No Manila Bay reclamation yet

MANILA, Philippines — The government will not allow any reclamation project in Manila Bay to proceed until President Duterte issues an executive order, Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles said yesterday.

“Status quo for now until (the President) issues a written order,” Nograles said.

He issued the statement after Duterte, in a national address on Monday night, said he is rethinking his stance against the reclamation of Manila Bay since the government needs funds to feed families affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

“Give me rice, I will approve” the projects, Duterte said in Filipino.

He said the country’s rice reserves would last only a few months and he is “ready to sell off the entire Dewey Boulevard,” referring to Roxas Boulevard, which runs along Manila Bay’s coastline.         

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