The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has initiated an inspection of dredging vessels located in reclamation sites in Pasay City to check the status of foreigners working on the project.
The environment group Oceana meanwhile urged the government to end reclamation activities in Manila Bay and not just suspend it, citing long-term damage to the environment. The group also said, “it would be a lot of help to everyone if all these projects were stopped.”
The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) said only three ongoing projects are affected by the suspension of all 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
According to the PRA, maps provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources show the three ongoing reclamation projects are Harbour City in Pasay, with 265 hectares of land allocated for institutions, condominiums, and hotels; a 390-hectare joint venture between the city and SM Prime Holdings; and the 318-hectare Manila Waterfront City project near the United States Embassy.
The PRA said most of the reclamation projects are still under “various stages of compliance,” adding that the agency received the presidential directive suspending the reclamation projects.
The PRA said it has served suspension notices to the local governments of Metro Manila cities of Navotas, Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas; as well as Bacoor City, and Cavite province.
The BI inspection meanwhile was done with the Philippine Coast Guard and was conducted by officers of the BI’s Bay Service Section and Intelligence Division.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco earlier ordered BI personnel to inspect the said vessels, following concerns on their activities in the area.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. earlier ordered the suspension of reclamation activities in Manila Bay. The Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) likewise pledged to conduct community impact assessment to ensure that the reclamation will be implemented within the bounds of the law.
The inspection, said Tansingco, will be conducted to ensure that foreign nationals involved in the project are compliant with immigration laws.
He stated that foreign nationals that conduct commercial activities in the Philippines are required to secure a work visa or permit.
Tansingco shared that as of Friday, the composite team were able to board and inspect three vessels namely MV Mao Hua with 14 Chinese nationals and 8 Filipino crew, MV Liang Longj with 17 Chinese nationals and 2 Filipino crew, and MV Jun Hai 5, with 28 Chinese crew.
He stated that the inspections will continue in the next few days to ensure full compliance with immigration laws.