Las Piñas mayor: Manila Bay project to push through

MANILA, Philippines - Las Piñas Mayor Vergel Aguilar expressed confidence Thursday that the proposed P14-billion Manila Bay reclamation project will push through in spite of opposition from some quarters.

In a statement, Aguilar said the plan to develop the reclaimed portion along the bay strip spanning Las Piñas and Parañaque went through a series of consultations.

The project is supported by scientific research – conducted by reputable organizations such as the Danish Hydrological Institute, DCCD Engineering Corp. and Surbana – stating that it would not cause massive environmental damage and flooding, he said.

Aguilar said the project has the support of the city’s 20 barangay chairpersons and 140 barangay councilmen, as stated in a resolution.

“I am convinced that the Alltech Coastal Bay Project is not detrimental to the environment and would bring in the needed economic development in terms of livelihood and will provide 20,000 jobs for the residents,” he said.

Aguilar said Las Piñas ranks fourth among the Metro Manila cities with the lowest revenue but is the fourth largest in terms of population.

He said he does not know why Sen. Cynthia Villar, his sister, is opposing the Manila Bay reclamation project.

The controversy over the project stemmed from a petition that prompted the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a writ of kalikasan and remand the case to the Court of Appeals (CA).

The appellate court junked the petition, saying the petitioners – Villar among them – failed to prove that the project would cause massive environmental damage. A motion was recently filed with the SC to overturn the CA’s decision.