Green groups clean Freedom Island coastline, protest reclamation projects

Green groups Nilad, Ban Reclamation Project, Earth Island Institute and Save Freedom Island Movement held a Coastal Clean-Up at the Freedom Island in Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) and called for the ban of reclamation projects.

According to the groups, out of the more than 100 approved reclamation projects by the government, 30 would be implemented in Metro Manila.

Some of the reclamation projects approved by the Finance Department include the Solar City (149 hectares) and Horizon Manila (419 hectares) in Manila Bay, Baseco, North Harbour (50 hectares), Navotas, Laguna Lake, LPPCHEA, Freedom Island and others.

“Reclamation in a critical habitat is not a good idea,” says Trixie Concepcion of the Earth Island Institute.

According to her, “Apart from drastically affecting the ecosystem of this known bird sanctuary, scientists also raise the issue of land subsidence, liquefaction during earthquakes and resistance to storm surges of reclaimed areas.”

They also slammed these projects over their adverse impacts to the environment, livelihood of fisherfolk, housing to residents, flood risks among others. Participants of the coastal clean-up today also believe that these projects will only benefit big foreign companies.

“Reclamation would entail displacement of thousands of communities dependent on Manila Bay for their livelihoods,” says Rick Marlon Marquez, spokesperson of the Save Freedom Island Movement.

He added, “Reclamation will further impoverish the poor coastal communities in Manila Bay and result in a social disaster.”

During the clean-up, the audit of collected garbage in two hours was conducted showed that the groups gathered 471.21 kilos (33 sacks) of plastic waste, 130.4 kilos (23 sacks) of styrofoam and rubber materials, and 88.9 kilos (9 sacks) of other garbage including bottle caps, aluminum cans, clothes and stuff toys.

“Let us fight reclamation and stop these projects on its tracks. Reclamation kills our coast and valuable water systems,” says Raymond Palatino, Nilad chairperson.

“Instead of development aggression and reclamation, the better alternative is the restoration and rehabilitation of Manila Bay,” ended Palatino.