Envi groups demand cancellation of Manila Bay reclamation projects

Environmental groups demanded today the cancellation of all Manila Bay reclamation projects following the results of the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) commissioned by the current Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which concluded that reclamation would bring about flooding, public health risk, biodiversity loss and fisheries decline, among others.

Oceana Acting Vice President Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio said the most logical step is for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stop all reclamation projects, not only in Metro Manila but in different parts of the country to avoid the devastating impacts on the environment and the coastal communities. “Given the overwhelming evidence, the DENR should immediately cancel all Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) and the permits issued by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to these destructive projects, both proposed and ongoing, including the San Miguel Aerocity in Bulakan, Bulacan.”

Bernie Larin, campaign officer of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) added that “Clearly the DENR must be held accountable for these highly irregular and objectionable approvals. The ECC review should have been done before the issuance of the reclamation permits, precisely to ensure environmental protection and public safety. Why then did the previous DENR issue the ECCs and approve the permits for the projects before an impact assessment was determined?”

In response to the CIA results, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga earlier said the DENR would review the Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) of the Manila Bay reclamation projects, and determine whether these should be revised or amended to address the results of the CIA. The process would involve consultations with the Philippine Reclamation Authority, local government units and stakeholders for the possible modification of the ECCs.

“Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga must not legitimize the reckless approvals of the previous DENR. The next step is not to modify the ECCs but to absolutely cancel them as they should not have been issued in the first place,” said Atty. Osorio.  

“When the PBBM administration suspended the Manila Bay reclamation projects, the DENR should have exercised its institutional accountability and cancelled the permits. And now that the CIA results are out, the agency has completely no reason not to cancel the permits,” said Bishop Gerry Alminaza, Bishop-Champion for Ecology and Vice-President of Caritas Philippines.

The groups further called on President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. and the PRA to declare the permits issued to the projects as null and avoid. “This means, all Manila Bay reclamation projects must permanently cease,” said Bishop Alminaza.

“We further call on the public to put forward to their respective LGUs the impact of the projects on their communities in order to fully stop the implementation of ongoing projects and prevent future ones,” said Bishop Alminaza.

“These are not just environmental issues—they are governance failures and human rights threats. Tens of thousands of coastal residents stand to lose their homes, livelihoods, and protection from climate impacts,” added Bishop Alminaza. “We urge the public to demand accountability and push their local governments to withdraw support for reclamation.”

The Zambales Ecological Network, Inc. (ZEN) says that the CIA results  confirms what coastal communities and environmental groups have long warned: large-scale seabed dredging to supply reclamation materials is causing widespread environmental degradation manifested by massive coastal erosion and decrease of marine and river biodiversity, declining fish catch in municipal waters impacting food security,  livelihood loss, and rising  tensions and reports of intimidation against environmental defenders and community leaders.

“The CIA is a wake-up call—not just for policy makers, but for every Filipino concerned about food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience,” said Haide Fernandez, ZEN spokesperson. “Our communities are bearing the brunt of the destruction caused by the insatiable demand for reclamation materials. Enough is enough.”

The coalition is calling for:

- Immediate cancellation of all ECCs and permits related to reclamation in Manila Bay;

- A moratorium on future reclamation proposals;

- Legal accountability for government officials who approved projects despite scientific warnings;

- Investment in ecosystem-based coastal protection instead of destructive infrastructure.

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