Senator Cynthia Villar expressed disappointment over the reclamation projects in Manila Bay of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Villar is currently the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change. The committee recently held a hearing on the proposed 2023 budget of the DENR.
During the hearing, Sen. Nancy Binay inquired from the agency’s officials about the status of the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach and the reclamation area in Manila Bay.
Binay said from her office at the Senate of the Philippines, she can see ships placing sand on the beach.
But DENR Usec. Atty. Jonas Leones said that the project on Dolomite Beach had ended.
“(Former) President Duterte, I think it was 2019 or 2020, he said there is a moratorium on the reclamation at Manila Bay. But at Manila Bay, from my office, I can see the view of Manila Bay. I can see sand still being dropped,” Binay said.
Leones said the rehabilitation at Manila Bay is continuous. He said the DENR has stopped placing sand at the site.
The Manila Bay project has yet to get a budget, the official added. The budget for its rehabilitation will go to enforcement as well as protection efforts, Leones said.
Regarding the reclamation project, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga, said as of August 2022, 21 companies have been given environmental compliance certificates. She said the ECC is intended for the reclamation from Cavite to Navotas.
“It appears that the moratorium was not in effect when these ECCs were actually granted,” Loyzaga said.
At this juncture, Villar questioned DENR Director for Environmental Management Bureau Engr. William Cuñado about the particular areas along Coastal Road in Cavite which were issued that are being rehabilitated.
Cunado said the coastal road is 846 hectares and that the reclamation project is at Cavitex.
The senator, an environmental advocate, has strongly opposed to any reclamation project in the area as it would cause flooding.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson warned flooding in Las Pinas will be up to three stories high since there will be no outlet for the flood water. Loyzaga vowed to review the policies on reclamation.
