Pasig River's Children: Plastic Pollution Across Manilla

The Pasig River in Manilla, Philippines has become a top global source of marine plastic pollution and has become a public health emergency that has exacerbated local disparities for the Filipino citizens. Plastic waste in sources of water contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals and have been linked to neurodevelopmental impairments in children, cancer, reproductive disorders, and immune system suppression (Greenpeace Philippines 2025). The effects of pollution on the children that call Pasig River their home symbolizes uneven urban development and calls for the examination of urban problems in a socioeconomic and cultural lens. 

Poor infrastructure for domestic waste and limited effectiveness and enforcement of environmental policies have overall exacerbated socioeconomic disparities in low income communities like Manilla. Many residents in the Pasig River have been stuck in a cycle of poverty. Mario Cruz, independent and globally recognized photographer, describes how, “The experience of walking on top of the floating trash in Pasig River was shocking, but even more shocking was realizing that I was the only one shocked by it.” (Cruz 2018). The Pasig River lies in between an area of Manilla marked by immense disparity. Manilla, like many other major cities, is divided by deep spatial inequality: high-rise business owners, luxury tourist attractions, and communities lacking basic needs. Cruz explains how “Everyone was living their lives so naturally. It was quite sad and disturbing to observe.” (Cruz 2018). Cruz recalls how individuals across the Pasig River have become accustomed to living without clean water, proper sanitation, a public waste system, and clean housing. Through Cruz’s photographs, he highlights how the children living along Pasig River “were the picture” to the generational cycle and continuation of the problem (Beckenbach 2020). 

Mass pollution like that of the Pasig River is a reminder to all that environmental issues should be explored beyond surface level analysis, but rather question its impacts on communities and how it perpetuates deep spatial inequality across urbanism and infrastructure development. 

Writer: Francine Habacon

Editor: Harley Cruz

Bibliography:

• Ginn, D. (2020, March 31). Mario Cruz documents the heartbreaking living conditions in Manila. The Phoblographer. https://www.thephoblographer.com/2020/03/31/mario-cruz-documents-the-heartbreaking-living-conditions-in-manila/

• Greenpeace Philippines. (2025, July 23). The environmental, socioeconomic, and health impacts of the plastic crisis in the Philippines and recommendations for a robust plastics Treaty - Greenpeace Philippines. https://www.greenpeace.org/philippines/press/68318/the-environmental-socioeconomic-and-health-impacts-of-the-plastic-crisis-in-the-philippines-and-recommendations-for-a-robust-plastics-treaty/