THE PHILIPPINE Reclamation Authority (PRA) said it hopes to start drafting regional and national reclamation development plans (RDPs) by April, in compliance with the President’s order to more closely supervise reclamation projects.
“We can start with coordination meetings with DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority), regional and local offices and LGUs (local government units) concerned in coming up with the RDPs. We might start by April,” PRA Assistant Manager Joseph John M. Literal said during the public consultation for the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Executive Order 74 in Pasay City on Feb. 28.
As per Section 7 of EO 74, “all proposals for reclamation projects covered by this order must be compliant with these RDPs and relevant master plans of the concerned national government agency.”
RDPs seek to consider the “environmental, social, and economic impacts of proposed reclamation projects” before they are approved.
PRA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Janilo E. Rubiato noted that RDPs will only cover the proposals that come after its issuance.
“It would not be fair to earlier proponents, to make them comply with new requirements that will change everything. We will find a way to accommodate them,” Mr. Rubiato told BusinessWorld after the public consultation.
Mr. Rubiato said the PRA is seeking to find a solutions that will also include current proposals as well, as some proponents have already processed their environmental clearance certificates (ECC) at the time of the release of EO 74.
“Part of the strategy is to have a cut off for which projects are okay even without the RDP, and the coverage of the RDPs. Once the RDP is in force, any proponents submitting is plans to an LGU has to be compliant,” Mr. Rubiato said.
Mr. Rubiato added there is no timeline for completing the RDPs, which could require a roadshow and consultations in the regions to ensure the drafting of “a very good RDP.”
The PRA will release the IRR for EO 74 on March 6, which will include pre-qualification and notice to proceed requirements, conditions for competition, the revenue sharing scheme, schedule of fees, and its applicability.
EO 74 transferred direct supervision of all reclamation projects to the Office of the President from NEDA. Prior to NEDA, the power to approve reclamation projects was under the authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The stricter regulations follow a rush of proposals to reclaim land along Manila Bay. There are currently 22 reclamation projects pending with the PRA, covering about 11% of the bay’s 1,994-square kilometer area. — Arra B. Francia

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