Parañaque sets consultation on Manila Bay reclamation project

MANILA, Philippines - The Parañaque City government has set on April 29 a public consultation on the proposed 600-hectare reclamation project along the city’s Manila Bay shoreline.

At least three companies – SM Land Inc., Ayala Land and S&P Construction Technology Corp. – have offered to carry out the reclamation project, Mayor Edwin Olivarez said.

On Dec. 11, 2013, he convened the first meeting of a committee he formed to study the proposals and expressions of interest by the three firms.

“I formed the committee so that our people can be assured that all proceedings regarding the proposed reclamation projects in the city are transparent and open to the public,” the mayor said.

Olivarez said he made the move after SM Land submitted an unsolicited proposal on Sept. 11, 2013. He referred the proposal to the city council, which passed a resolution on Sept. 26, 2013 authorizing him to negotiate with SM Land to develop 200 more hectares of land in Manila Bay through a joint venture agreement.

The previous city administration had approved a proposal by SM Land to develop 100 hectares of land in the Parañaque portion of Manila Bay in 2012.

On Oct. 30, 2013, Ayala Land wrote Olivarez, expressing interest in participating in any reclamation project in the city. The firm also said it was willing to take part in a Swiss challenge, which involves matching or topping SM Land’s unsolicited proposal.

The same day, S&P also sent a letter offering to carry out a 600-hectare reclamation project.

City administrator Fernando Soriano, chairman of the committee formed to study the proposals, said its tasks include reviewing any feasibility study submitted by interested parties to determine the proposal’s economic viability and potential environmental impact, among others.

He said the Swiss challenge will be taken up by the committee only after SM Land submits a feasibility study, as stated in its unsolicited proposal.