Reclamation projects of Pasay compliant

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Wednesday clarified that the two Pasay Eco-City Coastal Development projects recently given the green light complied with the national government’s requirements.

DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga, in a Malacañang press briefing, said the compliance review process is separate from the ongoing cumulative impact assessment.

“The compliance review process looks at the ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) and the area clearances of all those given the go-ahead to see whether they have actually complied with the conditions,” Loyzaga said.

She added that a report stating that the two projects have substantially complied with all requirements has already been submitted.

“We do not suspend. We do not lift the suspension. That is a matter for the (Philippine Reclamation Authority),” Loyzaga said.

The Philippine Reclamation Authority is the government agency responsible for regulating reclamation activities in the country.

In August 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay to review their adherence to regulations and assess their effects on both local communities and the environment.

The Eco-City development plan involves two projects in Manila Bay called “Pasay 265” and “Pasay 360.”

“Pasay 265” is a collaboration between the city and Pasay Harbor Corp. to develop 265 hectares offshore into a modern, environmentally sustainable waterfront city with an iconic character.

The second project, spanning 360 hectares, is a partnership with SM Smart City Infrastructure and Development Corp. It will be linked to the Mall of Asia complex, which belongs to the SM Group.

The Pasay City administration expects to generate trillions of pesos in revenue from the Eco-City development projects.