DENR forum seeks review of PH reclamation policy
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Published May 9, 2023 08:50 am
While the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has taken note of the “significant ecological and social costs” of reclamation, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the formation of an experts’ forum to craft policy recommendations to rationalize the country’s reclamation policy.
(Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
This move was in line with the development goals of the Marcos administration and was done with the support of the DENR with an aim to review and enhance the country’s policies related to reclamation projects, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
However, a concept note by DENR also revealed misgivings cited by various stakeholders on reclamation costs to society.
“In general, the concept note said there are differing opinions on what makes for a successful reclamation based on the experience of Hong Kong and Indonesia, which, while fostering economic growth, also came at significant ecological and social costs as claimed by various stakeholders,” the statement read.
The same concept note claimed that global sources on reclamation show how reclamation can potentially contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, stressing the importance of crafting enhanced policies for the country.
“The expected output is a set of policy recommendations on reclamation that will inform the review and enhancement of the country’s policies related to reclamation,” the DENR said.
It identified several laws and policies needing review and enhancement.
This includes Executive Order No. 74 s. 2019, Philippine Reclamation Authority Administrative Order No. 2019-4 s. 2019, DENR Administrative Orders No. 2003-30 and 2018-14, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2022-018.
“Among the forum’s objectives include enabling dialogue among experts and stakeholders to get insights on reclamation, identifying gaps and entry points to enhance policy, and obtaining expert recommendations on enhancing national and local level policies on reclamation,” the statement said.
During his 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos stressed the need for companies to “follow the law.”
“Companies who exploit our natural resources must follow the law… there is no question that the preservation of the environment is the preservation of lives,” he earlier said.
(Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
This move was in line with the development goals of the Marcos administration and was done with the support of the DENR with an aim to review and enhance the country’s policies related to reclamation projects, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
However, a concept note by DENR also revealed misgivings cited by various stakeholders on reclamation costs to society.
“In general, the concept note said there are differing opinions on what makes for a successful reclamation based on the experience of Hong Kong and Indonesia, which, while fostering economic growth, also came at significant ecological and social costs as claimed by various stakeholders,” the statement read.
The same concept note claimed that global sources on reclamation show how reclamation can potentially contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, stressing the importance of crafting enhanced policies for the country.
“The expected output is a set of policy recommendations on reclamation that will inform the review and enhancement of the country’s policies related to reclamation,” the DENR said.
It identified several laws and policies needing review and enhancement.
This includes Executive Order No. 74 s. 2019, Philippine Reclamation Authority Administrative Order No. 2019-4 s. 2019, DENR Administrative Orders No. 2003-30 and 2018-14, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2022-018.
“Among the forum’s objectives include enabling dialogue among experts and stakeholders to get insights on reclamation, identifying gaps and entry points to enhance policy, and obtaining expert recommendations on enhancing national and local level policies on reclamation,” the statement said.
During his 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos stressed the need for companies to “follow the law.”
“Companies who exploit our natural resources must follow the law… there is no question that the preservation of the environment is the preservation of lives,” he earlier said.