Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga on Thursday said proponents of reclamation projects in Manila Bay must consider three crucial plans of flood control, traffic management, and livelihood of those who rely heavily on fishing.
At the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview over PTV4, Loyzaga said project proponents had already submitted their plans in December, adding the last to submit was the fishing sector.
She said the DENR has already been studying these plans.
She said those who had submitted failed to include in their flood plan of integration with their partner-local government units,” she said.
“(We talk about) The circulation of water from the inland to Manila Bay. Flood management is important,” she added.
The proponents must come up with effective traffic management and a solution to the fishers who would be displaced by the reclamation, she cited.
“We need to actually understand that Manila Bay is alive and that there is fishing in the area,” she said. “We have to consider everything that is put on the table by different proponents.”