MANILA, Philippines – Developers and concerned local governments should protect the fisherfolk to be displaced by ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga said on Thursday, February 20.
In 2023, Lozyaga announced that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was undertaking the cumulative impact assessment of Manila Bay reclamation projects.
The study was now complete and it was portions of that assessment that she discussed in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview on Thursday.
The study’s part about the fisheries sector has been submitted to the DENR.
“May mga ma-di-displace po at kailangan po may sagot rin ang mga developer at mga LGU na partner nila kung papano nila talaga pangangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga communities na talagang hanapbuhay po nila ay nandidiyan,” said Loyzaga.
(There will be those who will be displaced and the developers and their partner LGUs should protect the welfare of these communities and their livelihood.)
Among other issues they are looking at related to Manila Bay reclamations are: circulation of water, flood, traffic and solid waste management. Loyzaga said there are also concerns on these projects’ sources of water and electricity.
“Lahat po ‘yan (everthing) —social, economic, environmental — and we have to consider everything that has been put on the table by the different proponent na LGUs,” Loyzaga added.
The full assessment has yet to be made public. It will be used to inform the government’s implementation of its mandate to restore Manila Bay waters to recreation quality.
Environmental groups and fisherfolk organizations sent a letter to the DENR in December 2024, pressing the agency to reveal the findings of the assessment. (READ: What damage has reclamations done to Manila Bay? Groups urge DENR to divulge findings)
One of the projects in Manila Bay that groups criticize for having impact on communities and the environment is San Miguel Corporation’s New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.
The company had said in an earlier statement that the airport is not a reclamation project but a redevelopment of inundated land.
“Small fisherfolk have borne the brunt of this project,” Ronnel Arambulo, vice chairperson of fisherfolk group Pamalakaya said in January.
“The construction of this sinking airport has led to the destruction of fishing grounds, loss of livelihood, displacement of entire communities, and worsened our vulnerabilities to the climate crisis.”
– Rappler.com