Its time has come

Twenty-one years can do a lot for or against an idea.

Twenty-one years ago, the Manila City Council prohibited reclamations on Manila Bay. Just recently, it passed an ordinance reversing the ban, thereby paving the way for Manila Gold Coast Development Corp. (MGDC) to once again pursue a shelved project whose time has come.

As expected, some were not happy about the project’s revival. The reasons were varied. Some are worried that the view of the famous Manila Bay sunset will be obstructed. Some fear for environmental reasons. Others just do not like reclamation.

The  plan is to turn a 148-hectare portion of the Manila Bay  into a commercial, business, residential and tourism hub to be called “Solar City.” The Manila Gold Coast Reclamation Project (MGRP) is a joint venture between the City of Manila, with the sharing scheme at 70.55 percent for Gold Coast and 29.45 percent for the city. Gold Coast has applied for an environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

William Tieng, chair and chief executive officer of Manila Goldcoast Development Corp., was earlier quoted as saying that the Philippines will benefit from the reclamation project, just like Singapore, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and China which have used land reclamation as a front door to urban development.

He told one newspaper that “just like the CCP complex, which includes the Philippine International Convention Center, Folk Arts Theater, Manila Film Center, Coconut Palace (which now houses the Office of Vice President), and Sofitel Hotel, which by the way all stand on reclaimed land, the MGRP will not adversely affect the historic allure of the bay.”

To address the concern of critics, Gold Coast explained that the planned reclamation does not involve the 1.5-kilometer stretch between the Manila Yacht Club and the US Embassy along Roxas Boulevard.  It will be located at the back of the Philippine Navy and Manila Yacht Club 600 meters towards the bay, it said.

It also pointed out that with a frontage of only 635 meters parallel to Roxas Boulevard, and occupying less than 0.082 percent of the bay’s 1800 sq. km. surface area, it will not deprive Manilans, much less Filipinos, of the fabled Manila Bay sunset. “With our boundary only up to the Ospital ng Maynila, a full kilometer from the US Embassy, to be established in an area – most of Roxas Blvd. and the whole of the CCP and PICC complexes – that stands on reclaimed area to begin with, neither will it be a blot on the historic allure of the bay,” Gold Coast stressed.

We’ve learned that Gold Coast is actually building the city on stilts that are at least three storeys high, not only to prevent against flooding but also to help preserve the “view.”  Everything underneath will be “open space.”

It is also good to know that as a product of meticulous master planning (to be conducted by local and international master planners), the project will be using only state-of-the-art green technology through energy and water conservation, efficient waste management, renewable power supply which includes solar and biomass, recycled and treated water, among others.

“The development project, envisioned to abide by world-class best practices and standards, and with the use of state-of-the-art green reclamation technology, will not impact adversely on the environment. It will not cause any disruption of whatever nature to the bay’s marine ecology, not when studies conclusively show the absence of marine life – even sponges and ascidians that are tolerant to turbid and polluted water – in the project site and contiguous areas. It will not cause floods and will, in fact, reduce the occurrence of floods like other reclamation models all over the globe,” the proponents added.

We are not yet talking about the employment, revenue, and tourism benefits for the city and the whole country as well.  Billions of dollars will be spent by Gold Coast to build in Manila Bay the country’s first international cruise ship terminal that will bring tourists to the area.  There is no port here that can accommodate ships of that size. Soon we will have one.

Cagayan’s secret

Enough of Port Irene.

Cagayan Valley also has Sta. Ana, a quaint town which also is the location of the  breathtaking Gotan Beach.

According to Katrina Ponce Enrile, chief executive officer of Jaka Corp., Gotan will be developed into a very exclusive and a high-end integrated leisure and beach resort development.

“We intend to further develop, protect and nurture the natural surroundings of trees, mangroves, sandy and watery plants and grass that continually grow, even and especially among the many mini-islands. In addition to the wild life, monkeys and birds, these God-given gifts of nature contribute highly in maintaining its pristine, lending themselves to a refreshingly ‘green,’ naturally-toned, effervescent, clean and healthy environment. Qualities that discriminating people look for when going to a beach or a resort,” she said.

For now,  Gotan is by invitation only.

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