BUSINESS AS USUAL Reclamation work in Manila Bay goes on unhampered on Wednesday despite President Marcos’ statement that 21 of the 22 projects are suspended. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Only private business owners would benefit from the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, former Environment secretary and ex-Manila mayor Lito Atienza said on Friday.
In a statement, Atienza said he supports the decision of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to suspend all reclamation projects in the area, along with calls for an investigation of the issue.
Marcos last Wednesday clarified that all reclamation works in the Manila Bay, except for one that has been reviewed, had been suspended. This was echoed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“We fully support the decision of President Bongbong Marcos to suspend all reclamation projects in Manila Bay. Truly, he is our only hope to see the wrongfulness of approving 22 reclamation projects in the Bay. We also support the investigation into how these projects came about. What yardstick was used to allow all this in the first place?” Atienza asked.
“Binobola nila ang mga tao by saying that para sa inyo ito. Para kanino? Walang kikita diyan kundi ang mga private owners. Enough is enough! BBM should continue protecting the welfare of the people and not just a few,” he added.
(They are just tricking the public by saying that these initiatives are for you. But for whom, really? No one would earn there except the private owners. Enough is enough! BBM (Bongbong Marcos) should continue protecting the welfare of the people and not just a few.)
READ: DENR clarifies: All Manila Bay reclamation projects are suspended
READ: Manila Bay reclamation works suspended amid US concern, floods
According to Atienza, they have been trying their best to protect Manila Bay — even when he was a Manila official and DENR head under former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration — as they tried to ban all forms of reclamation in the area.
“Our commitment to protect Manila Bay has always taken precedence. In 1995, during my term as Vice Mayor of Manila, we passed Ordinance No. 7777 banning all forms of reclamation in Manila Bay. We continued this during our three terms as Mayor of Manila, and even developed the promenade into what became known as the Baywalk,” he said.
“This afforded people with an unimpeded view of the spectacular Manila Bay sunset. But this ordinance, tragically, was repealed by the succeeding administration. This opened the floodgates that allowed reclamation projects in the Bay,” he added.
Marcos announced that the projects were suspended after the United States Embassy to the Philippines raised concerns about the reclamation going at the Manila Bay.
The Embassy also noted that the contractor for the project has been linked to the China Communications Construction Company — the same construction firm that built air and naval bases on West Philippine Sea islands.
READ: US Embassy: Manila Bay reclamation projects harm environment, commerce
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said they are concerned because it could have an environmental impact on Manila Bay, and eventually damage the cultural and heritage appeal of the historic Roxas Boulevard.
The US Embassy office in Manila sits near the famed bay.