Manila reclamation projects will not affect environment

February 4, 2019

Manila City Administrator Ericson Alcovendaz assured on Monday that reclamation projects proposed by the city will not have any negative impact on the environment, contrary to criticisms. 

"When the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) issued an environment compliance certificate (ECC), it means they have already studied it. One certification that they give is that the project will not cause negative environment impact," Alcovendaz told reporters on the sidelines of the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Manila.

“So the fears of the citizens that there might be flooding and uncontrolled heavy traffic due to reclamation might not happen when the DENR issues an ECC,” he added.

Alcovendaz said Manila has submitted five proposals to DENR, of which two were given environment compliance certificates. He did not say what these projects were.

He added that projects will generate more jobs and create more benefits for the citizens of Manila City.

An example of these benefits is the increase of birthday allowance of senior citizens from 500 pesos to possibly 5,000 pesos. They will get free maintenance medicine once projects are approved and implemented.

“The youth will receive education until college. The health care services will also improve. This will certainly generate employment. Because when an additional land is added, there will be more business and it will increase the employment.” Alcovendaz said.

“We might no longer rely on the national government when it comes to the housing projects for the poor. It will come from the projects’ budget,” he added.

The reclamation projects will affect people living in slum areas near the proposed project sites but  Alcovendaz said they are planning to relocate them.

“Well, we will relocate them and we will provide housing for them,” the city administrator said.

For now, he explained they have not yet found a relocation site.

“We are still waiting for an advice on the availability of relocation sites. Erap (Mayor Joseph Estrada's nickname) has contacted the necessary social operations. He also explained to people that sooner or later they might be relocated,” Alcovendaz told the Daily Manila Shimbun in an interview.

He said among the relocation sites being looked at are Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS