Aside from the impact of reclamation, groups also decried the damages the recent oil spill inflicted on the environment and the lives of the coastal communities, saying that both Marcos Jr. and tycoon Ramon Ang should be held accountable.
It is projected that almost 46,000 fisherfolk will be affected by the oil spill if left uncontrolled, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, and Region 4-A. Currently, Pambansang Lakas ng Mamamalakaya (PAMALAKAYA) reported that 29,000 fisherfolk from Cavite alone, were at risk, while 9,000 fisherfolk in Bataan.
Juan is just one out of many fisherfolk unable to make a living from the sight that greets them in the morning and lulls them at night. When reclamation started in Manila Bay and in Bulacan Aerotropolis, it meant finding source material for dumping, and there is no need to look farther than Cavite whose coasts are rich in black sand. High in iron content, the black sand can be used for concrete and asphalt production—a vital ingredient for built infrastructure.
Despite the filing of a perjury case against Jhed and Jonila, they continue standing with the poor whose lives would be put in peril with the reclamation of Manila Bay.
“Clearly the Marcos Jr. administration is failing to uphold the 2008-Supreme Court mandamus seeking various government agencies to clean-up, restore, and rehabilitate Manila Bay in the context of recreational use and fishery resources development.”
By KELVIN S. RODOLFO, PhD* Note: Over two months have passed since the verbal announcement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the suspension of reclamation activities in Manila Bay. However, no clear guidelines have been released yet. Reclamation activities such as seabed quarrying continue in Manila Bay. Bulatlat.com What can be done with these atrocities…
“Over the years, the DENR has been complicit with big corporations involved in reclamation and other forms of conversion in Manila Bay, putting the livelihood and other socio-economic rights of fishers at stake.”
For many years, scientists and environmental advocates have cautioned the government against approving more proposals for land reclamation and coastal development projects in Manila Bay. The historic bay, they emphasize, is unsuitable for such projects because of the risks posed by floods, intensified typhoon-induced storm surges and other related consequences.
Pamalakaya said the government is temporarily halting the implementation. The fisherfolk group attributed this to the strong public outcry, as livelihoods and income of thousands of small fisherfolk and coastal residents from Noveleta, Kawit, Cavite City, and Bacoor City are threatened.
The coastal monitoring initiative has exposed the worsening levels of pollution in Manila Bay which no white sand can ever cover-up.
“Useless and a waste of people’s fund.”