The Senate is looking into the impacts of reclamation activities on coastal and marine ecosystems and communities, and the permitting process for these projects after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
Sen. Cynthia Villar, who heads the panel on environment, natural resources and climate change, said that there must be legislation that effectively regulates reclamation activities and ensures that these projects are “not arbitrary or capricious.”
Meanwhile, the role of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is to issue an environmental compliance certificate and an area clearance. “The current practice now is that… all protected areas must be indicated in the application for ECC and mitigating measures must be undertaken in terms of possible impacts to protected areas,” Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said.
“All of these obstructions and sand that have been put around the bay are hazards. They don’t have any kind of lighting. They don’t have any kind of warnings,” Tronqued said. Esteban Peña Sy, who owns Sofitel Philippine Plaza, said the five-star accommodation is also a “victim of pollution and flooding” caused by reclamation activities in Manila Bay.
Yulo-Loyzaga said the environment department is finalizing an agreement with scientists from the University of the Philippine Marine Science Institute and the Manila Observatory for the conduct of the cumulative impact assessment. The review is expected to be completed in at least one year.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Magna carta for seafarers certified as urgentIn a letter to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri Monday, Marcos emphasized the need for the swift passage of Senate Bill 2221 titled “An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.”
Read more »
Senate OKs bill giving DTI chief power to take down online sellers, e-commerce websitesThe bill arms the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) secretary with the power to issue takedown orders on websites, webpages, online applications, social media accounts or 'other similar platforms' found engaging in or abetting illegal online transactions.
Read more »
Senate approves New Passport bill as Bong Go highlights importance of modernizing PHL passport system • BusinessMirrorSenator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his gratitude for the unanimous approval of Senate Bill No. 2001, also known as the New Philippine Passport Act. The bill was approved during the third and final reading on Monday, September 25, with 20 affirmative votes, zero negative vote, and zero abstention. Go, who co-authored and co-sponsored the bill,
Read more »
With shutdown looming, US Senate offers short-term budget fixWASHINGTON, United States -- The US Senate drafted a last-ditch short-term budget proposal Tuesday as time was running out on Congress to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Read more »
COA’s P13.36 billion 2024 budget breezes through Senate panelThe NEP’s proposed budget for COA is lower by P800 million to COA’s original proposal of P14.166 billion.
Read more »
Senate panel asks how reclamation projects get approvedThe process was questioned by lawmakers in light of the approval of overlapping projects and its effects on businesses in Manila Bay
Read more »