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By EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech & Digital News
(SDN) — Lawyer Joseph John Literal, spokesman of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), looks as someone who cares for cementing the country’s claims over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Or the South China Sea (SCS) to Mainland China.
In fact, Literal, PRA assistant general manager for Reclamation and Regulation, pointed out the agency’s mandate covers Pagasa Island.
Fielding questions from reporters, the PRA official said in Pilipino: “It’s because Pagasa is not an exemption in the mandate of PRA. It’s OK because our mandate is for reclamation projects. If there’s an instruction from the national government, we can.”
Literal made the response during a press conference on May 6 at the PRA Office, Legaspi Tower 200, Makati City, Metro Manila, as he presided alone over a lively meeting with members of the quad news media.
He answered various questions from print, radio, TV, and online digital news platforms, including on the situation concerning Navotas City, Metro Manila, planned reclamation to expand its fish port where fisherfolks held a protest the other day over the demolition of their livelihood structures.
“Hindi pa po nagsisimula ang reclamation ng Navotas City. First, wala pa po signal sa amin…still complying with the pre-construction requirements. Secondly, based on the suspension (of reclamation projects) that happened last year, there are two conditions,” noted Literal.
The conditions refer to the need for a compliance by Navotas City with all the requirements or conditions of the ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate), and the completion of the evaluation and review by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “We are still waiting for the report from DENR and also the endorsement of OP (Office of the President) to PRA.”
“So, based on the two conditions, the reclamation of Navotas City still cannot start,” he emphasized.
The PRA official said when a report reached them that there would be demolition of fisherfolks’ structures for “tahong” gathering in the Metro Manila city, they acted.
“We coordinated immediately with the LGU (local government unit) and heard the LGU side that this is not in relation with the reclamation but, in fact, an activity related to Mandamus requirements. This is also related to the cleaning of Manila Bay as part also of the Writ of Mandamus issued by the Supreme Court.”
Many topics were discussed by Literal as he reiterated that of the several reclamation projects President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. suspended in 2023 for further study and review by the DENR and PRA, along with experts, only two have resumed operations.
He said they are the Pasay City projects, such as the 265-hectare Pasay City Harbor Reclamation Project and the 90-hectare SM Prime Reclamation Project after the DENR under Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga determined in November 23 last year the proponents complied with requirements the agency imposed.
“We at PRA, we to see it that these (ECC) conditions are complied with diligently and religiously.”
On the other hand, Yulo-Loyzaga stressed the job of the DENR is merely to “evaluate and assess compliance”, saying that lifting suspensions is in the hands only of PRA.
On reclamation projects, Literal explained that there are factors that must be considered, including on the Pagasa Island.
“But, again, reclamation requires studies, designs, and also funds. So, it is more on (considering) priorities…if Congress allocates (funds), just to reinforce our claims (in the WPS), that’s not impossible, as long as there would be an act of Congress and approval from the President.”
Literal wished there would be those in the private sector who are “makabayan” (patriotic), and not focused on big profits.
“Actually, kung tutuusin kung meron lang magpi-finance, even ‘yon sa Pagasa (Island), we can develop the airstrip, palakihin ang area. Everything is possible.” (In any any case, if there would be who’ll finance it, even on Pagasa (Island), we can develop the airstrip, expand the area. Everything is possible.)
The PRA spokesman underscored that reclamation projects are private sector driven.
“But if there would be a private sector who is patriotic, who’ll say, “OK, even if we don’t earn much, as long as we can expand our property there in the Palawan area, there in Zambales, it is OK with us’.
“So, we are going to wait. That is also a challenge to us in the PRA, it’s a challenge to the government, but it’s not impossible, it’s possible, if we can truly have political will.”
As stakeholders in the different communities affected by the many reclamation projects in Manila Bay protest, Literal pointed out that PRA also has initiatives to help affected fisherfolks and fishermen, including gatherers of mussels (tahong and talaba).
He said PRA is helping fisherfolks by giving them training as fishermen. Literal noted that not all the fisherfolks families want their children to fishermen as well. There are families who want their children to become professional, work in office, to mix the source of their income.
“We also have programs where we give fishing gears, trainings, as well as providing boats for those who are displaced (in their fishing grounds). Since they are displaced in the ((reclamation) areas, at least they can go (and fish) in far areas.
“So, these are the things the PRA, the proponents and their joint partners are looking into,” the PRA official said.
It is not just the fishermen who are displaced, he noted, but also gatherers of mussels (tahong and talaba). “They are not focused in one location, so they can be relocated,” Literal said, hastening to add it is not the families who’ll be relocated but their gathering areas. “So, we also have a program for them, giving them (materials) for their structures (baklag and bamboo sticks). One of the (reclamation) proponents may provide the fund.”
“We are avoiding relocations of informal settlers. (Reclamations) are considered protection because they are higher level.”
“We in the PRA, we are required to come up with an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) and Social Development and Management Plan (SMDP). All projects are required by the government (to have them,” said Literal.
He said the reclamation projects open up new opportunities. “These opportunities, you’ll think the traditional livelihoods are being removed. It’s not like that. We are trying to minimize the impact (of the reclamation projects.
“We are not talking of relocation of families, only the relocation of livelihood. So, all the PRA-approved projects are island reclamation projects so there will be no relocation of families.
“We at PRA, we to see it that these (ECC) conditions are complied with diligently and religiously to minimize the impact because we can’t say there is no impact, zero impact, all these have.” (♤)