House bill seeks special body to manage, protect Manila Bay

DESERVING SPECIAL CARE A boy cuts a playful figure with the Manila Bay as backdrop. Famous for its sunset view, the bay is now the subject of a congressional bill that calls for the creation of a special body that will protect and manage its development in the face of reclamation projects. JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines–Manila Bay, one of the world’s finest natural harbors, deserves a special body that would take charge of its development and balanced growth while ensuring its protection, according to Bataan Rep. Enrique Garcia.

The Manila Bay area, which is bound by Metro Manila, Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan and Pampanga, has become one of the country’s most challenged marine resources, said Garcia. He pointed out that industrialization and rapid urban growth has led to the decline in water quality and the destruction of marine habitats there.

Garcia has filed a bill for the creation of the Manila Bay Development Authority, which would protect and preserve the bay, as well as pursue plans and policies for its social and economic development.

Important thoroughfare

The body would also be in charge of environmental management and control, preservation of quality of human life and ecological systems and the prevention of undue ecological disturbances, deterioration and pollution in the area.

Garcia noted that Manila Bay is an important thoroughfare for commerce and industry, and also enjoys a rich ecosystem, with upland forests, mangroves, mudflats, beaches, seagrass and coral reefs.

But several factors have degraded its overall environment, including industrial waste discharges and untreated domestic waste from drainage and sewer outlets, he said.

Successive changes

Industries, shipyard facilities, refineries and power plants are among those that operate along the bay.

“Successive changes in and around Manila Bay are largely due to the intertwining impact of continued industrialization, unrelenting increase in population and the incessant human activities catering to livelihood and habitation,” Garcia said in the explanatory note to his bill.

The proposed Manila Bay Development Authority would be tasked with drafting the comprehensive plan to conserve and optimally utilize the resources within the area to promote its rapid social and economic development.

It would also have the power to approve plans, programs and projects concerning Manila Bay proposed by local government units, corporations and private persons and enterprises. It could take legal actions against those that implement projects in the area without its clearance.

Power to collect fees

It would be empowered to collect annual fees for the use of bay waters and its tributaries for all beneficial purposes, including recreation, city, industrial, agricultural, fisheries, navigation and waste disposal purpose.

The body could engage in agriculture, industry, commerce and other activities which may be necessary or contributory to the socio-economic development of the area.

The bill seeks to give the Manila Bay Development Authority an authorized capital of P500 million, with P251 million from the national government and P249 million from cities, provinces, municipalities, government corporations and private investors.

It would be directly under the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) for policy program and integration.