Presidential aspirants mixed on issue of reclamation

Presidential candidates in the May 2022 polls attend the presidential forum organized by the KBP. Screenshot from the forum.

MANILA, Philippines — Five of the presidential aspirants who attended the forum sponsored by a broadcast media group have varying opinion on the issue of reclamation as they weigh in on its economic benefits and environmental impact.

During the “Panata sa Bayan” forum of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the five presidential candidates were asked about their stand on the issue of land use and reclamation.

Manila City mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said reclamation could provide new source of possible income to the country, “without giving burden” to the taxpayers.

“Kung talagang naghahanap tayo ng pambayad utang, kita, at trabaho, kailangan natin itong i-push through because this is a new source of income without giving burden sa ating taxpayers,” Moreno-Domagoso said.

“New source of possible income for everyone, but in the same manner, we must obey and follow all regulation with regard to protecting our environment and environmental effect of reclamation in their respective geography,” he added.

Senator Manny Pacquiao said that while he is not against reclamation, assessment should be in place to ensure that the environment will not be destroyed.

“Magkaroon tayo ng consultation sa ating local [government] para sila ang nakakaalam sa kanilang lugar. ‘Yan ang magiging basis natin bago mag-reclaim sa isang lugar—ang tao ang tatanungin natin kung gusto nila,” Pacquiao said.

“Mayroon naman tayong agency diyan to assess kung ang lugar ay dapat bang i-reclaim o hindi,” he further said.

Vice President Leni Robredo pointed out that economic growth should never come at the cost of environment.

“Parating kino-consider ano bang epekto nito sa mga taong kumokontra, ano bang epekto nito sa environment. Para sa akin, mahalaga talaga yung mekanismo—yung mekanismo na pinapakinggan yung experts, yung people’s councils,” Robredo said.

“Kadalasan pinapadaan lang ito sa very shallow na consultation kaya nararamdaman ng mga stakeholders na kahit kontra kami ng kontra at sinusulong pa rin nila, hindi kami napapakinggan,” she added.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said that policy decisions—including the issue of reclamation—should be science-based and data driven, saying that there are areas that really need to conduct reclamation projects.

“Pero again, dapat naka-base ito sa syensya at tsaka sa mga datos. Kailangan ba talaga? At ito ba’y makakasama sa environment? Sa ibang lugar naman, talagang di popwede,” Lacson said.

Leody De Guzman, meanwhile, said that reclamations only benefit capitalists by transforming the reclaimed lands into business centers.

“Ang kailangan natin ay isang matinong pamamahala ng gobyerno na magpprotekta doon sa ating kapaligiran at kung maaari ay talagang paunlarin pa natin yung ating effort sa pagpprotekta sa kapaligiran,” he said.

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. skipped the forum, citing conflict of schedule.

EDV