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PRA denies Manila Bay reclamation projects caused massive flooding

Article (news)

Pia Gutierrez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dii" style="width:1321px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://news-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com/api/upload-raw/20240814120824/3c75f215a6d9666da72ee75c98cde9b193e82c403b590ac74f73dfe175b6cecb.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="Motorists are caught in standstill traffic along EDSA Munoz due to high flood waters as the typhoon Carina-enhanced habagat batters the capital region. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Motorists are caught in standstill traffic along EDSA Munoz due to high flood waters as the typhoon Carina-enhanced habagat batters the capital region. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>Officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority on Wednesday denied anew that Manila Bay reclamation projects caused massive flooding in Metro Manila recently.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/31/mmda-blames-metro-flooding-to-insufficient-drainage-system-improper-waste-management-1626">MMDA: Trash, insufficient drainage system to blame for Metro Manila floods</a></div><p>In a televised briefing, PRA Chairman Alexander Lopez said the chief of staff of Senate President Chiz Escudero already pointed out that the floods in front of the Senate was mainly caused by blocked drainage and other factors.</p><p>The Department of Public Works and Highways has also admitted it lacks a flood control master plan despite completing 5,500 flood control projects.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/1/philippines-lacks-flood-control-master-plan-dpwh-admits-1320">Philippines lacks flood control master plan, DPWH admits</a></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3064690"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p>&quot;Project Noah has also cleared the reclamation projects na walang kinalaman ang reclamation po,&quot; he said.</p><p>Lopez said the PRA is already addressing concerns by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that reclamation projects negatively affect natural waterways and slow down the flow of water.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/8/13/ph-records-255-leptospirosis-cases-in-2-weeks-after-carina-habagat-859">PH records 255 leptospirosis cases in 2 weeks after Carina, habagat</a></div><p>“We are addressing all these issues and we are working po na that the ingress and egress of all reclamation projects be cleared,” he said.</p><p>This, he said, includes the reclamation project near the iconic Sofitel Manila, which they plan to move by 470 meters.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/7/1/sofitel-closes-doors-1358">Sofitel closes doors</a></div><p>“So, magkakaroon po ng napakalaking sea-water lake in front of the Sofitel, channel lake in front of the Sofitel to the new reclamation and we will have two iconic bridges that will connect this. So, 470 meters po,” he said.</p><p>Joseph John Literal, PRA assistant general manager for reclamation, said government will now do island reclamations instead of reclamation projects connected to land based on flood studies and hydrodynamic modeling.</p><p>“Dati po kasi, kung mapapansin ninyo iyong mga reclamation natin, nakadikit po sa lupa. Then to address iyong climate change at saka iyong iba nang dami ng rainfall, so sa naging result po ng flooding study and hydrodynamic modelling is to have wider channels doon sa mga reclamation projects. And ang result po, more than the wider channels, it’s better to have island reclamations than reclamations that are connected, extending to the land,&quot; he said.</p><p>Lopez said these are currently under review given the order of President Marcos Jr to suspend all reclamation projects pending the thorough evaluation and review of all the government agencies.</p><p>“So, mahigpit po ang Presidente natin. I cannot say he is averse to reclamation, he is just being very careful,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/25/14-dead-due-to-habagat-carina-butchoy-ndrrmc-933">21 dead due to habagat, Carina: PNP</a></div><p>Lopez said while the country stands to earn trillions of pesos in revenues from these reclamation projects, the government is still looking at the possible impact on some sectors that will be socially and economically affected if such projects push through.</p><p>“But of course the President wants also that iyong mga maaapektuhan po pansamantala, because these will have—although us, sa paningin namin, ay marami po ang makikinabang sa reclamation, pero ang maapektuhan po, the impact might be permanent on their social and economic life. At ayaw po ng Pangulo na may maapektuhan na permanently. Kaya tinitingnan po namin na maigi at masusing pag-aaral lahat ng naaapektuhan, iyong tunay pong naaapektuhan,” he said.</p><p>The PRA officials said they are currently coordinating with the Anti-Poverty Commission and the Presidential Adviser on Poverty for a social development management plan for their reclamation and dredging projects.</p><p>“Lahat po itong project na ito may mga kondisyones po ang pamahalaan. We are required to come up with a social development management plan for both our dredging activity and also the reclamation. So, iyong mga pondo na kinakailangan naming ibuhos dito, iyon po iyong sinasabi nating napupunta sa fisherfolk na pupunta sa directly impacted communities and also sa mga informal settlers,” Lopez said.</p>

<p>Officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority on Wednesday denied anew that Manila Bay reclamation projects have caused massive flooding in Metro Manila.</p>

Officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority on Wednesday denied anew that Manila Bay reclamation projects have caused massive flooding in Metro Manila.