Manila Bay reclamation projects contradict gov't programs, says DENR

The 22 suspended Manila Bay reclamation projects run contrary to the government's Manila Bay rehabilitation program, Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga told a congressional hearing on Wednesday.

"In our view, there is a contradiction between the reclamation projects and the rehabilitation of the bay," Loyzaga said during a budget hearing at the House of Representatives.

"This is why a cumulative impact assessment is being conducted to mitigate the possible impacts of the changes in the environment that the reclamation may actually cause," she added, referring to the suspension of the reclamation projects in the Manila Bay.

Loyzaga made the response when asked by House Deputy Minority Leader Marissa Magsino of OFW party-list as to why the the DENR issued Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) to Manila Bay reclamation projects when it has an ongoing Manila Bay rehabilitation project and is the lead agency in implementing the 2008 Supreme Court mandamus ruling tasking the government to rehabilitate, clean up, and restore Manila Bay for recreational use and fishery resources development.

"The intention of the conduct of the cumulative impact assessment is that instead of evaluating each and every project, we will create a situation where all these reclamation will actually occur, and what impact that would bring to the baseline condition of the Manila Bay as we know it,"  Loyzaga said.

Loyzaga said the DENR, for that matter, is already scheduled to meet the impact assessment team for the Manila Bay reclamation projects on Wednesday afternoon, August 16.

"We will be meeting with the first batch of scientists invited for the cumulative impact assessment led by Filipinos. We will also tap foreign experts in advisory roles, but the team will be led by Filipino oceanographers, marine biologists, social scientists and other disciplines," she said.

Magsino, in response, asked the DENR for a written explanation as to why the reclamation projects were issued ECC when an impact assessment has yet to be done.

According to Magsino, the Philippine Reclamation Authority has said that it approved 13 reclamations for 6,000 hectares of water in Manila Bay, and these have been given ECC by the DENR.

"Did we not foresee these negative effects of the environment?" Magsino asked.

"Haven't you coordinated with PRA vis-a-vis your Manila Bay Coastal Development projects? This is mind boggling po, so may I ask for a report on this," Magsino added.

Loyzaga said she will comply with Magsino's request.

The PRA earlier said that only three ongoing projects are affected by the suspension of all 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay as most of them are still under various stages of compliance.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa GTV on Saturday, PRA Assistant General Manager Joseph John Literal said the PRA already served the suspension notices to local government units (LGUs) implementing the projects, particularly the Metro Manila cities of Navotas, Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas; as well as Bacoor City, and Cavite province. —KBK, GMA Integrated News