Groups ask SC for writs vs Manila Bay reclamation
The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment on Wednesday have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to issue writs against the reclamation and quarrying projects in Manila Bay.
In an 87-page petition, the groups asked the SC to declare all reclamation permits, all seabed quarry permits, environmental compliance certificates, and area clearances for reclamation projects and seabed quarry projects in Manila Bay as null and void.
They also asked the SC to direct the respondents to cease and desist from processing applications for reclamation and seabed quarrying for reclamation until proven safe.
The court was also asked to direct the respondents to protect, preserve, and rehabilitate Manila Bay in accordance with existing environmental laws and conventions.
Meanwhile, the groups also asked the court to order the respondents to pay the damages sustained by fisherfolk due to their alleged neglect of their duties.
The Philippine Reclamation Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were named as respondents.
GMA News Online has sought comment from the respondents but has yet to receive a response as of the posting time of this story.
According to the petition, the affected communities have suffered a loss of income opportunity from 2020 to 2023 in the amount of P500 per day or P182,500 per year due to the projects.
The petitioners said this totals to P730,000 per person for four years.
“[P]etitioners… testified on the drastically low fish catch, loss of income, and other hardships due to the cumulative impacts of dredging and reclamation in Manila Bay,” the petition read.
“They suffered loss of income, higher maintenance expenses for their boats that sailed farther than usual in search of fish, and repair of nets that were constantly clogged by burak and sediments, and other damages,” it added.
They argued that the consequences may have been avoided had the respondents conducted impact assessments and fully informed the fisherfolk about the impacts of seabed quarrying and reclamation.
“[R]espondents’ gross neglect of their duties resulted not only in inestimable damage to the environment but also gravely affected the livelihood of the fisherfolk who rely on the Manila Bay for their subsistence,” the petition read.
“It is only just that an award for damages be given in their favor, and to require the respondents to perform their duties to protect Manila Bay — our sea resource, playground and historical landmark — from destructive dredging and reclamation activities,” it added.
In a statement, DENR said it remains committed to fulfilling the 2008 Supreme Court mandate to clean, rehabilitate, and improve the water quality in Manila Bay.
“On the part of the DENR, we are fully dedicated to implementing measures that ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, as well as the rights and livelihoods of local communities, including fishermen,” the department said.
“Given this commitment, the DENR undertook the cumulative impact assessment and commissioned scientists led by the University of the Philippines - Marine Science Institute to understand how we can effectively fulfill the mandamus order,” it added.
GMA News Online has also sought comment from PRA but has yet to receive a response as of the posting time of this story.—RF, GMA Integrated News