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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider All reclamation projects in Manila Bay are suspended, DENR chief clarifies

All reclamation projects in Manila Bay are suspended, DENR chief clarifies

Published Aug 10, 2023 12:16 pm

 

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Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga has clarified that all the reclamation projects in Manila Bay have been suspended pending review.

Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. said that all except one of reclamation projects in Manila Bay have been suspended. He said one of the projects was allowed to continue because it was already reviewed. However, the chief executive did not specify which project he was pertaining to.

“Actually po, upon clarification with the President (Marcos), as you will see in the suspension (order), all are under review,” Loyzaga said in a Malacañang press briefing on Thursday, Aug. 10

Asked if when the suspension order took effect, the DENR chief said: “I have a copy of the suspension so I think that the PRA (Philippine Reclamation Authority) would also have a copy. As soon as the President speaks, that would be in effect…”

Various environmental groups have recently called on the DENR to stop the reclamation projects in the Manila Bay, noting potential negative long-term and irreversible impacts of the reclamation to the environment.

In a statement, International environmental group Oceana said that it "is clear that these (reclamation) projects have already started, and resulted to an alarming degradation of the environment destroying the mangroves, denying fisherfolk of their fishing livelihood and sources of food, and the destruction of seagrass and the seabed by dredging, thus impeding better habitats and spawning grounds of fisheries resources. This is simply unjust and unacceptable."

Also calling to halt the reclamation projects was fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) which claimed that the recent floodings were due to Manila Bay reclamation projects.

Citing findings of geological experts, Pamalakaya Chairperson Fernando Hicap said that they are “certain that these reclamation projects worsened the flooding in the northern part of Manila Bay.”

“It can be recalled that it was no less than the renowned geologist Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo who raised the geophysical hazards of specific reclamation projects in Manila Bay,” he stated.

“Dr. Rodolfo has identified three geological hazards of reclamation that are relevant to the country’s situation; namely, the danger of land subsidence, danger of storm surge and strong waves caused by typhoons, and danger from seismically induced liquefaction.”

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