Overpopulation and land shortage are the usual reasons for reclamation projects, but in the case of Manila Bay, it seems this is not the case. At least, that is what opposing groups are loudly claiming.
Reclamation in Manila Bay has long been countered by green groups for the “irreversible environmental degradation” it will allegedly cause.
They say it will also affect the livelihood of local residents living around the bay area, which covers a massive “199,400 hectares, with a coastline that runs through Cavite, Parañaque, Pasay, Manila, Malabon, Navotas, Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan provinces,” according to Oceana Philippines.
The non-governmental organization has staunchly opposed so-called dump-and-fill projects along Manila Bay, of which the Philippine Reclamation Authority says there are 23.
“Manila Bay has been a witness to battles that changed the course of our country’s history. Now, it is battling an environmental war within our waters against these dump-and-fill projects hiding behind the promise of livelihood opportunities and development for these projects. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization describes land reclamation as ‘an irreversible form of environmental degradation,’” Oceana Philippines states on its website.
On the other hand, the positive aspects of reclamation projects cannot be denied. Places we now treasure, such as the Cultural Center Complex, Mall of Asia Complex, and the Entertainment City, bring commerce, culture, and progress into our midst.
Proposed mega-projects, meanwhile, include “the 148-hectare Solar City in Manila, the 50-hectare extension of Manila North Harbor and a 600-hectare infrastructure project, a public-private partnership initiative…,” a report says.
These should provide significant opportunities for employment and recreation, as well as the conveniences and prestige enjoyed by modern cities today.
While it is easy to vilify reclamation in general as the last thing we need in an age of increased environmental awareness, science and technology could offer solutions to worries about harm and degradation.
Why else would other countries — including Holland, Denmark, Singapore, Japan, and the UAE continue to reclaim land even against protests on its impact on sustainability?
Dr. Juan Savioli, head of DHI Water and Environment Malaysia’s coastal and marine department, in an article online, explained how it can be possible to reclaim land while addressing sustainability concerns.
“Yes,” he said, “it can be done safely and with minimal and even positive impact if appropriate site selection, master planning, and support studies are carried out. These should include detailed assessment of social and economic, environmental and physical aspects.”
He also notes, “In many cases, the skepticism about reclamation projects stems from lack of understanding on how reclamation development is carried out. There have been instances when design plans and environmental recommendations could have been improved by including proper stakeholder engagement, for example to result in more successful projects and a better balance of environmental and social impacts.”
In some cases, questions with respect to the environmental impact and livelihood of fishermen and other stakeholders remain after environmental studies have been carried out and approved.
This is due to lack of sufficiently comprehensive baseline data collection, which addresses existing activities, the underlying resources, and their ecosystem services.
It is therefore important that a proper masterplan and assessment of the reclamation development is performed to avoid these issues.
In other words, proper master planning and implementation preferably devoid of political color can make our reclamation goals work for the country in the best possible way. And President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to suspend all but one of the reclamation projects due to concerns raised by various sectors is the logical step to take.
At a time of “automation, artificial intelligence, climate crisis, and climate-related migration, virtual reality and augmented reality, China’s rising power, cryptocurrencies, Zoom, remote work and people agitating for their rights,” as one trend forecaster enumerates, it’s not impossible to imagine a world where change is embraced and the past is still honored all in light of a future in which all living creatures not just survive, but thrive.