Environmental groups ask SC to stop reclamation, dredging in Manila Bay

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

A FISHERFOLK and environmental group on Wednesday asked the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) to stop two-dozen reclamation and seabed quarrying projects in Manila Bay, citing long-term irreparable effects on the environment and livelihood of 300,000 fishermen.

Groups Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment also cited damage to the entire country in terms of food security and patrimony in seeking a writ of kalikasan and continuing mandamus from the high court.

“The environmental and socioeconomic impacts of dredging and reclamation have a domino effect on the historical, cultural and sentimental values and other uses of Manila Bay,” the plaintiffs said in an 87-page pleading.

“With buildings standing soon on reclaimed lands, the bay would lose its historical and cultural value as the site of the Battle of Manila Bay, which is related to Filipinos’ national essence and integrity,” they added.

Named respondents were the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

“The DENR remains committed to fulfilling its mandate in line with the Supreme Court’s 2008 mandamus order for all named 13 agencies to clean, rehabilitate and improve the water quality in Manila Bay,” the agency said in a Viber message.

“We are fully dedicated to implementing measures that ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, as well as the rights and livelihoods of local communities, including fishermen,” it added.

PRA had not received a copy of the pleading and would “respond to the proper forum,” spokesperson Omni R. Gruba told BusinessWorld by telephone.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs asked the tribunal to declare all reclamation permits, environmental compliance certificates and area clearances for reclamation projects in the bay as void.

DENR approved 10 of seabed quarry permits from 2019 to 2023 for the use of marine sediments in Manila Bay for construction materials, some of them for various projects including the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, according to the lawsuit.

“A dozen more seabed quarry projects are in the pipeline.”

PRA approved the 13 of 25 applications for reclamation permits during the period, it said.

“The combined size of these reclamation projects including those in the pipeline would be around 9,000 hectares, which is almost three times larger than the total land area of Macao and more than twice the size of the entire city of Manila,” the plaintiffs said.

They added that two of the reclamation activities continue despite a moratorium ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

They asked the high court to compel agencies to disclose all documents concerning seabed quarrying and reclamation projects in Manila Bay, including project descriptions, environmental impact statements and assessments.

They also said the respondents should cease processing applications for reclamation and seabed quarrying for reclamation in Manila Bay until these are proven safe to the environment, climate and people.

The plaintiffs said the reclamation and quarrying activities have led to fewer catch among fishermen. “They didn’t change their traditional methods of fishing, bait, or location during the period, but the catch was unusually low.”

“Squids, in fact, were completely gone.”

The environmental groups said reclamation destroys mangroves and results in the mass migration of fish and birds, generating a dramatic change in the ecosystem. “Reclamation activities do not only harm marine life but also their habitats like the mangroves,” they said, citing green advocate Oceana.

DENR and PRA did not immediately respond to a Viber message and e-mail seeking comments.

A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy for people whose right to a balanced ecology is violated by the act or omission of another person or entity involving environmental damage of such magnitude as to prejudice the life, health or property of inhabitants in two or more cities or provinces.