Navotas reclamation ongoing amid suspension, says group

A fisherfolk group on Thursday questioned the continuous filling of big rocks on a portion of Navotas City amid the suspension of Manila Bay reclamation projects, Maki Pulido reported on "24 Oras.”

According to the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), there should be no dumping activities in the area as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has suspended the reclamation projects while its environmental impact is being reviewed.

“Tuloy-tuloy di naman natigil yan kaya useless, walang ngipin ang suspension order,” said the group's chairperson Fernando Hicap.

Before the suspension order, dumping of sand through a black pipe in the sea was continuous in the area being reclaimed in Barangay Tanza.

The sand dumping was temporarily halted, but several trucks still come and go bringing big rocks.                                                                                          

“Sa ibabaw siguro parang inano nila yung lupa para tumigas pa dahil malambot kasi,” said Barangay Tanza chairman Nora Acosta.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the ongoing activity is a land restoration project of the San Miguel Corporation, which is not part of the 650-hectare Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation project.

“Paglilinlang na yan ng DENR. Paano mo masabi hindi reclamation nasa gitna ng Manila Bay naghahakot ang mga barko,” Hicap said.

 GMA Integrated News team is still trying to get a statement from San Miguel Corporation.

Bulacan fisherfolk said the reclamation activities are affecting their livelihood.

“Masama na tubig, sa putik yung buga ng ano ng barko, walang mahuling alimasag....Pinagbabawalan kami bawal daw, sabi ko, dagat, bawal?” said Jimmy dela Cruz, a fisherman.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News