$397-B RECLAMATION PROJECT, TULOY NA BA?

IBINALITA ng Gulf News ang multi-billion mega projects na isasagawa sa mga land reclamation areas ng bansa. Sabi ng Gulf News — The skyline of the Philippine Capital is changing. Multi-billion dollar mega projects are expanding the urban landscape, with massive sea-ward transformation projects in progress – or on the drawing board.

At paano ito magagawa? Push the sea back, create new spaces and opportunities. Manila Bay is the centre of this action.

Ipatutupad ito ng isang ahensya sa ilalim ng Office of the President, ang Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) na pinangungunahan ni Chairman of the Board, Atty. Alexander Lopez.

Sa nasabing reclaimed land, gagawa ng second international airport sa Bulacan, ang $15-B Bulacan Aerotropolis.

Tutol ang ilang environmental groups sa Manila Bay Reclamation Projects dahil sa ilang “maritime and environmental concerns,” ngunit ayon kay PRA Asst. Manager Joseph Literal, ang mga reclamation projects ay sumailalim sa metikulosong environmental evaluations, kaugnay ang Climate change impacts, geological analyses at holistic ecological ramifications.

Nirereview rin ng DENR ang mga reclamation projects. Dinipensahan din ni Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda at itinulak niya ang “responsible reclamation” o “Manila Bay Reclamation Projects na magsisilbing fiscal lifeline ng national economy.”

Sinang-ayunan ni PRA Chairman Alex Lopez si House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Joey Salceda sa kanyang science-based recommendations higgil sa land reclamation projects sa Manila Bay. Batay umano ito sa holistic approach ni President Bong Bong Marcos kung saan “they will prioritize addressing environmental, social and other pertinent issues before advancing with reclamation projects. (Atty. Ariel Inton)