A property developer controlled by the F.F. Cruz Construction Group on Tuesday questioned the decision of the Philippine Reclamation Authority to allow Waterfront Manila Premier Development Inc. to defer the payment of fees and start the mobilization of its reclamation project in Manila Bay.
Asian Seas Resources and Construction Development Corp., through legal counsel Jose Bernas, said in a letter to Joseph John Literal, assistant general manager of PRA’s Reclamation and Regulation Office dated Aug. 23 that the agency’s board members, who were on an “acting capacity, do not have the authority to issue the approvals of WMPDIs request.”
Asserco said Literal, as assistant general manager, does “not have the authority to issue such approvals.”
The PRA earlier approved the request of WMPD to defer the payment of regulatory fees and start the mobilization of its P34.3-billion reclamation and horizontal development of 318 hectares along Manila Bay after a Makati court issued the greenlight to the project.
Asserco said the awarded project to Waterfront overlapped the former’s project award issued in 1991 by PRA.
Asserco said the conditions set in the memorandum from the Executive Secretary issued to the chairman and general manager of the PRA dated Nov. 23, 2021 for mobilization and reclamation “has not been ensured.”
Sought for comment, WMPDI counsel Ma. Julieta Santos said the reclamation project complied with the requirements of the PRA and the City of Manila.
“Atty. Literal is the AGM of PRA and did not approve the project in his personal capacity. It was the PRA which issued the notice to proceed and notice to mobilize to the city of Manila,” she said.
“Manila also issued its NTP knowing that the project is beneficial to the city and the Filipino people at no cost to the government. Government has a 51 percent share in the project once there is reclaimed land,” Santos added.
PRA representatives were unavailable for comments as of press time.
Asserco said it would seek injunctive relief to restrain the reclamation project, which was not allegedly preceded by a public bidding or the necessary approval by the National Economic and Development Authority.
Asserco also asked PRA a copy of the minutes of the board meetings and OGCC opinion in approving the requests of Waterfront to mobilize and reclaim, and compliance with the conditions imposed by the memorandum of the Executive Secretary dated Nov. 21, 2021.
The company assured PRA it was not abandoning its position and claim and that it “has a vested right in the Northern Parcel of the MCCRRP-North reclamation project which was illegally and constructively revoked by the PRA by permitting Waterfront to reclaim in the same area.”
Asserco earlier filed a motion for reconsideration with the Makati regional trial court on Aug. 22 to reverse its Aug. 4 ruling allowing the joint venture deal of WMPDC with PRA and the City of Manila for the reclamation project in Manila Bay.