AT least 22 proposed reclamation projects in Manila Bay are awaiting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s (DENR) approval, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) on Monday said, sparking alarm from lawmakers that the bay’s rehabilitation might be for naught.
During the hearing of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, PRA Assistant General Manager Joselito Gonzales said the 22 reclamation projects cover a 20,000-hectare pipeline.
“They [reclamation project proponents] have complied with all the mandatory requirements,” Gonzales told lawmakers.
All 22 reclamation projects will cover at least 10 percent of the 199,000-hectare Manila Bay—stretching from Cavite to Navotas.
According to Gonzales, the implementation of the projects will be gradual.
Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis said this confirmation from the PRA is a threat to the genuine rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
“This must be stopped, as it is threatening the genuine essence of the Manila Bay cleanup. The reclamation should be opposed,” the lawmaker added.
Last week the Makabayan bloc filed House Bill 9067 declaring Manila Bay as a reclamation-free zone.
Failure of regulators–Atienza
Senior Deputy Minority Leader Lito Atienza of the Buhay party-list hit the PRA for its failure to effectively regulate the numerous reclamation projects all over the country.
“How many reclamation projects in the Manila Bay area are in the pipeline? How many reclamation projects in the whole country? What is the total area of all of these projects? Would these reclamation projects have adverse effects on the environment?” Atienza asked the PRA.
“You have just admitted that in the Manila Bay area alone, there are 22 reclamation projects poised to commence, and over 100 more in different parts of the country. You are aware that there would indeed be effects on the environment, and yet you would still let these projects proceed simply because the developers were instituting so-called systems to mitigate these effects?” added Atienza.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes