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

MANILA BAY RECLAMATION

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span id="isPasted" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173198451737120230812-manila-bay-reclamation-pasay-bs1.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="white-space:pre-wrap">A security officer walks along a reclamation project in Manila, Philippines, August 12, 2023. <em>ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">MANILA — Sen. Cynthia Villar on Tuesday said 20 reclamation projects in Manila Bay remained suspended, including those with environmental compliance certificates (ECCs).</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“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). </span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“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.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Hontiveros noted that although projects obtained all necessary permits, they could still have adverse effects on the environment.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">But Villar assured Hontiveros that all reclamation projects, including the two which were ongoing, would remain under review and might still face suspension.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">&quot;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,&quot; Villar said.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">&quot;Because there were some mistakes like the one in Bacoor. Nag-overlap yung dalawang reclamation project,&quot; the senator said.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Hontiveros agreed with the actions implemented by the DENR on the halted reclamation projects and the process for approving reclamation projects. </span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“So posible rin na sa reclamation projects na inapplyan… posibleng may matukoy na mistakes at mayroong – iwasto doon kung sakali?” she said. </span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Villar replied in the affirmative. </span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/10/23/all-manila-bay-reclamation-projects-suspended-denr">DENR says all 22 Manila Bay reclamation projects suspended</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

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

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

20 Manila Bay reclamation projects still suspended: senator | ABS-CBN

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20 Manila Bay reclamation projects still suspended: senator

20 Manila Bay reclamation projects still suspended: senator

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 19, 2024 10:52 AM PHT

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reclamation projects

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