MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Despite the government’s suspension of all 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay, a militant fisherfolk group said dredging continues in the coastal waters of Cavite.
The militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday morning (Aug 13) reported seeing vessels engaged in dredging off the shores of Rosario, Noveleta, Tanza, and Naic in Cavite.
According to the group, the dredging was allowed by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and San Miguel Corp (SMC) for the dump-and-fill projects in Manila Waterfront Reclamation and the Bulacan Aetropolis Project.
SMC chief Ramon Ang clarified in a BizBuzz report in Inquirer that no reclamation is ongoing for the Bulacan mega airport project.
“The project site has existing, valid land titles indicating its original status as land,” said Ang, according to the BizBuzz report.
“Due to natural processes over time, this land had become prone to regular inundation,” Ang said.
The report quoted Ang as saying that aside from flooding, fish pond conversion and over-extraction of groundwater in areas covered by the airport project made it “more susceptible to land subsidence.”
“Instead of creating new land, we are redeveloping it to its former state, ensuring its productive and sustainable use for the future,” the billionaire said.
The vessels spotted by Pamalakaya were seen just three days after Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga announced that all 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay are suspended.
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