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HINDI angkop na ibunton ang lahat ng sisi sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)hinggil sa kontrobersyal na Manila Bay reclamation project.
Para kay DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, hindi lamang sa kanyang kagawarang pinamumunuan dapat iasa ang pagbibigay proteksyon sa Manila Bay.
Sa ginanap na 2024 budget briefing ng Kamara, partikular na tinukoy ni Loyzaga ang usapin kaugnay ng environment compliance certificate (ECC) na iginawad ng DENR sa 22 reclamation projects.
Una nang nagpatutsada si Kabataan partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel sa paulit-ulit na kapalpakan at kabiguan ng departamentong tanging mandato ay pangalagaan ang kalikasan.
“The department could not be held solely responsible for any failures in terms of protecting the coastal ecosystem,” sagot ni Loyzaga sa militanteng kongresista.
“This is a whole of society’s job and it must be the whole of the government that will be involved in preserving our environment,” aniya pa.
Hinimok rin ng Manuel ang DENR chief na panagutin ang mga opisyales na lumagda sa ECC sa mga reclamation projects na sinuspinde kamakailan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – bagay na sinagot agad ni Loyzaga.
“We are currently investigating how these ECCs were actually processed, if there were misdeeds, if there were any kind of infraction in terms of the rules. We will certainly be able to look into possible sanctions; however, at this point, our emphasis is really in reviewing the ECCs and their conditions, of which I have to say there are many and substantive conditions that are actually positive in terms of environmental management,” wika pa ng Kalihim.
Paglilinaw ni Loyzaga, hindi pahintulot ang ECC, sabay turo sa Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) na nag-apruba ng mga nasabing proyekto.
“Perhaps the best way to respond is to reiterate that the ECC is not a permit. It is a planning tool, and therefore it is dynamic and maybe changed at any point when a correction needs to be made and whether management issues need to be addressed.
“In terms of the ECCs, there are conditions that had to be met and we are now investigating whether those that are actually operating have complied with all the conditions under the ECCs and area clearances. Those that have not yet operated, we cannot technically stop them because they are in the process of complying to the conditions of their ECCs,” hirit pa ni Loyzaga.
“We are assembling the scientific team and that team will be formed by this month in order for it to conduct its duty.”
