MANILA, Philippines — A prominent fisherfolk group has issued an urgent challenge to the newly appointed acting Environment Secretary, Juan Miguel Cuna, calling for the immediate revocation of environmental permits for at least 13 reclamation projects in Manila Bay.
The group Pamalakaya (Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas) urged Cuna to prioritize the protection of marine ecosystems over industrial expansion. Cuna recently took over the post from Raphael Lotilla, who had faced criticism for allegedly failing to safeguard the bay and its surrounding coastal communities.
“Fisherfolk, coastal poor communities, and environmental advocates are closely watching the new head of the department to see whether he will uphold genuine environmental protection or merely serve as an instrument of natural resource plunderers,” said Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap.
The group argues that the evidence against reclamation is already within the DENR’s own files. They pointed to the first phase of the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) released in April 2025, which highlighted several “irreversible” risks:
- Disruption of Water Flow: Reclamation can obstruct natural drainage, significantly worsening inland and coastal flooding during storms.
- Ecosystem Decay: The projects threaten to destroy remaining mangroves and degrade habitats for 167 fish species.
- Fisheries Impact: Fisherfolk reported a drastic reduction in fishing grounds, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of families.
- Algal Blooms: The change in water circulation increases the risk of harmful red tides.
The controversy dates back to August 2023, when President Marcos ordered an indefinite suspension of 22 major land reclamation projects (13 of which are in Manila Bay) following warnings that they were causing massive flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Bulacan and Pampanga.
While the DENR had previously committed to strengthening the rules for issuing Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs), Pamalakaya insists that a “review” is no longer enough. They, along with other environmental groups like Oceana and Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), are demanding a total cancellation of the projects to ensure long-term public safety and ecological survival.