The National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines (PAMALAKAYA) on Sunday said the dredging activities in Cavite province continues despite President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. suspended all the 22 recalamation projects in Manila Bay.
Interviewed during DZRH Stories: Pinoy Documentaries, PAMALAKAYA National President Ferando Hicap said they monitored at least five ships conducting dredging activities along the Municipalities of Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, and Naic on early morning of Sunday.
The said dredging acitvities are intended for the reclamation or dumping of lands into Manila Bay's waters.
"Maaring taktika nila ito doon sa suspension order ni Pang. Bongbong Marcos na patigil yung reclamation. Yung dredging activity kung saan kinukuha yung pang-reclaim dito sa bahagi ng gilid ng Manila Bay ay tuluy-tuloy at hindi nahinto," he said.
Hicap said the dredging activities may persists since the President ordered the temporary halt of reclamation actvities and not other activities related to it.
"Ibigsabihin, hindi nila ititigil sa kabila ng suspension order. Yung dredging na ginagawa nila ay preparation na baka payagan sila ulit dahil sa pansamantala pa lang naman, suspension pa lang naman," he added.
The PAMALAKAYA President then urged Marcos to issue an official executive order suspending all the reclamation and its other activities, or sign the House Bill No. 2026 or An Act declaring Manila Bay as Reclamaton-freez as filed by the Makabayan bloc lawmakers last year.
Hicap stressed that the reclamation projects will only benefit large developers.
"Ang pinaka-malala diyan, yung mga mangingisda at mamayan ang maapektuhan diyan dahil nawalan ng kabuhayan at tirahan. Lalong pinahihirapan nila," he added.
Citing local studies, the PAMALAKAYA President said almost half a million of fisherfolks and other workers are affected by the projects.
"Yung kita ng mga mangingisda natin mula nang magsimula iyan, mag da-dalawang taon na, mga 80 to 90 percent ng kanilang huli ang nawala na. Gano'n kalala yung reclamation ng Manila Bay," Hicap said.
On Thursday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confirmed that all 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay are temporarily suspended while the reviews are ongoing.
