Senator Cynthia Villar has expressed her readiness to conduct a separate probe into the various complaints on the reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

Sen. Cynthia Villar (middle) is the guest of honor at the reopening of the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 20223. Former Senator Joey Lina (left) and Manila Bulletin publisher Sonny Coloma (right) hosted the forum. (Photo by Arnold Quizol/Manila Bulletin)

Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, said she will invite the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to explain their side in the issue.

However, the senator said she is hesitant to interfere with other local government units (LGUs) concerns if they cannot present their case.

“The problem with reclamation is that it was initiated by the local government, right? How can I interfere in other local governments (project)? I can only interfere near my place. That’s why I hesitate,” said Villar at the revival of the Kapihan sa Manila at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday, August 22.

“But I’ll do the hearing and let the DENR and the PRA talk. I’ll do the hearing, but I’m sorry I cannot interfere in other places’ (concerns),” she said.

Villar was the guest at the Kapihan sa Manila hosted by former senator Joey Lina and former presidential communications secretary and now Manila Bulletin publisher Herminio “Sonny” Coloma.

Villar, who hails from Las Piñas City, said she will really lobby that the reclamation project in their area would stop.

She pointed there are two reclamation projects in Parañaque City, one in Las Piñas and two in Bacoor, Cavite which are all overlapping.

The senator said she had already approached the DENR in the past to assess the impact of the reclamation projects to the environment, way before the severe flooding that hit Bulacan and other nearby provinces in Metro Manila and in Central Luzon in July last month.

“And they said they’re really going to review the impact of reclamations, especially many reclamations, sana kung isa lang e. But tayo naman, on our part, as public official, I’m doing my best,” she said.

“For the last 12 years, I’ve been trying to stop the reclamations from happening beside our city. And we will try our best. And you know, so many people are involved in this. All I can say is that I worked hard for this and I will try my best,” she reiterated.

“I think we have the right .. Manila Bay is a legislated protected area. It is protected by law. We’re entitled to a buffer zone, we are entitled to have a passage way for our river, so we will really work hard that it be prevented,” added the lawmaker.

Villar is referring to the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park or the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), which is part of the Manila Bay and which has been designated as a protected area. The area is also declared a Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention of UNESCO.

Despite the possible impact on the economy, Villar insisted President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to put on hold all reclamation projects pending review, is a welcome development.

“At least on hold ang reclamation, walang ginagawa (there are no activities). Kesa naman tuloy tuloy sila, at least, pinatigil, di ba (At least it was stopped instead of allowing it to continue, right)? It (flooding) will not worsen,” she insisted.

The Senate Committee on Public Works chaired by Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. had earlier started investigating flooding problems in the country, triggered by typhoons “Egay” and “Falcon” last month.

Agencies that were grilled during the public works hearing were heads of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), among others.

During the hearing, senators have agreed to refer Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ resolution inquiring into the massive reclamation in Manila Bay, from the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, to the Senate environment panel.