The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), along with environmentalists led by the Kalikasan
People’s Network for the Environment, has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the ‘immediate revocation
‘ of permits of reclamation and dredging activities off Manila Bay.
In a protest rally in front of DENR, the groups insisted that Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga stands by her statements against the
reclamation, with an immediate review of the environmental permits of reclamation and dredging projects in Manila Bay.
“What fishermen need now is that the reclamation that has been damaging our livelihood for a long time will be stopped,” said
Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya chairperson.
Aside from stopping the reclamation in Manila Bay, the companies that carried out the reclamation and the government officials who were
involved in allowing them should also be held accountable. This should be in the form of compensation to fishermen whose livelihoods have
collapsed, and long-term rehabilitation of damaged fishing grounds and coastlines.
“Above all, reclamation should be stopped not only in Manila Bay but throughout the country. There is also a reclamation plan in the
provinces of Sorsogon, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Palawan, where the community of thousands of fishermen and nature are
at risk,” said Hicap.