In a major environmental milestone for Bulacan, The Ocean Cleanup has officially deployed its first Interceptor barrier in the Meycauayan River, marking the organizations first on-the-ground rollout in the Manila Bay region.
The Dutch nonprofit, founded by Boyan Slat, announced that the Interceptor became operational in June 2026. The solar-powered barrier is designed to capture plastic waste before it flows into Manila Bay and ultimately the ocean. Meycauayans river system was identified as a critical chokepoint for plastic pollution in the region.
This deployment represents a significant step in the Philippines ongoing battle against marine plastic pollution. The Interceptor works autonomously, using the rivers natural current to guide debris into its collection system. It can extract tens of thousands of kilograms of waste per day.
Local officials in Meycauayan have expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that the city has long been proactive in environmental management. The project is expected to complement existing river rehabilitation programs in Bulacan province.
The Ocean Cleanup has deployed Interceptors in rivers across Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. The Meycauayan installation is the first in the Philippines and the first serving the Manila Bay watershed.
Residents and environmental groups are encouraged to support the effort by reducing single-use plastic consumption and participating in regular river clean-up drives. More information about The Ocean Cleanup is available at theoceancleanup.com.
For more local environmental news and community updates, visit phshirt.com and explore our Meycauayan City coverage.