Fishers group calls on Cavite gov't to stop reclamation project in Manila Bay

An alliance of fishers on Tuesday warned the local government of Cavite about its 420-hectare reclamation project in Manila Bay saying it might violate a Supreme Court (SC) order.

In a statement, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) chairperson Fernando Hicap encouraged officials to stop the project.

“The local execs of Cavite are at risk of violating the highest court’s order to protect and restore the fishing waters of Manila Bay if they will not cease and desist from pursuing destructive reclamation projects,” Hicap said.

“We are demanding Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla to heed his constituents in coastal areas to stop dump-filling the Manila Bay that will result to their displacement and destruction of fishing grounds,” he added.

In an SC mandamus in 2008, various government agencies, led by the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR), were directed to restore and rehabilitate the Manila Bay.

The group urged the local officials to look into the installation of steel pile revetment along the shores of the Manila Bay in the part of Bacoor City.

According to the group, the installation is part of the 420-hectare reclamation project proposed by the city government together with Frabelle Fishing Corporation.

PAMALAKAYA said the Bacoor City government’s “ambitious” reclamation project would destroy 420 hectares of the productive fishing grounds, including mussel (tahong) and oyster (talaba) farms.

“Moreover, it will wipe out a large number of fishing population who subsist in Manila Bay’s fishing waters by fishing and shellfish farming,” Hicap said.

PAMALAKAYA warned that the group will hold Cavite local government accountable if the destruction of the environment and the displacement of fisherfolk continue.  -MDM, GMA News