Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu has confirmed that the DENR has not issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for the reclamation of a portion of Marikina River.
(RTVM / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday, Cimatu said there should be no reclamation. Even if the company seeks an ECC now, the DENR will unlikely to issue the document due to encroachment violation, he said.
Cimatu also said that the DENR has evaluated the changes in the width of Marikina River to determine if they were due to natural causes or reclamation activities.
Based on the data from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, he noted that the width of Marikina River has been reduced by about 30 meters in a span of three decades.
From a width of 90 meters in 1982, Marikina River's width is 60 meters in the actual survey conducted in 2020.
Cimatu said they have already identified the lot numbers in the reclaimed area.
However, he noted that an investigation is ongoing to determine if the lot numbers are tied to BF Corporation, which is allegedly owned by Marikina Rep. Bayani Fernando.
Cimatu said they have already given notices to the lot owners to vacate the reclaimed area.
This will allow them to restore the original width of the Marikina River that will prevent a repeat of the massive flooding in Marikina City.
The DENR earlier said they will look into the complaint of the Marikina City government over the alleged reclamation project along Marikina River, which has not secured an ECC from the department.