Earlier this month, two environmental groups, Pamalakaya and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, filed administrative charges against officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources over reclamation and dredging projects in Manila Bay they said caused widespread and “irreversible” damage to coastal communities and the marine environment.
“It is high time to formally question the legality of reclamation and dredging projects in Manila Bay,” the Pamalakaya said.
“Just because most of the projects have acquired necessary documents doesn’t mean they went through the proper process, including but not limited to public consultation and evaluation of their cumulative impacts,” the group said.
Both groups, assisted by the Community Legal Help and Public Interest Center in filing the complaint, said the projects have decimated fish populations, depleted other marine resources, increased invasive species, caused severe coastal erosion and disrupted livelihoods dependent on fishing, among others.
The two groups also sought an impact assessment report examining the combined effects of all reclamation and dredging across Manila Bay, hydrodynamic modeling studies of how the projects have altered tidal flows and currents and detailed development plans and area plans from the PRA.
But that’s one side of the story. Those involved in reclamation projects cite the benefits.
One, the Philippine economy as a whole can benefit from reclamation projects that can create new cities and townships for a growing population.
Reclamation projects, once completed, can provide additional employment to the labor force.
Businesses and industries that will locate in reclaimed land will have to pay taxes to the government and contribute to GDP growth annually.
It’s not just the economy that will benefit.
Society as a whole will also benefit in terms of a reduction in poverty levels since jobs can be made available in reclaimed land.
With the growth of the national economy, the government can raise more money to fund the education of the youth and provide better health services particularly for the poor and disadvantaged sectors.
As to the perceived environmental costs of reclamation, scientists and policy makers can work together to minimize these through innovative engineering solutions that will prevent floods, land subsidence and other environmental hazards.
The fact is that reclamation is being done in other countries with the benefits far outweighing the costs.
The Netherlands, for instance, is located below sea level but the Dutch have successfully protected themselves from flooding with the right technology.
We can perhaps draw lessons from the experiences of other countries that have managed to expand their land area through reclamation.
