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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DENR chief: Review of Manila Bay reclamation projects to finish before 2024 ends

DENR chief: Review of Manila Bay reclamation projects to finish before 2024 ends

Published Oct 14, 2024 08:11 am
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DENR Secretary Maria Antonia ‘Toni’ Yulo-Loyzaga

The review of the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, which was ordered by President Marcos himself, is still ongoing.

This was according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga, saying the review will end before the year ends.

“Ongoing siya, the UP-MSI asked for an extension so we gave them that. But I believe before the end of the year matatapos na rin sila (The review of the reclamation projects is still ongoing as the UP-MSI asked for an extension so we gave them that. But I believe before the end of the year they finish the review),” she said during an ambush interview.

During the DENR’s budget meeting at the House of Representatives in August, Loyzaga told congressmen that the review of the Manila Bay reclamation projects will be finished in the second week of September.

The review is part of President Marcos' order in May this year to suspend all reclamation projects in Manila Bay amid concerns about their environmental impact. 

It can be recalled that several green groups have called on the DENR to halt reclamation efforts in Manila Bay, citing the potential detrimental long-term and irreversible environmental repercussions of the reclamation.

“It is clear that these (reclamation) projects have already started, and resulted in 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,” said international environmental group Oceana said in a statement.

As such, the fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) asked the DENR to halt reclamation projects in Manila Bay, claiming that the recent floodings in the metropolis were due to reclamation projects.

Citing findings of geological experts, the fisherfolk group stated 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,” Fernando Hicap, the chairperson of Pamalakaya, said.

“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,” he added.

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