PAMALAKAYA slams DENR’s environmental permit to Bacoor reclamation
Manila, Philippines — “Like a thief in the night. While the country is focused on containing the spread of the pandemic, the government, through the DENR still managed to grant an environmental permit to a reclamation project that threatens the marine life of Manila Bay and would displace hundreds of fishing and coastal families in Bacoor town. We denounce the DENR in the strongest terms possible for consenting to this anti-environment project.” Said the militant fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) on Friday.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already granted the 320-hectare reclamation project in Bacoor City an environmental compliance cenrtificate (ECC). The reclamation project was proposed by the Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla.
“It is an obvious turnaround to their mandate in protecting the environment. The DENR was tasked to lead the rehabilitation of Manila Bay by no less than the highest Supreme Court, through its mandamus in 2008 directing several government agencies to rehabilitate its degrading ecosystem. Yet, this supposed lead agency is the one violating its very own program in restoring the ecosystem of Manila Bay,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said in a statement.
The group together with its provincial chapter in Cavite early this year has lodged an ombudsman complaint against Mayor Revilla over environmental violations by reclaiming the abandoned fish ponds in the town.
“The interests of local political clan in Cavite and private businesses prevail over the interest of thousands of fisherfolk and coastal residents who stand affected by this destructive reclamation project. More than 700 fishing and coastal families will be forcibly ejected from their houses to give way for ambitious development project by Mayor Revilla,” added Hicap.
“We will continue to challenge this plunder and sellout of our fishing waters in every legal way, in the parliament of the streets, and in the court of public opinion,” ended Hicap. ###
