Fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA has slammed San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and its CEO Ramon Ang, accusing them of worsening the flooding crisis in Navotas and other parts of Metro Manila through large-scale reclamation projects.
“Nakakatawa sana kung hindi labis na nakakagalit ang mga patutsada ni Ramon Ang, CEO ng San Miguel Corporation, na tutulong daw ito sa pagresolba ng lumalalang baha sa Metro Manila “nang walang gastos sa taumbayan at walang gastos sa pamahalaan,” na tila ba dapat pa tayong magpasalamat sa kanya,” PAMALAKAYA said in a statement.
PAMALAKAYA argued that Ang and his company are among the primary culprits behind the worsening floods.
The group pointed to the 2,500-hectare New Manila International Airport (NMIA) reclamation project in Bulacan, which displaced over 700 families and destroyed 600 mangrove trees, as well as the 650-hectare Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project.
The latter, carried out in partnership with the Navotas local government, is intended to support NMIA operations but has reportedly devastated the livelihoods of thousands of shellfish gatherers in Navotas.
Residents living near the reclamation sites have reported faster, deeper, and longer-lasting floods since the projects began.
PAMALAKAYA said these developments have also contributed to the accelerated sinking of various areas across Metro Manila.
Even the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in a cumulative impact assessment, acknowledged that the projects significantly worsen flooding and pose serious threats to the environment and local livelihoods.
“Kaya naman ang mga hambog na pahayag ni Ramon Ang ay katumbas ng pamimigay ng payong sa gitna ng delubyo na siya mismo, mga kapwa niyang malalaking negosyante, kasabwat ang mga dayuhang mamumuhunan at burukratang kapitalista, ang lumikha,” PAMALAKAYA stressed.
The group demanded accountability and compensation for affected fisherfolk and residents, and called for an immediate halt to all reclamation projects around Manila Bay.
“Sa katunayan, kulang na kulang ang pagtulong sa pagresolba ng baha sa dapat gawin ng mga katulad niya. Dapat din siyang singilin ng kumpensasyon at managot para sa pinsalang idinulot ng kanilang mga proyekto sa mga mangingisda at mamamayan ng Manila Bay. “
“Dapat na ring kagyat na ipatigil ang lahat ng proyektong reklamasyon, dahil malinaw na wala itong mabuting maidudulot kundi pagkawasak ng kalikasan at kabuhayan sa mga baybaying-dagat,” the group concluded.(JCNE)
