DILG exec Densing ready to resign if Manila Bay reclamation pushes through

Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said that he will resign should Manila Bay reclamation projects push through.

According to a report by Divine Reyes on GMA Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday, Densing said during a press conference that the local government units and the private sector should not let greed compromise the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

He added that he is not afraid of clashing with businessmen due to his opposition to the proposed reclamation projects.

Densing also said that he is confident that rehabilitating Manila Bay is possible, citing the results of the results of the six-month Boracay shutdown last year. 

According to a previous report by Maki Pulido last month, 25 reclamation projects in Manila Bay are pending government approval.

Almost 10,000 hectares of the Manila Bay, from Navotas City to Cavite, are supposed to undergo reclamation.

Three out of the 25 reclamation projects are seen to receive a notice to proceed soon, covering 650 hectares in Navotas City, 148 hectares in Manila City, and 360 hectares in Pasay City.

Opposition lawmakers had speculated that the cleanup efforts in Manila Bay could be a prelude to the reclamation of coastal areas.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, on the other hand, denied the allegation and said that the government is merely implementing a December 2008 mandamus of the Supreme Court to rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News