PRESS RELEASE
August 6, 2023
Green groups raise alarm over Chinese company’s involvement in Manila Bay reclamation
Environmental group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) expressed concern over the involvement of a Chinese construction company in reclamation in Manila Bay, after it was revealed that the same company is involved in the construction of artificial islands in Chinese-occupied areas of the West Philippine Sea.This comes after a recent statement from the United States embassy on reclamation in Manila Bay, in which they noted the “potential negative long-term and irreversible impacts to the environment” of reclamation projects in the area and mentioned the involvement of China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC).“It is quite alarming that the very same company wrecking ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea is operating right here, legally, in plain sight in Manila Bay,” said Jon Bonifacio, national coordinator of Kalikasan PNE. “This is an insult not only to our natural heritage, but also to our national sovereignty.”Reclamation in Manila Bay has repeatedly drawn the ire of civil society groups and academic experts, which have cited reclamation-related impacts such as worse floods, destruction of coastal ecosystems, and community displacement. Last June, anti-reclamation alliance People’s Network for the Integrity of Coastal Habitats and Ecosystems held a “people’s summit against reclamation” in Metro Manila to spotlight reclamation issues across the country, with over a hundred advocates participating.Recently, the reclamation activities associated with the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan have also drawn attention after communities in Bulacan reported worsening floods in their area after Typhoon Egay.Citing CCCC’s track record, Kalikasan PNE called for the company’s operations to be suspended. They also urged the Marcos Jr. government to implement a moratorium on all ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay and other parts of the country.“The fact that a destructive company like China Communications Construction Co. can operate in a critical ecosystem like Manila Bay is a clear indication that the Marcos Jr. administration needs to review its policies around what is happening in the area,” said Bonifacio.Recently, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced that it will be launching a “cumulative impact assessment” to look into reclamation projects in Manila Bay. While Kalikasan PNE welcomed the announcement, they urged the DENR to make the “commonsense decision” to put ongoing projects on hold in the meantime. #
Contact:
Jon Bonifacio, National Coordinator
+63 939 913 6943
jon@kalikasan.net