Resumption of Manila Bay reclamation projects pushed
PRESIDENTIAL Adviser for Anti-Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon and an employers group called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to let go Metro Manila’s reclamation projects that guarantee job generations.
“I am only concerned with job generations. The Marcos Administration is aware that the best solution to poverty alleviation is job generation, hence the passage of the ”Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act. Aside from the job generation, I believe it is important that there will be new tax sources and government propriety income to sustain social benefit,” he said during the Partners’ Forum held at the Quezon City Sports Club Friday.
Gadon was joined by Sergio Ortiz, business group leader and president of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with other labor heads from the government and private sectors in calling the DENR to come with clear policy on the reclamation projects at the Manila waterfront.
While he expressed support President Marcos’ decision to suspend the 22 reclamation projects around the country, the poverty alleviation Secretary said that the strict compliance by the proponents of the two reclamation projects “will ensure sustainability of the benefits that will be derived from the projects.”
The projects were ordered suspended by the Chief Executive due to alleged violations divulged by the DENR.
For his part, Ortiz said that DENR is harping on “potential violations” giving the country an estimated P40 million losses every day over the stalled two projects in the metropolis bay particularly in Pasay City area which were planned in 2017.
“Malaki ang magiging benefits dito, stalling it will derail economic growth (from these projects), he stressed as he cited a study conducted by Architech Palafox which states that these projects may serve as barrier for tsunamis.
The Amorsolo Competente, Lakas Manggagawa Labor Center representing workers from the private sector said that the two projects will not only benefit hundreds but thousands of Filipino workers.
“Reclamation is not bad. Singapore and Tell Aviv sea fronts are reclaimed areas. Even the critics there, are now also benefitting from that reclamation projects,” Competente said.
Christopher Bautista, president of the Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa GOCC at GFIs (Government Owned and Controlled Corporations, Government Financial Institutions) cited the Philippine Reclamation Authority which “already pronounced that the Pasay reclamation projects are compliant.”
