WITH several reclamation projects being questioned for their environmental impact as the country continues to reel from a string of disasters, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was directed to submit in writing the updated data of the 187 reclamation projects all over the country.
The directive was given as one of the “to do” list of senators to DENR, even as they approved its 2023 budget after prolonged deliberations. See related story on page A16, “Senate grills DENR on Masungi Georeserve.”
“I just want an update on what happened to the 21 reclamation projects that were issued environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) even without proper consultation with the stakeholders. And some fisherfolks are calling the Senate for an investigation into the 187 reclamation projects,” Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said in issuing the request to DENR officials.
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, sponsor of the DENR budget, said based on the data at the DENR central office, there are 19 reclamation projects in Manila Bay, two in Cebu and two in Samar. However, the data from the regions are not included, Villar said.
Villar herself has been strongly opposing a reclamation project that she said would destroy a critical ecosystem in southern Metro Manila and cause flooding and other disastrous events.