Photo from Pamalakaya
MANILA, Philippines — Members of the fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) gathered on Friday at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) central office in Quezon City to ask the agency’s support in stopping reclamation projects in the Manila Bay.
According to Pamalakaya, more than 32,000 hectares of fishing waters will be affected by the 46 reclamation projects being eyed in Manila Bay.
Two of the reclamation projects have already obtained environmental certificates, which have led to the destruction of at least 600 mangrove trees in Bulacan and the landfilling of fishponds in Cavite, said Pamalakaya.
READ: ‘Saving’ Manila Bay: Dolomite beach, wetlands drowning in wastes
“This protest is a humble appeal to Environment Secretary [Antonia] Yulo-Loyzaga to stand alongside the fisherfolks and coastal residents in our fight against reclamation projects in Manila Bay,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a statement.
He then urged Yulo-Gonzaga to denounce the reclamation and reject all permits for projects of the same nature.
“Given the environmental cost of reclamation, it should be a no-brainer for the DENR to oppose this activity if they are true to their mandate of environmental protection. Moreover, with her track record as a staunch climate change advocate, secretary Yulo-Loyzaga should deem reclamation projects as among the major factors of climate change that exacerbate natural disasters,” Hicap added.
Aside from the ecological consequences of reclamation projects, Pamalakaya also pointed out its adverse effects on fishing communities.
“Scientists and environmental experts have long proven that there is no science in the world that tells us that reclamation is good for the marine environment. On top of its environmental catastrophe, reclamation entails massive displacement of fisherfolks and coastal communities, threatening their livelihood and local fish supply,” Hicap added.
INQUIRER.net has sought a response from Yulo-Loyzaga and the DENR, but they have yet to respond as of posting time.
The DENR in 2019 started its rehabilitation program of Manila Bay. Among its the controversial projects was the dolomite beach, where a portion of Manila Bay’s beach was covered with ground dolomite rock that look like white sand.
Critics and environmental activists have since slammed the costly move, arguing that this does not address the real ecological problems of Manila Bay.
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