CEBU CITY—The massive reclamation projects being sought by various project proponents are threatening the marine ecosystems in the Central and Eastern Visayas, ocean conservation advocacy group Oceana Philippines said.
Lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, said there are at least eight reclamation projects that are in various stages of development in Cebu alone.
Oceana Philippines is appealing to the incoming Duterte administration to stop such destructive development projects and, instead, work for the rehabilitation of damaged mangrove and beach forests, coral reefs and seagrass beds to ensure sustainable fish production and prevent biodiversity loss.
These projects, that are mostly sought for the expansion of ports and urban areas, are being initiated by local governments in partnership with the private sector through public-private partnerships.
Interviewed at the sidelines of the Ocean Heroes Award coorganized by Oceana Philippines, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Biodiversity Management Bureau, Ramos said these reclamation projects are being implemented even without the necessary permits and all-important environmental impact assessment.
Oceana is seeking to stop these reclamation projects as part of its advocacy to protect the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) from destruction. An important fishing ground, the Tañon Strait is also home, playground and feeding ground of various marine mammals, particularly dolphins and whales. Fourteen of the 27 species of dolphins and whales can be found at the TSPS.
Land reclamation destroys mangrove, seagrass and corals, which serve as spawning grounds and nursery grounds of not only small fishes, but other marine mammals, as well as crabs, says Jimelyn O. Flores, senior marine scientists of Oceana Philippines said.
“If we lose these habitats, we cut the cycle of life,” she said, underscoring the need to stop all land reclamation to protect the habitat-forming species from being lost forever.
“Now, we may not feel it yet. But its impact will be felt by future generation,” said Flores.
Rocky Guzman, of Oceana’s legal and policy team said there are at least 15 proposed land-reclamation projects in various parts of Central and Eastern Visayas.
Guzman, who is leading the group’s campaign against illegal dumps and landfills, sought a list of proposed land-reclamation projects being processed by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) in Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas in the group’s attempt to intervene and seek legal remedy in behalf of the threatened species and marine ecosystems in these regions.
Ramos said the land-reclamation projects should be stopped and she enjoined various stakeholders in Cebu and other parts of the Visayas to help protect marine ecosystem from being irreversibly damaged or destroyed in the name of corporate interests.
“Land reclamation can destroy not only habitats but cause irreversible damage to our marine ecosystems. Once these ecosystems are lost, our way of life, our food security are also threatened,” she said.
In an earlier interview, Jose Gonzales, assistant general manager of PRA told the BusinessMirror that as far as the agency is concerned, only around 2,000 hectares of coastal areas have been converted as part of various urban expansion projects.
Eight massive land-reclamation projects are currently in the pipeline, mostly along Manila Bay and some parts of Metro Cebu. There are hundreds more being applied for by various proponents. The PRA said it only approves land-reclamation projects when the target area have been given the green light by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.