Developer to use renewable energy in Manila Bay project

MANILA, Philippines - Responding to criticisms from environmental groups, the private developer of the proposed Solar City in Manila Bay has vowed to use renewable energy in the 148-hectare reclamation project.

The Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. (MGDC) is hoping this would address environmental concerns on the controversial project.

“Our plan will integrate the latest technologies in renewable energy as well as water recycling, waste water treatment, and waste-to-energy facilities,” the firm said in a statement.

The MGDC cited environmental impact assessment studies showing there are no significant fish schools and macro-invertebrates in the area covered by the project. It also clarified that there is no informal settler population that will be displaced in the area.

The firm stressed that the project will not contribute to the ground subsidence of Manila, pointing out that experts attribute the phenomena to ground water extraction – something that will not be done on the development.

MGDC further cited that the La Liga Policy Institute identified that one major cause of flooding in Metro Manila is the denudation of the Marikina Watershed. Of the 33,000-hectare Marikina watershed, only 22 percent remains covered with trees and forest vegetation.  

P10-B revenue

The city of Manila stands to earn about P10 billion every year once the reclamation project pushes through, Edmundo Lim, MGDC vice chairman, said yesterday.

The reclamation project is being undertaken jointly by the city government of Manila and MGDC. The project was approved through an ordinance issued by the city council.

Mayor Alfredo Lim said that aside from real estate and business taxes, the reclamation project will also create 100,000 new jobs in the next six years.

Earlier, the contractor denied claims by a coalition opposing the project that the reclamation will cover the entire stretch of Roxas Blvd. from the Manila Yacht Club to the US embassy.

“It will be located at the back of the Philippine Navy and Manila Yacht Club two kilometers toward the open sea, with a frontage of less than 700 meters parallel to Roxas Boulevard,” the firm said. – Edu Punay, Sandy Araneta