FILE PHOTO: LAND MEETS LAND This photo taken on Monday shows how this portion of Manila Bay along J.W. Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City has changed due to reclamation activities. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The activist fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Tuesday denounced President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to lift the suspension order of two reclamation projects in Pasay City.
The Pasay City government announced on Sunday that the construction of its Pasay Eco-City Coastal Development will resume following the project’s acquisition of an environmental compliance certificate and area clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), respectively.
“All reclamation projects in Manila Bay are supposed to be on hold while the DENR is conducting its cumulative impact assessment. Why the sudden turnaround on the verbal suspension order?” the group said in a statement.
Pamalakaya also stressed that all reclamation projects in Manila Bay should be put on hold while the DENR conducts its cumulative assessment.
“Dapat ay in effect ang suspension order habang isinasagawa ng DENR ang cumulative impact assessment, kaya hindi makatuwiran na may inexempt sa 22 reclamation projects na may ECC [environmental compliance certificate],” the group’s National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a text message to Inquirer.net.
(The suspension order should be in effect while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducts the cumulative impact assessment, so it is unreasonable for some of the 22 reclamation projects with ECCs to be exempted.)
“The worsening flood hazards and environmental problems caused by reclamation should’ve prompted the DENR to review the feasibility studies submitted by the proponents in getting environmental permits for their projects,” the group’s statement continued.
“We maintain that every single reclamation in Manila Bay is harmful to the marine ecosystem and livelihood of fisherfolk, and thus should be completely terminated,” it added.
Pasay City’s The Eco-City development plan comprises two reclamation projects in Manila Bay named “Pasay 265” and “Pasay 360.”
“Pasay 265” is a partnership with Pasay Harbor Corp., spanning 265 hectares, while “Pasay 360” is a collaboration with SM Smart City Infrastructure and Development Corp., spanning 360 hectares.
In August 2023, Marcos verbally ordered the suspension of 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay to check their compliance with environmental policies.