Erap ready to discuss Manila Bay reclamation project with CBCP

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday said he is willing to discuss with the leaders of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) the proposed Manila Bay reclamation project.

CBCP officials had earlier expressed reservations over the adverse social and environmental effects of the planned 38 real estate projects that would involve the reclamation of more than 26,230 hectares of Manila Bay.

Estrada said he will discuss with the bishops the benefits of the project.

“The city government is only after the greater good of the majority. I am willing to sit down with them,” he said.

Estrada was reacting to an open letter made by 21 bishops led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Auxilliary Bishop Bernardo Cortez opposing the reclamation project.

“We are aware of 38 projects that involve reclaiming 26,234 hectares of Manila Bay. Our immediate concern, however, is the proposed reclamation of 300 hectares for Las Piñas/Parañaque; 300 hectares for Pasay, and the 148 hectares for Manila, as the bidding process for the project has started,” the bishops said in their letter to President Aquino.

“Even without these projects, former reclamations in these areas have resulted in disastrous flooding, particularly in Las Piñas, Parañaque, Malabon, Navotas and many towns and cities in Cavite, Bulacan and Pampanga that now have serious need for dredging of water bodies to enable water to flow freely,” they said.

The CBCP said the project will affect the Archdiocese of Manila and the Dioceses of Cubao, Caloocan, Antipolo, Novaliches, Parañaque and Pasig.