MANILA, Philippines- Inihayag ni Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga na inaasahang malapit nang matapos ang pagbusisi nga ahensya sa 22 reclamation projects sa Manila Bay.
Kasunod ang review ng utos ni Pangulong Marcos noong Mayo na suspendihin ang lahat ng reclamation projects sa Manila Bay sa gitna ng pangamba sa epekto nito sa kalikasan.
“Malapit na, may development,” pahayag ni Loyzaga nang tanungin ukol sa review sa ambush interview nitong Biyernes.
Subalit, hindi idinetalye ni Loyzaga ang Manila Bay reclamation projects na binubusisi nila.
Hinikayat ng ilang Several environmental groups ang DENR na itigil ang reclamation efforts sa Manila Bay, dahil umano sa potensyal na pangmatagalang epekto ng reklamasyon sa kapaligiran.
“It is clear that these (reclamation) projects have already started, and resulted in an alarming degradation of the environment destroying the mangroves, denying fisherfolk of their fishing livelihood and sources of food, and the destruction of seagrass and the seabed by dredging, thus impeding better habitats and spawning grounds of fisheries resources. This is simply unjust and unacceptable,” giit ng international environmental group Oceana.
Inihirit din ng fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) sa environment department na ipatigil ang rye reclamation projects sa Manila Bay. Anito, ito ang nagdudulot ng pagbaha sa metropolis.
Batay sa findings ng findings geological experts, sinabi ni Pamalakaya Chairperson Fernando Hicap na sila ay “certain that these reclamation projects worsened the flooding in the northern part of Manila Bay.”
“It can be recalled that it was no less than the renowned geologist Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo who raised the geophysical hazards of specific reclamation projects in Manila Bay,” aniya.
“Dr. Rodolfo has identified three geological hazards of reclamation that are relevant to the country’s situation; namely, the danger of land subsidence, danger of storm surge and strong waves caused by typhoons, and danger from seismically induced liquefaction.” RNT/SA
