or GDP. However, development concerns
and ensuing environmental problems affect the
sustainability of economic growth and the resources and
ecosystems, and the health and welfare of around 25
million people living in the watershed areas. The Atlas
presents some good practices that have been
implemented and
recommendations
to ensure the
s u s t a i n a b l e
development of
MBA.

Population in the MBA
Land-use Classification in Bulacan