A progressive fishers’ group on Monday, March 2, challenged newly appointed Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Acting Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna to immediately revoke the environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) of at least 13 reclamation projects in Manila Bay, citing what it described as “irreversible” environmental damage.

The call was made by Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), which said Cuna’s appointment presents an opportunity to reverse “destructive coastal projects.”

Cuna replaced Raphael Lotilla, whom the group criticized for allegedly failing to shield Manila Bay and its coastal communities from what it described as destructive reclamation and dredging activities.

According to Pamalakaya, the new DENR chief only needs to review the cumulative impact assessment earlier conducted by the agency, which it said already documented the long-term effects of reclamation on marine ecosystems and fishing grounds.

“Hindi na magiging mabigat na palaisipan sa bagong kalihim ng DENR kung bakit kinakailangang agarang repasuhin ang mga proyektong reklamasyon sa Manila Bay. Nariyan na ang isinagawang pag-aaral ng mismong ahensya kaugnay sa pinsalang dulot ng mga naturang aktibidad sa kalikasan, pangisdaan, at mga komunidad sa baybayin (It will not be a difficult question for the new DENR secretary why it is necessary to immediately review the reclamation projects in Manila Bay. The study conducted by the agency itself on the damage caused by these activities to the environment, fisheries, and coastal communities is already there),” Fernando Hicap, the chairperson of Pamalakaya, said in a statement. 

“Dagdag pa ang aktwal na karanasan ng mga komunidad na bumagsak ang kabuhayan at higit na mas naging bulnerable sa mga epekto ng natural na kalamidad dahil sa pagkasira ng kalikasan (In addition, there is the actual experience of communities whose livelihoods collapsed and who became more vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters due to environmental destruction),” he added.

Hicap said fisherfolk and coastal residents are closely watching how the new DENR leadership will act on the issue.

“Nakabantay ang mga mangingisda, maralita sa baybayin, at makakalikasan sa bagong mamumuno sa kagawaran kung itataguyod nito ang tunay na pangangalaga ng kalikasan o magiging kasangkapan lamang ito ng mga mandarambong ng likas-yaman tulad ng mga nauna sakanya (Fisherfolk, coastal poor, and environmental advocates are watching the new head of the department whether he will uphold genuine environmental protection or merely become a tool of plunderers of natural resources like those before him),” he said.

On Dec. 23, 2025, a coalition of religious institutions, environmental groups, fisherfolk organizations, youth movements, and civil society networks urged President Marcos to stop ongoing and proposed reclamation projects in Manila Bay, citing heightened flood and disaster risks.

The groups, in a petition submitted to the Office of the President, opposed 10 planned reclamation projects spanning the area between Rizal Park and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. 

They warned that the projects would “irreversibly exacerbate flooding in the City of Manila and neighboring cities” and “inevitably destroy Manila Bay as the only marine biodiversity and a cultural gem in the country’s capital.”

They underscored that Manila remains vulnerable to severe flooding due to deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient drainage systems. 

The coalition pointed out that reclamation areas approved by the PRA would stand several meters higher than the current elevation of surrounding communities.

The petitioners said that these elevated developments could block both natural waterways and man-made drainage systems, further intensifying coastal and inland flooding.