Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14) — The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) on Monday said only a small portion of the Manila Bay is covered by the approved reclamation projects in the area following concerns raised by some groups on their impact on the environment and fisherfolk.
“If you would compare it to the entire size of Manila Bay which is almost 200,000 hectares…it’s less than five percent. I-dispel lang namin ‘yung notion na mawawala ‘yung Manila Bay [We only want to dispel the notion that the Manila Bay will disappear],” PRA Assistant General Manager Joseph Literal told CNN Philippines’ The Source, noting that the projects only comprise 5,000 to 6,000 hectares.
He also clarified that the reported 22 reclamation projects are for the whole country, only 13 of which are concentrated in Metro Manila and some parts of Cavite.
While he admitted that the number of reclamation projects in Metro Manila is quite large, Literal said they do not usually commence at the same time. Of the 13, he said only three are ongoing, while the rest are still completing their requirements like pre-construction documents and other permits required by Philippine authorities.
According to Literal, some of these are being processed for years already, with one project being pre-approved subject to compliance in the late 1990s, while another was applied in 2013-2014.
Literal said all reclamation projects are under a public-private partnership between the local government unit (LGU) covered and the company. He noted that it is the LGU that applies for a reclamation application with the PRA.
“PRA gives them about 24 months or maximum of 30 months to comply with all these requirements, kasama na ‘yung [including the] public hearings in the goal of securing an ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) and area clearance from the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” he explained.
Aside from permits, Literal said LGUs are also required to submit a project profile and feasibility study citing the economic reasons for the reclamation. The project should also include the establishment of open spaces and detailed plans for drainage and anti-flooding measures, he added.
Literal said only after the PRA has evaluated all these requirements favorably can a reclamation project be approved.
The DENR has said all reclamation activities in Manila Bay are now under review and suspended indefinitely.
