Senator Cynthia Villar has raised concerns about reclamation projects being pursued without a comprehensive study on its environmental impact.
Villar criticized the renewed push for the reclamation of an aggregate of 635 hectares on the Las Piñas and Parañaque side of Manila Bay, saying the project poses risks to the environment, the fisherfolk, and the residents.
The proposed reclamation could severely disrupt the natural flow of water from four rivers, namely the Parañaque, Las Piñas, Zapote, and Molino rivers, the chair of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change.
“This could lead to disastrous flooding, especially with the onset of sea level rise as an effect of climate change. Moreover, should the reclamation project proceed, it would also drastically affect the daily lives of coastal residents and significantly jeopardize the livelihood of fisherfolks across Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Cavite,” the senator from Las Piñas said.
The reclamation, she added, would enroach on the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, a prime site for fish spawning, which contributes to the seafood supply in Southern National Capital Region, the CaMaNaVa region, and Bulacan.
Villar also expressed disappointment that the project is being pursued despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s sjuspension of reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
“My stance remains that in dealing with reclamation projects, authorities must ensure that the chosen course of action is the most environmentally secure and resilient rather than just the most profitable,” she said.
The lawmaker called for public consultations and a new study to assess the cumulative effect of all other reclamations already approved in the area.
Any project revival should be justified in line with the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Masterplan, which includes restoring natural habitats, and the Supreme Court’s continuing mandamus to clean, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay.IMT
