Senator Cynthia Villar has warned about the potential consequences of the ongoing Manila Bay reclamation project. She has stated that the reclamation efforts could result in a significant six to eight-meter flood in Las Piñas City and surrounding areas.
“Like the experience of Las Piñas, mayroon po kaming apat na river dito sa Las Piñas, Parañaque, Bacoor—Molino, Zapote, Las Piñas, Parañaque. ‘Pag itinuloy po ang reclamation in our part of Manila Bay, wala pong lalabasan ‘yung tubig ng ating apat na river at prinedict na po na babaha kami ng six to eight meters. Ang six meters po is three-story building,” Villar said.
Villar, the chair of the Senate environment and natural resources committee, mentioned their opposition to this since 2010.
“Simula pa noong 2010, lumalaban na kami sa reclamation kasi ayaw po naming bumaha ang lugar namin. Kasi ‘yang reclamation, pag nagawa na ‘yan, paano natin tatanggalin ‘yan? Di na natin matatanggal kaya bago mangyari dapat lalabanan na natin,” she explained.
The senator mentioned that she had already discussed this matter with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
Manila Bay reclamation project to trigger flooding in Las Piñas – Villar
“Nu’ng una, lumapit ako kay President at t’yaka kay Secretary Loyzaga. Pinakita ko ‘yung mapa ng proposed reclamation in our part of Manila Bay,” she said.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila na kami ay legislated protected area. We are entitled to a buffer zone of three kilometers provided for by the DENR. Kaya kailangan ‘wag mag-reclamation don sa three-kilometer buffer zone namin,” she said.
“Kung ganito po ang nangyayari na ‘di na lang ako ang nagko-complain, marami nang nagko-complain, I guess we have to prepare for a public hearing,” Villar added.
Regarding the connections between Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s family and the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, Villar mentioned that she hasn’t discussed this matter with her colleague, considering it a personal issue.
“Hindi ko naman kinakausap kasi personal n’ya ‘yan, baka sabihin nila pinepersonal ko sila. Ako naman protection ng cities around Manila Bay, ‘yun naman ang habol ko,” she said.
“Kami developer din kami. ‘Di kami nagre-reclaim madali naman bumili ng lupa, maraming lupa sa Pilipinas. Bakit tatabunan ang dagat para magkalupa?” she added.
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