Save Manila Bay, save towns from flooding

Something is wrong with Manila Bay.

For a long while, environmentalists and the public, in general, have been harping on a number of reclamation projects in Manila Bay, for its adverse impact on marine ecosystem, and the destruction of mangroves and wetlands that threaten the livelihood of fishermen and those living in surrounding communities.

But their cries appear to have landed on deaf ears as shown by the growing number of approved reclamation projects.

Not even the continuing mandamus issued by the Supreme Court on Dec. 18, 2008, directing 13 government agencies “to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay, and restore and maintain its waters to SB level (Class B sea waters per Water Classification Tables under DENR Administrative Order No. 34 [1990]) to make them fit for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of contact recreation” has deterred the unabated abuse of Manila Bay. The agencies covered by the continuing mandamus are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Budget, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, Philippine Ports Authority, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, and Local Water Utilities Administration.

It took the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to put a stop on all of these approved reclamation projects, albeit temporarily being a mere suspension. However, this is a step in the right direction, considering the importance of Manila Bay, not just for its world-famous sunset but also for being a source of livelihood for a multitude of Filipinos. The famed bay was once a rich fishing ground, but reclamation projects, indiscriminate dumping of waste, and other abuses have caused the destruction of its marine ecosystem. 

Manila Bay is also an important catch basin for water that drains from 178 localities from Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, and Tarlac. Water from 17 key river systems — Angat River, Bocaue River, Sta. Maria River, Marilao River, Meycauayan River, Meycauayan-Valenzuela River, Pasig River, Parañaque River, Imus River, Ylang-Ylang River, Rio Grande, Cañas River, Obando River,  Navotas-Malabon-Tinajeros-Tullahan River, Talisay River, Guagua River, and Pampanga River — also drains to Manila Bay.

Disturbing the catch basin is certain to cause adverse consequences. We need not look far. The recent flooding in large parts of Bulacan and other coastal areas is one proof of these adverse consequences. With water level in Manila Bay rising due to reclamation, water from inland can no longer drain to the bay.
 
With Marcos’ suspension of the reclamation projects, concerned government agencies will have all the opportunity to conduct a review to determine if all these comply with the law and environment policies of the state.

Crucial in this review of the reclamation projects is the 2008 continuing mandamus issued by the Supreme Court. The order to the 13 government agencies is very clear — “to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay, and restore and maintain its waters to SB level.”

Were all these projects approved in compliance with the SC’s continuing mandamus and existing environment laws and policies?
We hope the concerned agencies will act promptly before any catastrophic event takes place.

We also join the nation in keenly waiting for the results of the review. May it be fair and beneficial to all stakeholders.