The sea has disappeared from Roxas Boulevard – Marcos
Credit to Author: Helen Flores| Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — Several problems have been found involving the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, President Marcos said yesterday, as he lamented that the sea has disappeared from Roxas Boulevard.
Marcos made the remark during a situation briefing in Malolos City, Bulacan after a local official said the ongoing airport project in the province is being blamed for the severe flooding there.
“All are suspended, all reclamation projects are under review, except for one, which was allowed to push through as it was reviewed already,” the President said.
He did not identify the project.
“This is another big problem that we need to address,” Marcos said. “On Roxas Boulevard, the sea is gone.”
During a recent press briefing at Malacañang, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said the agency is assembling a team of scientists and experts to conduct a cumulative impact assessment of Manila Bay reclamation projects.
“So, we have started to talk to the different scientists that will be part of that,” she said.
Asked if the government will halt reclamation projects if there is a negative impact based on the cumulative assessment, Loyzaga said: “I think what’s important is reclamation has a certain value, obviously in terms of the economy.”
Fishers’ group Pangisda Pilipinas on Monday called on Loyzaga to include fisherfolk leaders in the panel, which will review all the reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
“Based on the previous experience, officials said reviews on the projects were done but in reality, no assessment was made. We were part of the problem that was created, we should then be part of the solution to be implemented,” Pangisda Pilipinas national chairman Pablo Rosales said.
Loyzaga on Friday said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will form a team to assess all ongoing reclamation projects amid the controversial issue on the Manila Waterfront City Reclamation Project, adding that the composition of the team will be announced soon.
“We can only say that the pronouncement (of Secretary Loyzaga) is true if the review of the panel starts. Why is it only now that this policy is made after many islands have sprouted in the Manila Bay and already displaced 100,000 fishermen?” Rosales said.
Rosales also welcomed the concern of the United States embassy on the environmental impact of the project, as well the involvement of China Communications Construction Co.
He said that fishers’ groups are preparing to file cases before the Supreme Court against those involved in reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
Reclamation projects do not benefit ordinary people as mostly casinos, hotels and other commercial establishments are being built in the bay, he said.