5-8-2023 (MANILA) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has announced its plans to conduct a comprehensive review of all reclamation projects in Manila Bay. This move comes in the wake of a recent controversy surrounding the involvement of a Chinese company in one of the projects. DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga made the announcement during a press conference, stating that a team would be formed to carry out the review. The composition of the team will be announced in due course.
Loyzaga emphasized that the public would be kept informed throughout the process and mentioned that the DENR intends to seek the assistance of foreign experts to aid the panel in their evaluation. The decision to review the projects follows concerns raised by the United States embassy in Manila regarding the environmental impact and the ties between the Manila Bay reclamation projects and a Chinese firm that has been blacklisted by the US for its involvement in the construction and militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea.
One of the key issues that the review aims to address is the potential exacerbation of flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Cavite, and Pampanga, due to the reclamation projects. Loyzaga stressed the importance of approaching these projects with caution, taking into account scientific assessments and adherence to the rule of law.
Loyzaga referred to Executive Order 74, which directs the DENR to conduct a cumulative impact assessment on all reclamation projects. She acknowledged that individual projects had been processed without considering the cumulative impact of all the projects together. Loyzaga also mentioned the Supreme Court’s mandamus, which ordered multiple government agencies, including the DENR, to ensure the rehabilitation of Manila Bay to the extent that it becomes suitable for swimming.
The Waterfront Manila Premier Development Inc. (WMPDI), the proponent of the Manila Waterfront City Reclamation Project, has maintained that it has complied with the DENR’s requirements. The project has faced scrutiny due to concerns raised by the US embassy regarding its environmental impact and its association with a Chinese company accused of fraudulent business practices. The WMPDI clarified that the Chinese firm involved in the project is not blacklisted by the World Bank and highlighted that the project is privately funded, with the national government set to receive a 51 percent share of the reclaimed land upon completion.
Environmental groups, including Oceana and Pamalakaya, have called for a halt to all Manila Bay reclamation projects until a comprehensive cumulative impact assessment is completed. They argue that these projects have already caused significant environmental damage and have negatively affected the livelihoods of fisherfolk.
The DENR’s review of Manila Bay reclamation projects signals a commitment to ensuring the sustainable development and protection of the bay’s ecosystem. By involving experts and considering the cumulative impact of these projects, the DENR aims to strike a balance between economic development and environmental conservation. The results of the review will provide valuable insights for future decision-making processes regarding reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
