FEATI University

Helios St., Sta. Cruz, Manila, Philippines

College of Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering

Proposed Bio-fence design and installation on

some creeks or estuaries connected in the Pasig
River

Proponents:

Ma. Azunta C. Bergania

Christian R. Dacillo

Neil Christian C. Mendoza

Ebony Eyes D. Meninguito

Ryan B. Reduta

Adviser:

Engr. Rudith Elena C. Joson

 Abstract

Pasig River is considered to be the most important river throughout Metro Manila,
Philippines. This river connects two major bodies that is Manila Bay and Laguna de
Bay. Decades ago, Pasig River provides food, livelihood, and transport to people
especially those who are residing nearby at the river. In 1990, Pasig River is
declared biologically dead. The river is not capable anymore of sustaining marine
life and can’t be a source of water in the daily lives of the residents. Still it can be
used as one of the transport routes. But the foul odors and unpleasant things
floating in the river are considered to be as one of the major factors which only few
people prefer to travel through ferry or boat in Pasig River. This paper provides an
case study on how bio-fences can effectively trap solid wastes and garbage
floating in the tributaries of Pasig River which are the source of wastes and also
the main waste contributors. In this study, a bio-fence is a structure in the small
body of water (e.g. rivers, channels, creeks, estuaries, etc.) which serves as a wall
to trap or seal solid wastes especially garbage that pollutes and ruins a certain
body of water. With these bio-fences installed this will be a less struggle to those
people cleaning up the creeks or estuaries because the solid wastes that the bio-
fences harvest is easier to collect.
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

The estimated tons of garbage in the Phililippines that is genrated daily is about
35,580. In the country, both in urban and rural areas, each person produces about
0.5 kg and 0.3 kg of garbage daily. For Metro Manila, it is estimated that 8,636 tons
of garbage is generated per day, i.e., 0.7 kg per person per day due to its more
modernized lifestyle. The household is the major source of waste in the Philippines
at 74%. Moreover, of the total solid waste generated from households, 95% can
still be reused or recycled (43%), or turned into compost (52%). Only 5% is made
up of residuals (4%) and special or hazardous waste (1%) that are no longer
usable or biodegradable (JICA Waste Characterization Study, 1997).

The estimated tons of plastic in the Pasig River is about 63,700 and is equal to the
weight of 10,600 elephants. These plastics were dump into the ocean annually.
This is according to the study of the researchers from the Netherlands and the
U.S.A. Pasig River is considered then the world’s second contributor of plastic
waste to the ocean. Overall in the world, Pasig River is the eighth worst contributor.
The estimated minimum amount of waste from the garbage-filled waterway is
about 32,100 tons annually.

The pollutants come from the tributaries of the river. Pasig River passes through
five cities which are Taguig, Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong and Manila. Also includes
one municipality that is Taytay. The river system has 4 major tributaries which are
Marikina, Pateros-Taguig, Napindan and San Juan. The river has 43 minor
tributaries mostly located in Manila.
Bio-fences will be installed in those tributaries like estuaries that contributes most
of the solid wastes that were flown into the Pasig River. With these bio-fences the
garbage will be trapped and will be easily collected by the “river warriors”. One of
the materials used to build these bio-fences are plastic bottles. Most of the plastic
bottles if not recycled were just thrown elsewhere and most of it were found in the
bodies of water. Therefore, if these bio-fences is proven to be effective then the
solid wastes flown into the Pasig River will be lessen and so into the ocean.
 Objectives of the Study

 To protect the Pasig River from the continuous improper solid waste
disposal management through building and installing bio-fences in some of
its tributaries that contributes most of the garbage.

 To trap the solid wastes/garbage for the easier and more convenient way to
collect them.

 To reduce the amount of plastic bottles that usually thrown elsewhere.

 To help rehabilitating the Pasig River by considering this study as the first
and cost-effective step.
 Statement of the Problem

The lack of discipline and lack of knowledge of most of the people residing nearby
the Pasig River are the two main reasons of how the river become polluted and
ruined. Over ten milion of inhabitants in Metro Manila were produced and the Pasig
River is the primary recipient of it since the end of World War II. About 7,000 tons
of garbage is estimated that Metro Manila produces per day. Without the facilities
to dispose most of it adequately. Therefore, about 1,500 tons of garbage is thrown
into the streams, tributaries and the bay. Though the government regulate some
laws and plans in terms of pollution and cleaning up the water bodies in Metro
Manila but none of it proved very effectual to date.

Another thing is the population growth in urban areas. People residing along the
Pasig River has continued to multiply. Since then the Pasig River is known to be as
the “toilet bowl” of Manila. The pollutants dumped into its tributaries is flown into
the river which causes the incapability of the river to sustain any marine life other
than janitor fishes and water lilies. Ecologist then consider the Pasig River to be
biologically dead.

Approximately the estimated percentage of pollution in the Pasig River comes from
household waste which is 65 percent and 30 percent comes from industrial waste.
Philippines is considered as one of the third world countries. Many homes do not
have indoor plumbing. About 440 tons of wastewater poduced daily by Metro
Manila’s citizen that were dum into the river. There are about 4,000 informal
settlers along the river is considered to be one of the most contributors of the
wastes. These causes the river to have foul odors, unpleasant things floating like
feces and garbage and why the river is noted for its dark-colored water.
In January 1999, PRRC or the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission is created
through Executive Order 54 to strengthen the government’s program to rehabilitate
the river for transportation, recreation and tourism purposes. Two decades passed
but the Pasig River is still polluted and worst is its tributaries. Though PRRC
rehabilitated some of the river’s tributaries and it is not that easy to maintain the
cleanliness of it due to the lack of discipline and knowledge of the residents. PRRC
must focus first in small details like the minor tributaries that most of it contributes a
lot of the solid wastes into the river.

The rehabilitation program of PRRC cost millions of pesos. In this study, the
materials that are use to make bio-fences are affordable and are available in the
local market and almost 50% are made from used plastic water bottles. The only
problem for these bio-fences is when it comes to installing them in some areas like
esteros where garbage occupies most part of the water. That people could walk
and pass through it without submerging their foot or feet or half of their body. When
it comes to these instances bio-fences will then be installed at the both edges or
ends of the esteros. So that the solit wastes are block and not able to flow into the
river and other water bodies. Relocating the informal settlers residing near the
esteros will be hard and time consuming. Though relocating them is the most
possible and most effective way in rehabilitating the Pasig River. Maybe in time this
will become easier because some of the informal settlers in Metro Manila is
happened to be relocated in some provinces like Bulacan and Cavite.

Once the bio-fences are installed into both sides of mouth of the esteros or other
tributaties the solid wastes will be block and trap. These solid wastes will not be
flown into the Pasig River then. Installing these bio-fences will be consider as so
far effective and cost-effective step.
 Significance of the Study

To introduce a new, innovative and one of the effective ways to rehabilitate the
Pasig River and its tributaries, the bio-fences will be created. The findings of this
study if it is proven to be really that effective and cost-effective then the Pasig River
Rehabilitation Commission or PRRC should consider this as their first step in
rehabilitating the Pasig River. It is assured that these bio-fences is affordable and
cheaper in the long run compare to their traditional ways of cleaning the river and
its tributaries. It will also help to lessen some of the environmental problems like
the continuous improper disposal of plastic bottles. This might also give those
jobless or low-income people to have a job or additional income by making these
bio-fences.
 Scopes and Limitations

The scope area of the study is within the tributaries of the Pasig River that
contributes most of the solid wastes. This is also to determine which tributaries are
to be consider in installing the bio-fences. The main goal of the bio-fences is to
block and trap the garbage in order for these solid wastes will not reach and get
into the river. This aim also if using plastic bottles will be that effective when it
comes to strength and workability. Though the plastic bottles has its supports.
References:
 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In the Philippines, Cebu City is the first one who use bio-fences as an alternative
and effective way in collecting garbage in small bodies of water like river. They
might adopt such method in countries like Guatemala (the first country to use the
bio-fences in the river), Honduras, Dominican Republic, Panama, etc. Cebu City
Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) developed a design of bio-
fences that are made from recycled plastic bottles wired together before then
wrapped in fishnets that are designed to swing loosely underwater. Same design
compared to countries like Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, etc. In this study, the
bio-fences will be design differently. Although these bio-fences is also made up of
plastic water bottles, the difference is way too obvious because the bio-fences in
this study will literally submerged into the water and about 2 meters allowance
above the water level. There are wastes flown above the water and under the
water. The bio-fence that was used in other countries and so the city of Cebu, they
only trap the garbage flown above the water not considering those submerged
waste. The plastic bottles will be attached one by one vertically. There are supports
in each column of plastic bottles. These bio-fences will be covered up both sides
not by fish nets but fiberglass mesh which has smaller holes in it. Technically, the
bio-fence needed to be heavier so that it will submerge and can withstand the
strong current. There are three main foundations one is in the both ends of the bio-
fence and one is in the center. That is for the smaller bodies of water like creeks or
estuaries.
Foreign Literature

A single trash or every bit of plastic that we can collect and remove in the ocean is
important. But when it comes to large scale work it is still need to be done. Every
year it is estimated about 100,000 of sea mammals and nearly about one million
birds die from eating pieces of plastics and entangled in plastic. Almost two-thirds
of the fishes have ingested plastic causing harmt to the other fishes. This brings
plastic and its chemicals into our food chain. Imagine a line of trash trucks dumping
their loads into the ocean, a truckload each minute. It is hard to imagine but that is
true. It is the amount of trash landing in the ocean daily. (BJ Moore, May 2018)

When it comes to waste management, Guatemala has a poor track record to it.
The neighboring country of Guatemala is Honduras. It has blamed Guatemala for
creating an “environmental disaster” after a photograph released showing miles of
floating trash off the cost of Roatan, a Honduran island. Guatemala takes the
blame and is stepping up to the plate to put solutions into place. Guatemala then
develops two bio-fences which act as nets for plastic travelling downstream. These
are installed in the Motagua River to catch trash and it easier for communities to
collect and dispose the solid wastes properly. Aside from bio-fences Guatemala
plans to improve also its wastewater treatment facilities and reduce individual used
of plastics. (Erica Sanchez and Sophie Maez, November 2018)

Since then the residents of Guatemala have set-up 10 bio-fences in its river. These
bio-fences are made by putting empty plastic bottles in a mesh and making a
barrier or a dam that floats on the river. The locals collect the floating trash daily
that get trapped into the barriers. They take the trash to recycling centers.
According to the World Economic Forum, the use of bio-fences helped prevent 60
percent of floating trash in Guatemala’s rivers from ending up in the sea.
As part of UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP or UN Environment), Guatemala
announced to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans last October 12, 2018 as their
commitment in Clean Seas Campaign. They use artisanal bio-fences to trap and
collect plastic waste. This will help to increase the waste collection in its rivers and
to recover plastic debris. Alfonso Alonzo is Guatemala’s Minister of Environment
and Natural Resources announced his government’s commitment at the 21 st
Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environments of Latin America and the
Caribbean (LAC). Which took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from October 9 to
October 12 of 2018. The Guatemalean bio-fences is also used by countries like
Honduras, the Dominican Republic and Panama to capture plastic pollution in their
rivers before it reaches the region’s oceans and seas. Although the bio-fences are
helping the region respond to pollution, countries have also stressed the
importance of tackling plastic pollution at the source. By increasing the wastewater
treatment facilities and reducing individual consumption of plastics through
awareness raising and education. (Caherine Benson Wahlen, 2018)
Local Literature

In September 6, 2018, Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office

(CCENRO) tested a prototype of the bio-fence on the waters of Pasil fish port. This
is to see if it can withstand strong current. Nida Cabrera the chief of CCENRO said
that they plan to start mass production of the bio-fences and have their finished
products installed in bodies of water in the city before year 2018 ends. Each of the
bio-fence is about ten meters long and half-a-meter and the cost is around 800
pesos. (Cebu Daily News, 2018)

During the first two days of using the bio-fence in the coastal barangay of Sawang
Calero, Cebu City the garbage collected is about 11.9 tons. Seven open dump
trucks were filled with garbage and each truck has a capacity of 1.7 tons. The bio-
fences are made of plastic water bottles and is submerged underwater to act as
garbage barriers. The project is spearheaded by former councilor Nida Cabrera,
who now heads the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO).
She said that the bio-fence will help prevent the trash from going to the open sea
and harming the marine life. CCENRO and with the Department of Public Services
(DPS) will soon expand the project to the other coastal areas, such as Barangays
Ermita and Suba and in the city’s rivers. Grace Luardo is the head of the City’s
“Basura Mo, Sardinas Ko” program. They have distributed 1,800 cans of sardines
to 39 street dwellers and out-of-school youth in exchange for the trash they took
out of the bio-fence. (SUNSTAR, 2018)

The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) is asking the CCNRO to install bio-fences at the
Sitio Silangan, Barangay Tejero in order to prevent garbage from entering Pier 3 in
the port area. In a letter dated November 28, 2018, the CPA’s General Manager
Angelo Verdan said that the bio-fence installed along Mahiga Creek has helped to
reduce the trashes into the port’s berthing areas. Since the bio-fences have been
effective in minimizing the volume of garbage that goes to the port area, Verdan
requested for another bio-fence to be installed in Barangay rejero. Maria Nida
Cabrera said her office will install bio-fence in the said barangay within the first
week of January 2019. She said also that other than the CPA, her office also
received requests for installation of bio-fences in the other barangays like Mabolo,
Bacayan and Pit-os. CCENRO launched the bio-fence on September 01, 2018.
Since then they have installed six bio-fences in Mahiga Creek, Barangay Tejero
Creek near its barangay hall, Barangay Tinago, Barangay Pasil, Barangay Suba,
and Barangay Sawang Calero. Overall in the said month they have collected 18
tons of garbage trapped by the bio-fences. (Jean Marvette A. Demecillo – The
Freeman, December 2018)
References:
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

To come up with the design of the bio-fence there are series of research issues
and theoretical status problems that is needed to be consider. This chapter outlines
the steps undertaken to design plan and to implement this research. It will cover
also the methodological approach and methods used to identify the problems in
installing the bio-fences.

3.1 Materials
The possible materials that will be using are 1L plastic water bottles, fiberglass
mesh, PVC pipes with a diameter of 90 mm for the vertical major supports or
foundations, PVC pipes with a diameter of 63 mm for horizontal minor supports,
PVC pipes with a 20 mm for the vertical supports in the center of the plastic bottles
and staples that are appropriate to lock and secure the mesh or net. If the use of
PVC pipes is not applicable then the second option is by replacing them by a wood
that can last longer in water and its strong current.

3.2 Design of the Bio-fence

The bio-fence in this study is inspired by the usual fences that are used in the front
and backyard of most of the houses which is vertically built. Using SketchUp Pro, a
3D modeling program, the design of the bio-fence is obtained. With no accurate
dimensions yet. It is just an assumption by now until it is ready for some
experimental study and put in the exact chosen locations.
3.3 Cost Estimation
The estimated amount of the bio-fence in this study is not that yet accurate. Since
the building process is not conducted so far. The cost will also depend on size or
measurement of the mouth of the chosen creeks. With that the dimensions and
materials of the bio-fences will be calculated and so the cost will be estimated then.

3.4 Installation of the Bio-fence

The installation of the bio-fence is quite intricate due to its size and the location
involves water. Since it needed to be half submerged and does involve a massive
manpower. The bio-fence’s foundations needed to be penetrated on the ground
using a mallet until they are secured and consistent. For the additional supports the
foundations in both ends at the top of the water level, will be tied by a rope to the
nearest possible holders or receptacles. The best day it could be installed is during
sunny days because the current of the water is not that heavy and fast.
 CHAPTER 4

ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Location
Pasig River has an estimated length of 27 meters. Its total drainage basin is about
4,678 square kilometers or 1,806 square miles including the basin of Laguna de
Bay. The river system has 4 major tributaries which are Marikina, Pateros-Taguig,
Napindan and San Juan. The river has 43 minor tributaries mostly located in
Manila. From 1990 until the present time, Pasig River remains polluted. Some of
the primary issues and problems are the proliferation of informal settlers, the
domestic wastes and encroachment or invasion of private properties and
structures. Some of the strategies that PRRC came up with are easement
recovery, IE&C Advocacy, flood control and slope protection, water quality, ferry
service, and estero management through multi-sectoral approach.

The target areas of this study are the tributaries that contribute most of the solid
wastes. These tributaries are one of the major sources that the Pasig River still
suffering from pollution. Pasig Rive and its tributaries are needed to rehabilitate
first because this river is connected to the two major bodies in the Philippines
which are Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay. These two major bodies are now also
polluted. One of the main reasons is the Pasig River. It’s the small details that
create the big impact. Though they are just minor or small still they are essential.
4.2 Data Gathering
According to World Population Review, the estimated population in Manila as of the
year 2018 is about 13,482,468 from 1,543,666 in the year 1950. Since 2015 the
population in Manila has grown by 622,210. This represents a 1.59% annual
change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision
of the UN World Urbanization Prospects. These estimates represent the urban
agglomeration of Manila, which typically includes Manila's population in addition to
adjacent suburban areas.

As shown in the second table, Quezon City and Manila are the top two leading
cities that represent most of the populated cities in the Philippines. Pasig River
passes through five cities which are Taguig, Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong and
Manila. Also includes one municipality that is Taytay. It is clear that Manila is the
most wastes contributor of the Pasig River since it is the second city that is over
populated.
World Population Review
World Population Review
Summary Results of Disposed Waste Characterization Studies Conducted by
Pasig City (2014)
4.3 Bio-fences in Guatemala and Cebu City
Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) developed a
design of bio-fences that are made from recycled plastic bottles wired together
before then wrapped in fishnets that are designed to swing loosely underwater.
Same design compared to countries like Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, etc.

4.3.1 Bio-fences in Guatemala

Since then the residents of Guatemala have set-up 10 bio-fences in its river. These
bio-fences are made by putting empty plastic bottles in a mesh and making a
barrier or a dam that floats on the river. The locals collect the floating trash daily
that get trapped into the barriers. They take the trash to recycling centers.
According to the World Economic Forum, the use of bio-fences helped prevent 60
percent of floating trash in Guatemala’s rivers from ending up in the sea.
4.3.2 Bio-fences in Cebu City
During the first two days of using the bio-fence in the coastal barangay of Sawang
Calero, Cebu City the garbage collected is about 11.9 tons. Seven open dump
trucks were filled with garbage and each truck has a capacity of 1.7 tons. The bio-
fences are made of plastic water bottles and is submerged underwater to act as
garbage barriers

(Cebu Daily News, 2018)

Mahiga Creek (Before the removal of the garbage trapped in the
bio-fence)

Cebu Daily News (Twitter)

Mahiga Creek(After the removal of the garbage trapped in the bio-
fence)

(Sun Star, 2018)

 4.4 Proposed Bio-fence design within the selected tributaries

in the Pasig River.

 CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

Summary
This study is more on the theoretical and assumption side as of now. But the aim of
this study is to save the Pasig River and to help the PRRC to rehabilitate the river.
This may not be cost-effective at this rate compare to the bio-fences in Cebu City
but in the long run it will be cheaper. Besides the cost of it rely on its workability.
This bio-fence is way more effective compare to the bio-fences in Cebu City and
other countries. Though it was not tested yet, given enough time, effort and money
this will become possible in the near future.

Conclusion
As of now this study is consider to be not feasible due to lack of experimentation
since it is more on the theoretical and assumption side. Time and money are the
two major factors that affect this study because in a short span of time given this
study is undergone a series of issues and problems. But this could be possible in
the long run if enough time, effort and money are given. Installing bio-fences in
water bodies that carries most of the solid wastes is very effective. Cebu City,
Guatemala and other countries already proved this. It is time for the city of Manila
to take further actions and consider new innovative ways of rehabilitating the Pasig
River.

Recommendation
For the future studies regarding the rehabilitation of Pasig River, installing bio-
fences in the major waste contributors’ tributaries is very effective. The challenge
now is how you make it more effective and cost-effective. The design and cost are
the two major components of the bio-fence. It is up to the future researchers how
they design the bio-fence and make it better or possibly the best compare to the
other bio-fences.