HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has sought a congressional inquiry into the proliferation of reclamation projects in the country and their impacts on communities and the environment.
In her House Resolution (HR) 574, De Lima wanted a probe of existing reclamation projects, starting with those at the Manila Bay, and determine the accuracy of government data, evaluate compliance with environmental laws, and assess their socioeconomic impact on affected communities.
“In view of the permits secured by the various reclamation projects in Manila Bay despite documented community-based concerns and science-based assessments pointing to their negative impacts on the environment and neighboring communities, there is a need to assess all reclamation projects in the country to determine the validity of their process of securing the necessary permits and to ensure that their negative impacts have been assessed and considered thoroughly,” the resolution read.
De Lima pointed out that governance structure for reclamation involves multiple agencies with overlapping mandates, including the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Local Government Units (LGUs), and the Office of the President, “resulting in confusion, gaps in accountability, and inconsistent enforcement.”
