The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Wednesday underscored the need to consider the possibility of a major earthquake or the so-called “Big One” as well as tsunamis in the reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said there is a need to observe ecological changes during the reclamation projects.
The United States Embassy in Manila earlier raised concerns over the possible environmental impact and the “ties” of a Chinese firm to the ongoing Manila Bay reclamation projects.
However, Loyzaga acknowledged the reclamation projects would be crucial in reviving the country’s economy.
The reclamation projects were approved during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“On the geological hazards: So far what we see in terms of the studies I have looked at for reclamation projects is the reference on the 7.2 movement sa West Valley Fault,” Loyzaga said.
Local seismology experts have been warning the country for the longest time of a possible major earthquake or the “Big One” along the West Valley Fault that could cause massive damages and casualties in Metro Manila.
Loyzaga said the rising sea level and various geological changes should be monitored when it comes to the said reclamation projects.
“There is what we call the Manila Trench that is located in Manila Bay. That is the geological event we are looking at in terms of the generation of a potential tsunami,” she said.
She said the DENR is also assessing the cumulative impact of the reclamation projects.
The US Embassy said they are concerned that the projects have ties to the China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC) “which has been added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea.”
US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said the company “has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices.”
“We continue to support high-quality, sustainable, and transparent investments to benefit the Filipino people and will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities on this matter,” the US official said.