House committee to probe reclamation projects

LUCENA CITY, Philippines  – The House committee on natural resources chaired by Rep. Francisco Matugas is set to investigate the impact of various reclamation projects on small fisherfolk.

The inquiry is in response to three House resolutions filed by Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano, based on information provided by fisherfolk associations under the militant group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya).

In one of the resolutions, Pamalakaya revealed that 38 reclamation projects involving 26,234 hectares are being planned within Manila Bay spanning the coastal areas of Cavite, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan. 

Reclamation projects are also supposedly being planned on Panglao Island in Bohol, and the Davao Gulf.