President Duterte said he will never allow any massive reclamation project in Manila Bay, saying it will put the nation’s capital at peril.
In a speech in Cavite City Saturday night, Duterte said he will only allow a reclamation if it is in connection with a government project.
“Not during my time. I will only allow maybe plans of whatever reclamation if it is in connection with a government project. I will not allow massive reclamation for the private sector. Not now. Because if I — if you approve one, you approve all,” he said.
The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) said last December that at least four reclamation projects in Manila Bay were already given the green light.
The projects approved were the Navotas City Coastal Bay Reclamation Project, Pasay 360-Hectare Reclamation Project, Pasay 265-Hectare Reclamation Project, and the Horizon Manila 418-Reclamation Project.
The President said he would be choking Manila if he allows the reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
“The entire Manila City would be environmentally at peril. So pag-aralan ninyong mabuti ‘yan,” he said.
Duterte said those interested should just wait for the next administration as his successor may have a different view about it.
“For the next administration, whoever gets to be the president of this country, study it very carefully. Because that Manila there, that old city is an old city and it will decay if you add so many things in front of Manila Bay,” he said.
In February last year, President Duterte ordered the creation of the Manila Bay Task Force to ensure the expedited and complete rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation of the coastal and marine ecosystem of the Manila Bay.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which was named head of the task force, was ordered to strictly enforce the Philippine Clean Water Act on the conduct of containment, removal, and clean operations, and the exercise of supervision and control on all aspects of water quality management.
The agency was likewise tasked to monitor compliance with critical environmental laws, rules and regulations; and issue notices of closure, cease and desist orders, and other appropriate sanctions to violators, including the filing of cases against erring government officials. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
