Super typhoon a reason to stop bay reclamation – Atienza

MANILA, Philippines - The aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda should be enough reason for the government to reject the reclamation of Manila Bay, former Manila mayor and now Buhay party-list Rep. Joselito Atienza said yesterday.

The reclamation project would reportedly cover the entire Manila Bay waterfront along Roxas Boulevard between the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the United States embassy.

In yesterday’s first public hearing on the proposed reclamation of the Manila Bay – organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) at the Delpan Sports Complex in Tondo – Atienza voiced his opposition to the planned development.

He said that the possible worsening climate change is one of the primary reasons why they are against the reclamation project being proposed by the Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. (MGDC).

Atienza, who once served as environment secretary, pointed out that United Nations scientists warned that if people do not change their ways of reclamation and pollution, many parts of the country would be flooded by 2025.

Saying that “water will seek its own level,” Atienza warned that if portions of Manila Bay are reclaimed, the water would go inland and affect areas near the bay. This was the case with Navotas and Malabon, he said.

He said his group is willing to bring their opposition to the project to the Supreme Court.

Atienza’s son, Manila’s District 5 Councilor Arnold Atienza, submitted before the city council his proposed resolution opposing the reclamation of Manila Bay.

MGDC vice chairman Edmundo Lim defended their project, claiming that this would not worsen the flooding problems in the metropolis.

Lim said one measure is to construct a wave reflector, five feet high, so the waves would bounce back into the water even before reaching the reclaimed area.

The MGDC official added that they are even prepared to make sure that buildings would be able to survive an Intensity 8 earthquake and strong typhoons.

He said that they hope to begin the reclamation by next year.