[OPINION] Effects of reclamation and dredging shows government's failure to protect our seas

A year ago, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources canceled the environmental compliance certificate of a 51-hectare reclamation project in Coron, Palawan. The cancellation of the ECC was widely welcomed by many environmental groups; however, hectares of coral reef and seagrass beds had already been destroyed by the time of the ECC cancellation. A biophysical assessment by the team of Dr.

The disruption of such a large area would have extremely alarming impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems. The destruction of mangroves, seagrasses, and corals will lead to marine biodiversity loss and food insecurity. Amid a worsening climate crisis, reclamation will also exacerbate hazards such as land subsidence, flooding, and storm surge experienced by coastal communities. It would also be difficult for marine organisms to repopulate the seas if coastal areas are turned into dry land.

During the Senate deliberation for the 2023 budget of the DENR, senators grilled DENR officials on the massive reclamation in Manila Bay, to which the Environment Secretary replied that they will look into it.

To further express their disappointment with how poorly the DENR addresses environmental and social issues related to reclamation and dredging, different groups and communities of fisherfolk, coastal residents, scientists, academics, and environmentalists from all over the country participated in the third National People’s Summit Against Reclamation last June 3–4, 2023.

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