An official of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) said island reclamation projects in Manila Bay would not likely trigger flooding in Metro Manila.
Instead, PRA assistant general manager Joseph Literal said these island reclamation projects in Manila Bay would enhance coastal protection that may save communities from tsunamis and storm surges.
In a radio interview following the suspension of all 22 land reclamation projects pending the result of its cumulative impact assessment, the official insisted that the three ongoing reclamation projects in Pasay and Manila greelighted by the PRA during the previous administration are of higher in elevation or elevated to survive storm surges and tsunamis in anticipation climate change-triggered events.
The DENR is now in the process of creating an expert panel that will conduct the cumulative impact assessment of the reclamation projects, including their effect on communities and livelihood.
Proponents of the projects, a public-private partnership between local government units (LGUs) and land developers have yet to make a public appeal on the suspension order, which will cause considerable delay in their project implementation, or worse, cause the cancellation of multi-billion peso deals that will also have an adverse impact on investors’ confidence in the Philippines.
In defense of the land reclamation projects, the PRA official disputed the claims of flooding in Metro Manila, underscoring that projects like the Pasay Coastal Development Project, which is an island reclamation with Mall of Asia as its baseline.
Literal also assured the public that they could further enjoy the Manila Bay sunset upon the completion of the reclamation projects, as they will provide a bigger viewing deck and different locations to admire the scenery.
The PRA official clarified that only 13 of the 22 reclamation projects suspended by the DENR are in Manila Bay. Various local government units, such as Navotas, Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Bacoor, and the province of Cavite, handle these projects.
While environmental groups strongly oppose land reclamation because of its destructive nature, LGUs look forward to the economic benefits of this controversial urban expansion strategy, which has been implemented successfully in other countries.
During the budget hearing of the appropriations committee of the House of Representatives early this month, Rep. Joey Salceda said at a conservative estimate of P2,500 per sqm, the combined 6,000 hectares of land reclamation in Manila Bay is about half of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and left the question hanging as to the cost of the suspension versus the economic benefits of such urban expansion projects such as additional revenues and jobs that it can generate.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes, AP/Aaron Favila