Maps show extent of Manila Bay reclamation projects

Maps provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources show the location of the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, currently suspended pending review.

At a Palace press briefing on Thursday, DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said there are a total of 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay that are under review and thus are deemed suspended.

According to a report by Ian Cruz on "24 Oras" on Thursday, the Philippine Reclamation Authority lists 25 projects, including 13 that have already been approved.

Three are ongoing: Harbour City in Pasay, with 265 hectares of land allocated for institutions, condominiums and hotels; a 390-hectare joint venture between the city and SM Prime Holdings; and the 318-hectare Manila Waterfront City project near the United States Embassy.

Seven are in the implementation or preparatory stage: the 650-hectare Navotas Coastal Bay project; the 419-hectare Horizon Manila project; the 148-hectare Manila Solar City project; Las Pinas-Parañaque Coastal Bay Project with over 431 and 203 hectares; and three reclamation projects in Bacoor, Cavite covering 90, 230, and 100 hectares.

Three have been approved: the 400-hectare City of Pearl Reclamation Project in Manila; the 844-hectare Manila-Cavite toll expressway reclamation project in Bacoor; and the 472-hectare Cavite four-island reclamation project.

Except for the Solar City project, these are led by the participating local government units with their private partners.

The PRA still holds 12 pending reclamation applications from Navotas to Cavite for Manila Bay reclamation.

According to Assistant PRA General Manager Joseph Literal, the agency has  received the letter from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s directive regarding the suspension of all Manila Bay reclamations.

"We are now crafting our respect letters to the affected LGUs, so by tomorrow, mapapadala na namin ito, suspending all reclamation projects," said Literal.

The PRA official is not certain whether the suspension will mean the ships and personnel taking part in reclamation activities will leave the country while the projects are suspended.

"Hindi ko po malaman kung ano po ang naging conditions po ng kanilang special permit whether kung ma-suspend they have to leave or they may be required to park the vessel na may corresponding fees," Literal said.

Meanwhile, the city government of Manila confirmed that it had received the suspension order, and that it respects Marcos Jr.'s decision. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News