
NEWS
ENVIRONMENT
Bulacan airport project poses threats to environment, livelihood
by Ria Javate and Joemariequeen Del Rosario
Posted on December 7, 2020

Photo from BusinessWorld
BULACAN, Philippines–Proposed New Manila International Airport in Bulacan raised environmental issues in Manila Bay which will affect the livelihood of the people in surrounding areas, a researcher said in a webinar, August 18.
The 2500-hectare airport project proposed by San Miguel Corporation will impact the existing healthy ecosystem of Manila Bay and may damage the bay’s rich fishing ground where thousands of fisher folks and their families depend on.
Narod Eco, a researcher from the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines Diliman, said that the proposed reclamation projects on Manila Bay will result in detrimental effects on the environment on top of the geological hazards that already exist.
Eco warned about Manila Bay’s proneness to storm surges, rapid land subsidence, and flooding which can be worsened by the planned airport.
Moreover, he explained the likely event of liquefaction due to ground shaking or earthquake in the area which he based on data from HazardHunterPH, a hazard assessment application of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
“Nababago at napapalala ng mga aktibidad ng mga tao ang mga natural na proseso at bumabalik din sa atin, tayo rin ang napeperwisyo, pero mas malala ang epekto nito sa mga taga-doon sa lugar,” Eco said.
​
Meanwhile, Oceana Philippines Vice President Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos discussed the laws that involve the protection of the environment and natural resources that should be upheld by concerned government agencies.
​

“In this ruling, the court said that the state through the government agencies has to take the lead in the preservation and protection of the manila bay. Meaning, they should not do anything which will impact the ecological integrity of manila bay. But are they doing that?” Ramos said as she questioned the actions taken by the government agencies.
Ramos also emphasized the effects of the airport construction on the livelihood, food security, and displacement of residents from seven coastal sitios of Barangay Taliptip, Bulakan, Bulacan.
​
Photo from Philippine Star
“The impact on livelihood is very apparent as what the communities in Taliptip are suffering from. There’s harassment, military men were placed there since last year. And there are [threats to] displace them of their fishing grounds, displacement, food security and security of well-being and family,” Ramos stated.
Eco questioned if the development is really for the benefit of the people and explained that bringing people into a reclamation project that is susceptible to geohazards also means bringing them into a dangerous area.
“Panawagan natin ay genuine rehabilitation at hindi reclamation,” Eco said as he urged to stop and revoke permits for Manila Bay’s reclamation projects and instead provide more funds to improve research for science-based and evidence-based policies.
The webinar titled “How the proposed Bulacan airport threatens Manila Bay (#SaveManilaBay)” was spearheaded by Rappler and Oceana Philippines, an organization that advocates to protect the oceans. #