A security officer walks along a reclamation project in Manila, Philippines, August 12, 2023. ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Sen. Cynthia Villar on Tuesday said 20 reclamation projects in Manila Bay remained suspended, including those with environmental compliance certificates (ECCs).

“The latest update from the scientist conducting the studies that targets for completion will end at fiscal year 2024. Habang ginagawa ito, nananatili ang suspension ng anumang reclamation projects sa Manila Bay,” said Villar, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 

When pressed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros why the 360-hectare SM Prime Project and the 265-hectare Pasay Harbour City project were exempted from suspension, Villar explained that these projects had met all legal requirements.

“They have the ECC and they have complied with the area clearance and they are already ongoing before the suspension happened,” Villar said during the DENR’s budget hearing.

Hontiveros noted that although projects obtained all necessary permits, they could still have adverse effects on the environment.

But Villar assured Hontiveros that all reclamation projects, including the two which were ongoing, would remain under review and might still face suspension.

"They can be subject to revision din, yung plano nila. Mamo-modify din kasi kung makaka-cause ng flooding. Etong pinatuloy, yung SM, pinagawa sila ng channel na 400 meters... eto nagmo-monitoring sila (DENR), at kung may gustong ipabago ay nagre-revision din," Villar said.

She also disclosed that the agency and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) were drafting a joint memorandum to improve the application process for reclamation projects.

"Because there were some mistakes like the one in Bacoor. Nag-overlap yung dalawang reclamation project," the senator said.

Hontiveros agreed with the actions implemented by the DENR on the halted reclamation projects and the process for approving reclamation projects. 

“So posible rin na sa reclamation projects na inapplyan… posibleng may matukoy na mistakes at mayroong – iwasto doon kung sakali?” she said. 

Villar replied in the affirmative. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s last year stopped 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay indefinitely, following public concern over the potential ecological damage caused by these projects, including harm to marine biodiversity, increased pollution, and worsening flood risks.

DENR says all 22 Manila Bay reclamation projects suspended