Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) Assistant General Manager Joseph Literal confirmed on Monday that only 13 reclamation projects in Manila Bay was approved.
In a televised interview, Literal corrected the claims mentioned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) about 22 reclamation projects that pertain to the entire country.
He said only a small portion of the important fishing grounds and waterways will be covered.
The PRA executive stated that they should have the same figure as DENR because they based their permission on the given environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and area clearance.
He went on to clarify that their approved projects should match the DENR's recorded approved projects.
According to Literal, three of the 13 reclamation projects are already being implemented, while the remaining ten are still complying with pre-construction documentation and other approvals from PRA and other government authorities.
He said that the developments in Manila Bay will encompass 5,000 to 6,000 hectares of the harbor and will be concentrated in the National Capital Region (NCR) and some districts of Cavite.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. announced last week the suspension of all reclamation projects in Manila Bay, claiming that such projects could cause the sea near Roxas Boulevard to evaporate.
Despite the suspension order, the fisherfolk group Pamalakaya Pilipinas said on Sunday that they had witnessed vessels engaging in dredging activities off the coasts of Rosario, Noveleta, Tanza, and Naic in Cavite.
