Philippines halts reclamation work amid US concerns over Chinese firm, environment impact
- The move comes after the US last week voiced disquiet over the Manila Bay projects near its embassy and their ties with a Chinese firm blacklisted by Washington
- Green activists have long worried about the impact of the reclamation projects by developers seeking to turn the bay into a gaming tourism hub like Las Vegas and Macau
Marcos Jnr did not specify which of the 13 approved projects were put on hold due to problems in executing them.
“All are suspended. The reclamation projects are under review except one that has been pushed through since the review was already completed. We saw problems in the implementation,” he said.
Marcos Jnr also raised fears that the islet-building spree could choke a lot of rivers and wipe out the sea along a popular waterfront promenade in the capital if the projects continued – worries fishing and green groups have long flagged since the scheme to retrieve at least 5,000 hectares of Manila Bay was approved more than a decade ago.
Environmental activists have staged protests against the reclamation work by property developers seeking to build islands to house luxury hotels, casinos, restaurants and shopping centres to turn the bay into a gaming tourism hub like Las Vegas and Macau.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga previously said the initiative brings economic benefit to the country, but later acknowledged its effect on the ecology.
She added her department would form a team to conduct the impact assessment of the projects and rope in foreign experts to assist the panel, broadcaster GMA News reported.