MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) approves the continuation of the 2 reclamation projects in Pasay City on Wednesday.
The two reclamation projects namely the 265-hectares Pasay Harbor City reclamation project and the 360-hectares Pasay reclamation project were allowed to resume after having complied with the requirements of the agency.
“After they complied with what was required, documentation-wise and then review-wise as well overall. The DENR actually submitted a report and they had in fact substantially complies,” Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga told reporters.
“Some of the Environmental Compliance Certificate and area clearance terms were given on certain conditionalities and so we are trying to address the compliance to those conditionalities, not the post but now in terms of the review process,” she added.
The DENR Secretary clarified that only the Philippine Reclamation Authority can uplift the suspended status of the said projects as the agency can only “evaluate and assess compliance”.
The agency conducted project evaluation and community impact assessment for the reclamation project.
“We do not suspend, we do not lift the suspension, that is a matter for PRA”, Loyzaga said.
The Pasay City government announced that the reclamation projects completed the compliance requirements of the Local Government, DENR and PRA.
Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda said reclamation would bring an estimated P563 Billion in real estate assets for the government.
“Very strong cases of responsible reclamation projects”, Salceda said, highlighting that the reclamation project will protect Pasay City from flooding.
President Ferdinand Marcos suspended 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay by pending a review of their compliance with environmental regulations.
Meanwhile, environmental groups have warned about the possible damages that the reclamation projects will cause to marine habitats as well as to coastal communities whose livelihood rely on the sea.
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