Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 11) – A fishers’ group has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to craft an executive order declaring the waters of Manila Bay as a “reclamation-free zone” amid the suspension of around 22 reclamation projects in the area.
In a statement dated Monday, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) stressed that what fisherfolk need is \”not just lip service\” but for the reclamation projects to “finally stop.\”
“No amount of verbal declaration from the President or even echoing from the environment department could stop all the ongoing reclamation in Manila Bay unless an Executive Order or a law that prohibits them has been issued,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson, said in a statement.
On Thursday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said all the \”roughly 22\” reclamation projects in Manila Bay are under review and suspended indefinitely.
Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga also said some companies have yet to be formally notified of the directive.
READ: All reclamation projects in Manila Bay suspended, DENR clarifies
PAMALAKAYA also demanded that firms involved in the projects provide “sufficient economic compensation” and “long-term rehabilitation efforts” to coastal communities and fishing grounds affected by the reclamation activities.
“We are currently assessing the damages inflicted by ongoing reclamation to fishery resources in Manila Bay, and the incomes lost to fisherfolk and other fishery-related jobs,” Hicap said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier admitted it was not consulted in any of the reclamation projects in the country.
