MANILA, Philippines — Manila Bay is still abundant in marine resources, fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said yesterday, following reports that some local government units were discouraging small fishers from fishing in Manila Bay by saying that it is already a “dead” body of water.
“Contrary to the claims of local officials, Manila Bay is still diverse with marine resources. In fact, a significant fishing population from Cavite, Metro Manila, Bulacan and Bataan rely on its fishing grounds,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a statement.
The fisherfolk group cited a report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau showing that coral reefs still thrive in Cavite. The report said that 72 percent of coral reefs in the bay are found in the province.
Pamalakaya, however, said the bay’s resources are threatened by massive reclamation projects. Based on the group’s record, there are at least 30 pending and ongoing reclamation projects in Manila, of which 21 have been issued environmental compliance certificates by the DENR.
Among the projects that have environmental permits are the 420-hectare Bacoor Reclamation project, the 2,500-hectare Bulacan Aerotropolis project, a 360-hectare reclamation project in Pasay, a 650-hectare reclamation project in Navotas and the 419-hectare Horizon Manila project.
“We have sought help from the DENR under its current secretary, Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, but to no avail,” Hicap said.
He called on local governments to demand that the government stop “destructive” reclamation activities and “promote genuine rehabilitation.” – Danessa Rivera