Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero on Wednesday, August 9, said that the government should demand accountability from negligent public officials if the review of reclamation projects reveals irregularities and corruption.
"If the investigation eventually finds corruption or irregularity in the granting of the environmental permits, they should rectify it if it can still be rectified, taking into account the huge investments involved," Escudero said in a statement.
He stressed that reclamation projects should be safe and not have adverse impacts on the environment.
"Make sure that it will not have any adverse impacts on our environment, given climate change, as well as the safety and convenience of our people in potentially affected areas—lastly, if any will be canceled or rectified, appropriate charges [should] be filed against erring officials and individuals in order to exact accountability so that others will not follow their lead," Escudero added.
The Senator declared his support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s decision to halt current reclamation projects in Manila Bay following reports of lapses in the project's implementation.
Additionally, he made it clear that he is not opposed to a review of the projects, as he simply cautioned Malacañang against doing so on the grounds that the US government is worried about their "long-term environmental impact."
Escudero emphasized that a review is necessary "as long as it is evidence-based and not arbitrary."
Marcos has recently announced that all ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay have been suspended amidst pending review except for one project which he did not mentioned.
