Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 9) — Senators were surprised on Wednesday after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) admitted it was not being consulted for any reclamation project in the country.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the agency only refers such projects to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
However, Bonoan added that there should be a \”coordinated effort\” when it comes to reclamation activities.
\”I think it has to be a coordinated effort, actually. Because I think it’s not their property, I think it will be detrimental to the overall objective of solving the flooding problem in any locality,\” the secretary told a joint committee hearing on the flooding situation in Metro Manila.
The Philippine Reclamation Authority earlier said 22 applications for reclamation projects had been processed so far, with some of them securing approval, or up for implementation and subject to compliance.
On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said all reclamation projects in Manila Bay have been suspended pending review – except for one, which he did not identify.
For his part, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the DPWH should have a hand in such projects as they can affect some of the agency’s projects as well.
\”Yung mga projects na ito, hindi po ba dapat ay mayroong say ang DPWH, because some of your projects or programs ay sisirain, babaliwalain ng isang proyekto,\” he said.
[Translation: The DPWH should have a say on these projects, because some of your projects and programs will be damaged and disregarded by another project.]
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, on the other hand, said there must be a review of all laws covering reclamation projects.
Suspension not enough
Fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), meanwhile, said the government should hold companies accountable for environmental destruction and displacement of fisherfolk caused by reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
\”Hindi sapat ang suspensyon lamang ng mga proyekto, kundi dapat ay may kaakibat na pananagutan sa mga kumpanyang nagdulot ng pagkasira ng ating pangisdaan at sapilitang paglikas ng mga mangingisda,\” the statement read.
[Translation: Mere suspension of projects is not enough, there must be an attendant responsibility for companies that caused the destruction of our fishing grounds and the forced evacuation of fishermen.]
The group also urged the DENR to review the 21 environmental compliance certificates (ECC) for the Manila Bay reclamations.
READ: DENR urged to suspend reclamation projects in Manila Bay amid ‘worsening’ flooding
Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo noted that 300 fishing families were displaced in Bacoor, Cavite due to the reclamation projects.
According to the group, reclamation projects with approved ECCs include the 420-hectare reclamation in Bacoor, Cavite; 360-hectare Pasay Reclamation Project; 318-hectare Manila City Waterfront Project; and the 419-hectare Horizon Manila Project.
Environmental news and data platform Earth.Org previously reported that Metro Manila’s coastal areas were found to be sinking by 9 centimeters every year due to the immense pressure from the weight of new buildings on the reclaimed land.
