MANILA, Philippines — Amid impending reclamation projects in Manila Bay, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order transferring the power to approve reclamation projects to his office.
Under Executive Order 74, the Philippine Reclamation Authority will now be under the Office of the President.
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The order also stripped the National Economic and Development Authority of the power to approve reclamation projects and delegates the authority to the PRA.
"The PRA shall be under the control and supervision of the OP, while the power of the President to approve all reclamation projects shall be delegated to the PRA Governing Board. Such delegation, however, shall not be construed as diminishing the President's authority to modify, amend or nullify the action of the PRA Governing Board," the order read.
Under EO 74, the PRA is mandated to seek the opinions of the NEDA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Finance on any proposed reclamation project.
Cumulative impact of projects to be considered
Duterte's latest order stressed that the PRA should not approve any reclamation project without the required area clearance and environmental compliance certificate from the DENR.
The PRA was also directed to ensure that all reclamation projects undergo competitive public bidding to ensure transparency and competitiveness.
"All proposals for reclamation projects shall be evaluated by the PRA based on their cumulative impacts rather than on a specific project basis," the order read.
EO 74 covers all reclamation projects, including those initiated by local government units and other agencies, "for which there are no contracts/agreements yet executed between the government entity concerned and a private sector proponent."
The order, which was signed February 1, takes effect immediately.
The House of Representatives' Makabayan bloc has urged the government to postpone the rehabilitation of Manila Bay as it includes the resettlement of about 300,000 informal settlers.
Malacañang, however, insisted that the planned reclamation projects in the polluted Manila Bay would benefit more people. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government sees the reclamation projects as a positive development.
“With respect to reclamation, even the government will benefit from that 65-35 (split), we get 65, it’s big — that will generate income for the government and will generate jobs — because they will be establishing structures there,” Panelo said last week. — Patricia Lourdes Viray