"All reclamation projects in Manila Bay should be suspended, and the Supreme Court Continuing Mandamus should be fully implemented. The reclamation projects and even the dolomite beach are in fact in gross violation of this mandamus. Those who are involved in the issuing of ECC and allowing the initial proceeding of reclamation should be made accountable." - David D'Angelo, Boses Ng Kalikasan
[This is a Press Release from the People's Network for the Integrity of Coastal Habitats and Ecosystems]
Hundreds form ‘human chain’ to call for full suspension of Manila Bay reclamation
Hundreds trooped to Roxas Boulevard last October 18 to participate in a ‘human chain’ calling for a full suspension of reclamation projects in Manila Bay. Advocates from the two big networks, People’s Network for the Integrity of Coastal Habitats and Ecosystems (People’s NICHE) and the Church-CSO Empowerment for Ecological Sustainability (Eco-Convergence), joined forces to call for an immediate and full suspension of reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
"Two months have slipped by since President Marcos Jr. boldly proclaimed the suspension of all reclamation activities in Manila Bay. However, no actual legislation or clear legal guidelines have come about, and coastal communities across the bay area and beyond are still in jeopardy," said Jonila Castro from AKAP KA Manila Bay.
Dubbed "Save Our Sunset, Save Manila Bay," the protest action was held to urge President Marcos Jr. to fortify his reclamation project suspension by issuing an executive order. Fisherfolk, community organizations, religious groups, environmentalists, lawyers, and scientists participated in the activity.
Jhed Tamano, another anti-reclamation advocate, also noted that “state-sponsored violence in coastal areas is often aimed to silence communities and people who dare to oppose reclamation projects, standing up against the ecological and community threats they pose.” Tamano and Castro were abducted on September 2 in Orion, Bataan, while they were conducting consultations with fisherfolk last.
“More than just looking at the numbers, these are actual productive marine and aquatic ecosystems that will be destroyed by reclamation activities. Fisherfolk stand to lose up to 90 percent of their incomes, and thousands will be displaced from coastal areas for these projects,” said Fernando ‘Ka Pando’ Hicap, national chairperson of PAMALAKAYA, a national federation of fisherfolk.
Instead of reclamation, the groups called for the “genuine rehabilitation” of Manila Bay, which includes “restoring ecosystems and providing support for fisherfolk communities.” For religious groups such as the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’ encyclical is a reminder that “our duty to protect the environment is intertwined with our moral responsibility to safeguard the well-being of present and future generations, underscoring the interconnectedness of all life in our common home.”
“Any potential revenue from non-existent projects is overshadowed by the profound ecological and economic impacts of mangrove destruction and soil dumping in valuable coastal areas,” said Cleng Julve, advocacy officer of the science advocacy group AGHAM. “No matter how many billions of pesos in investments and profit are promised by reclamation proponents, the question remains: who will benefit, and who will be left behind?” ##
People’s NICHE is a nationwide alliance of civil society groups and community organizations. It is composed of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, PAMALAKAYA, Oceana, Center for Environmental Concerns Philippines, AGHAM Advocates for Science and Technology for the People, AKAP Ka Manila Bay, Nilad Metro Manila Environmental Network, Youth Advocate for Climate Action Philippines, Save Gubat Bay Movement, UP Fisheries Guild, One Pawikan, Council for People’s Development and Governance, Community Empowerment Resource Network, and Climate Change Network for Community-Based Initiatives.
Eco-Convergence comprises Caritas Philippine and the Social Action Network, Laudato Si Movement Pilipinas, Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc., Living Laudato Si Philippines, Center for Energy, Ecology and Development, Alyansa Tigil Mina, and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice.
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