Talks with civic groups on Manila Bay reclamation continue – DENR
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) vowed to continue having consultations with leaders and groups expressing opposition to the reclamation of Manila Bay.
According to Secretary Antonia Loyzaga, next in the schedule to meet will be representatives of academic institutions, experts, advocates and other civil society groups.
The DENR last week met sector representatives as part of the Department’s continuous policy review and outreach to stakeholders on environmentally critical issues about the Manila Bay reclamation project.
Among those who attended were Fernando Hicap, President of Pamalakaya (National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organization in the Philippines); Narod Eco, member of AGHAM (Advocates of Science and Technology for the People) and former researcher at the University of the Philippines’ National Institute of Geological Sciences.
During the meeting, Loyzaga promised to review everything – from policies and processes to immediate actions that need to be taken in order to address this environmental issue.
Loyzaga shared that the DENR is building a constituency for resilient development through continuous consultation.
She said an Experts Forum on Reclamation is scheduled in May.
