MANILA, Philippines — An environmental compliance certificate (ECC) will clear the issue on whether the reclamation project along the Marikina River was among the factors that caused the widespread flooding in the city during Typhoon Ulysses, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said yesterday.
Teodoro said the local government has asked for a copy of the ECC from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the reclamation project undertaken by a private company owned by former mayor and now Marikina Rep. Bayani Fernando.
Teodoro said the documents would be able to clear whether or not the project, an artificial embankment, had caused floodwater to rise during the typhoon.
An ECC, which shows an environmental impact assessment for the reclamation project, is required for such undertaking, he said.
“We are not saying that it was the sole cause (of flooding), but may be it contributed to the flooding in the city and nearby areas,” Teodoro told Teleradyo.
Teodoro earlier said the city government would file an administrative complaint against Fernando’s company.
The mayor said trucks transporting materials for the project bore markings of the Department of Public Works and Highways. The DPWH denied involvement in the project.