Manila Bay reclamation project revived

MANILA, Philippines—A reclamation project on Manila Bay that has been scuttled since 1991 is back on the table, with Manila executives entering into a consortium agreement to develop 148 hectares of the bay.

The agreement, which the city executives entered into with Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. on April 17, would be the first step to develop into a “business center” the southern parcel of the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road Reclamation (MCCRRP) North Sector Reclamation Project (NSRP), a copy of the consortium agreement showed.

The project area covers the southern end of Manila Bay in the city, including portions fronting the Manila Yacht Club and the Philippine Navy.

In March 1991, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), then the Public Estates Authority, actually issued to Goldcoast’s parent company, the Elco Development & Construction Corp., a notice of award allowing the latter to “reclaim and develop” the southern parcel of the MNSRP.

But in 1992, an ordinance was passed prohibiting any reclamation in the area in a bid to preserve the bay. The Office of the President ordered the project deferred.

With Goldcoast’s constant follow-up over the years, and with an executive order in 2006 giving approval powers of reclamation projects back to the PRA, the PRA on April 1 last year finally reaffirmed the 1991 awarding of the project to Goldcoast.

The city council also passed Ordinance No. 8233 authorizing Lim to apply for the reclamation with the PRA and effectively repealing the ordinance banning reclamation on the Bay.

The city government only entered into the agreement with Goldcoast on the condition the city be included in the “consortium” undertaking the project and would “be given an equitable share in the reclaimed land.”

Goldcoast will fund and execute the reclamation and provide construction facilities, while the city has agreed to provide utilities, facilitate right of way, and assist in importing or exporting construction tools and even labor.

A management committee will be set up composed of three representatives each from Goldcoast and the city.

Sharing of the consortium proceeds would be 70.55 percent for Goldcoast, and 29.45 percent for the city, the agreement showed.

On Tuesday, the city council began mulling the passage of a resolution ratifying the agreement, acting on an urgent request from the office of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. The issue was referred to the Committee on Laws.