AT the moment there are said to be 13 reclamation projects (but DENR says 22) in Manila Bay, authorized and shepherded by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (formerly Public Estates Authority). Though it has been announced that only three are actually being worked at. Well, those three have created enough havoc. The Philippine Reclamation Authority whose mandate is to regulate reclamation to result in environmentally sustainable land, promote coastal resilience and develop government properties to advance development goals seems to have decided to give reclamation permits big time for Manila Bay. In light of previous reclamations, there should be a moratorium on reclaiming Manila Bay by now. The entities with reclamation permits tout increased business opportunities, thousands of local jobs and of course, attractive real estate. That scenario seems to be within our Philippine setting of the wide gap between rich and poor, to be strictly for the rich. They build, they sell and they become richer while the general public which has an equal interest in Manila Bay loses it. Whatever job opportunities the poor will get will be temporary and that is all that is on offer for them. The essential question in light of the negative impact of reclamation, which is disruption of ecosystems, loss of biodiversity and real loss of livelihood of people who depend on Manila Bay — is it worth it?
To begin with, 22 reclamation projects is a bridge too far in terms of Manila Bay. One can see what is going on right now with just three — the sea receding from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay, mounds of earth dotting what was once the wide expanse of water in Manila Bay, the plight of fisherfolk threatened with the loss of their livelihoods, and for environmental heritage advocates the loss of the spectacular world-renowned Manila sunset seen against the horizon of sea and sky.
It says it is just filling up fishponds that are under water turning them into land. Well, that is the exact dictionary definition of reclamation, which is turning something that is not useful land because it is under water into land by filling it with soil. It is curious why San Miguel denies it is doing reclamation work.In a prime example of an airport on reclaimed land there is the Kansai Airport in Osaka that sits on two artificial islands on Osaka Bay.
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