Manila Bay reclamation could impact fishing, flooding —expert

Experts on Wednesday warned of negative impact on the environment and the fishing industry should the stalled reclamation projects in Manila Bay continue.

According to Dr. Eugene Herrera of the University of the Philippines (UP) National Hydraulic Research Center, the 20,000-hectare reclamation projects will affect the water flow in Manila Bay, impacting the salinity level in the shallow part of the waters.

“‘Yung shallow areas of bays are breeding grounds for aquatic flora and fauna that depend on some salinity levels so may ganung environmental effect,” said Herrera in Maki Pulido’s report on “24 Oras.”

He also warned of possible floods as the construction projects will stop the flow of water from Manila Bay to the nearby rivers and watersheds.

“Isang timba ng tubig isang araw siya itatapon will not cause impact pero isang timba ng tubig in two seconds maiipon ang tubig saan mo siya tinapon?” Herrera added.

However, the expert said this may be avoided if the design will consider enough channels for water flow.

“It should come with management or operation and maintenance. If you don’t regularly clean such channels or openings for flushing, through time, pwedeng limitado na discharge capacity,” he added.

GMA Integrated News recently visited the area for the reclamation projects with the Philippine Coast Guard and noticed some narrow areas.

Meanwhile, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the disruption in the fishing industry may cause food shortage.

“Malaki ang ambag nito sa shortage, kakulangan sa darating na panahon ng supply ng pagkain,” said PAMALAKAYA president Fernando Hicap.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said all reclamation projects in Manila Bay are suspended.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga earlier said that the reclamation projects in Manila Bay are under review, and thus, deemed suspended.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News