Contractor ng reclamation sa Manila Bay, nasa likod din ng artificial islands sa South... | 24 Oras

Summary

The US Embassy has raised concerns about the Manila Waterfront Reclamation Project due to its potential environmental risks and the involvement of a Chinese contractor linked to artificial island-building in the South China Sea. The contractor, First China Highways, is a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), which is blacklisted by the US. The Philippine Reclamation Authority states that the project's permits were legally processed. Meanwhile, the DENR plans to assess the environmental impact. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed his family's involvement in the project but emphasized that it followed legal procedures.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The US Embassy has expressed concern over the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, citing environmental risks and potential security implications.
• 🏝️ The contractor for the project, First China Highways, is a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), which is linked to building artificial islands in the South China Sea.
• 🇨🇳 The CCCC has been placed on the US Department of Commerce's Entity List, meaning they face restrictions on commerce with the US.
• 💼 The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) claims that the CCCC passed all government agency standards and that no official blacklisting exists in the Philippines.
• 🌱 Environmental groups have raised concerns about the reclamation project's impact, pointing to potential flooding risks in parts of Metro Manila.
• 🏙️ The Manila Waterfront Reclamation Project covers over 3 hectares, aiming to create residential, tourism, and business areas by adding land to Manila Bay.
• 🛑 US Embassy officials state their concerns are not about losing their view of the bay but the possible national security risks and environmental impact.
• 🌳 The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plans to conduct a cumulative impact assessment of the reclamation projects to evaluate the overall effects on Manila Bay.
• 🏢 Manila City Hall, Waterfront Philippines Inc., and other stakeholders have been asked for comments but have yet to respond.
• 👨‍⚖️ Senator Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed his family's involvement in the project, asserting that it followed legal processes, but declined to address the US Embassy's specific concerns.

Q & A

What is the Manila Waterfront Reclamation Project about?

The Manila Waterfront Reclamation Project involves reclaiming over 3 hectares of land in Manila Bay to develop a residential, tourism, and business area in the City of Manila.

Why is the US Embassy concerned about the Manila Waterfront Reclamation Project?

The US Embassy is concerned because the project's contractor, First China Highways, is a subsidiary of the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), which has been linked to the construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea, raising potential national security and environmental risks.

What is the connection between the contractor and the South China Sea dispute?

The contractor for the reclamation project, CCCC, has been involved in China's artificial island-building activities in the South China Sea, which the Philippine government opposes. This contractor is also on the US Department of Commerce's entity list, facing trade restrictions in America.

What is the Philippine Reclamation Authority's response to the US Embassy's concerns?

The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) states that the CCCC's permits were processed legally and in compliance with the government's standards, dismissing the concerns as allegations without any formal blacklisting in the Philippines.

What is the involvement of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in the project?

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed that his family is connected to the Manila Waterfront Reclamation Project but emphasized that the project went through legal and proper processes. He did not directly respond to the US Embassy's concerns.

What did Senator Gatchalian advise regarding the US Embassy's concerns?

Senator Gatchalian advised the US Embassy to follow the rule of law and the proper process, pointing out that the project underwent legal procedures.

What are the potential national security risks mentioned in the report?

The potential national security risks stem from the involvement of CCCC, a Chinese company linked to China's controversial activities in the South China Sea, raising concerns about its influence in strategic projects within the Philippines.

What is the role of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in this issue?

The DENR is set to conduct an environmental impact assessment to evaluate the cumulative effects of the reclamation projects, particularly focusing on environmental risks like flooding in Metro Manila.

How did environmental groups react to the Manila Waterfront Reclamation Project?

Environmental groups raised concerns that reclamation activities in Manila Bay could worsen flooding and negatively impact the environment, which has prompted the DENR to carry out an environmental review.

What is the current stance of the City of Manila and the companies involved in the project?

The City of Manila, companies involved, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have not yet issued a direct statement in response to the ongoing concerns and allegations.