DENR should’ve used P389M for mangrove forest rehab–group

THE Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the P389 million used in overlaying “white sand ” over a 500-meter portion in Manila Bay’s baywalk area along Roxas Boulevard could have been used for the massive rehabilitation of degraded mangrove areas.

Pamalakaya National Chairman Fernando Hicap said that with such money, reforestation of mangroves could have covered at least 13,000 hectares.

Citing a 2018 report, Hicap noted that planting mangrove costs at least $607.7 or P28,881.6 per hectare, which means that the fund for Manila Bay’s “artificial rehabilitation” could plant a total of 13,469 hectares of mangrove forests.

Environmentalists had earlier criticized the project, which they said focused on aesthetics over genuine rehabilitation needs.

The budget was more than enough to install mangrove forests that will serve as fish sanctuary, pollution filter and protection of coastal communities.

“Compared to the ‘white sand’ project along the baywalk, mangroves serve many important purposes to marine environment and coastal communities. Its amenities include community defense against strong waves, storm surges, flood regulation, sediment trapping, marine wildlife habitat and nurseries,” Hicap said in a statement.

“The government’s failure to genuinely rehabilitate the degrading Manila Bay is being white-washed by the dumping of white sand. Instead of a transformative and sustainable environmental intervention, the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] is more invested in cosmetic surgery,” Hicap added.

The group claimed that thousands of hectares of mangroves were destroyed before to give way for reclamation projects intended for commercial and industrial hubs. From decades ago until 1995, the group further noted, mangrove areas in Manila Bay used to cover 54,000 hectares but have significantly shrunk to 2,000 hectares and at present, only less than 500 hectares are left.

Pamalakaya also warned that the dolomite boulders, the synthetic materials being filled along the baywalk, could pose harm to the marine environment and humans, as it contains heavy metals such as aluminum, lead, and mercury, that could contribute to the pollution and acidity of Manila Bay.

Lastly, the group said that several reclamation projects in Manila Bay, particularly in the coastal waters of Bacoor City in Cavite, Navotas City and Bulakan in Bulacan, have been given green light by the DENR, the lead agency of the government’s Manila Bay rehabilitation program.