PRA defends Manila Bay reclamation projects

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) assistant general manager Joseph Literal is defending reclamation projects in Manila Bay, maintaining that the projects are compliant with government requirements.

“(The 13 Manila Bay reclamation projects which were all underway) have scrupulously obtained their Environmental Compliance Reports, area clearances and necessary certifications while adhering to additional prerequisites,” Literal said in a radio interview over the weekend.

He added that the projects underwent “meticulous environmental evaluations, encompassing comprehensive studies delving into climate change impacts, geological analyses and holistic ecological ramifications.”

In a statement sent to The STAR, Literal claimed that the projects would not cause flooding in the mainland as reclaimed lands would be situated 20 to 200 meters from Manila Bay’s coastlines.

The 13 approved reclamation projects would develop only 5,000 of the estimated 199,000 hectares in Manila Bay from Navotas City to Tanza in Cavite, he noted. There are a total of 22 reclamation projects nationwide.

President Marcos suspended the 22 reclamation projects last week pending review of their compliance with environmental laws.

As for Chinese companies blacklisted by the United States and involved in the reclamation projects, Literal said they “possess Philippine Contractor’s Accreditation Board special licenses, substantiating their non-blacklisted status and compliance with Philippine laws, evading blacklisting.”