Kinumpirma ng Department of Enviroment and Natural Resources (DENR) na suspendido ang lahat ng 22 reclamation projects sa Manila Bay.
“We are here at that point where the President has then issued the suspension of reclamation projects in Manila Bay really to look into, number one, the environmental impacts, (and) also the social impacts of these activities,” —Secretary Loyzaga.
Sa press briefing sa Malacañang, sinabi ni DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo – Loyzaga na hawak na niya ang suspension order para dito.
“We have to take our time, really, beginning with those that are ongoing, because they are, in fact, already impacting the areas. And then, we will graduate to those that are in fact, still not yet begun,” —Secretary Loyzaga.
Sumasailalim aniya sa review ang mga proyektong ito, at mabusisi nilang aaralin ang compliance ng mga ito, maging ang environmental at social impact.
“We intend to provide a program of work, once they have all met together. Hindi lang po ito simple. Community Impact Assessment involves drivers; it involves feedback and it involves many different disciplines,” —Secretary Loyzaga.
Sabi ng kalihim, sa oras na matapos na ang ginagawang review at kakitaan ng paglabag ang mga ito, sasailalim ito sa due process, kung saan bibigyan sila ng pagkakataon na itama ang mga nakitang paglabag.
“We need to take into consideration the geological risk As you know, there have been many discussions on the Big One. I mentioned the last time when I was here, I think, hindi lang po ang Big One sa West Valley Fault, may Manila trench scenario rin ang PHIVOLCS at iyon po and for me, what needs to be taken into consideration in the long term, but also in the very medium term, because we may in fact have an event that would impact everything that is built around the bay region.” —Secretary Loyzaga.
Sa oras na hindi pa rin mag-comply ang mga ito, sususpidihin na rin ang ibinigay na Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC).
“There is due process here ‘no. So they will be given, of course, a period within which they may be able to correct, however …and the guidance as to what can be done or not done during that period. And if they do not comply, it’s possible for, of course, the ECCs to be suspended.” —Secretary Loyzaga.
| ulat ni Racquel Bayan
