ASEAN body probes impact reclamation projects in the Philippies' coastal and marine resources during an oral hearing in Quezon City, October 26, 2024. Harlene Delgado, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) has opened an inquiry in the Philippines to assess the impact of reclamation projects and other environmental challenges in local communities and marine resources. 

The probe is part of the International Parliamentary Inquiry of the APHR, composed of former and current parliamentarians across Southeast Asia.

Rep. Arlene Brosas, chair of the APHR inquiry panel and member of the APHR board, said the inquiry aims to recommend policy reforms by pinpointing industry activities that cause most detrimental impacts to the environment.

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“Now, we are focusing on reclamations because they have significant and often irreversible impacts on the environment and local communities,” Brosas said.

“Reclamation projects often contribute to increased coastal erosion, flooding risks and pollution, which affect both environmental stability and human well-being,” the lawmaker added. 

A panel composed of 5 permanent members held an oral hearing on Saturday, Oct. 26, where various groups testified their concerns on reclamation projects in the country. 

International environmental group Oceana lamented the effects of the Manila Bay reclamation and the proposed New Manila International Airport which the group both challenged before the Supreme Court. 

Joyce Sierra, Communications Manager of Oceana said they want the government and other local officials responsible for allowing the projects to be held accountable. 

They raised in the petition the displacement of fisherfolk in Bulacan and the alleged violations of the government’s own policies in protecting mangroves and other environmental laws. 

“Unfortunately, this was dismissed by the Supreme Court but Oceana continued in campaigning along with some of the groups here on the projects that continue to be implemented even without the necessary consultation, participation of the people on the decision making,” Sierra noted. 

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Other groups also expressed alarm on the alleged harassment and red-tagging of environmental activists and local communities. 

They also raised claims of lack of consultation and inadequate compensation and support to affected coastal communities. 

“Our experience (is) that PAMALAKAYA is lead to dialogue (with) the government agency para pag-usapan at humingi ng mga data sa mga plano ng reclamation, for example DENR, hindi tinutugunan, binabalewala, at sinasabi nilang walang planong ganun, “ said Fernando Hicap, National Chairperson of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA). 

“We therefore see the reality that reclamation projects in the country pose a direct threat to the people’s right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” said Riza Fausto, Deputy Projects and Extension Officer of AGHAM - Advocates of Science and Technology for the People. 

Government representatives were also present in the oral hearing, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, its Environmental Management Bureau. as well as the Commission on Human Rights. 

Brosas said the findings of the inquiry will be finalized in a report detailing the suggested action plans to governments, parliaments, business industries and other stakeholders to mitigate further environment degradation. 

Aside from the Philippines, the body will also conduct oral hearings in Indonesia and Malaysia. 

The APHR noted that the outcome report will be part of the submissions to the 29th Conference of Parties (COP 29) of the UN Climate Change Conference to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November.