In a one-page position paper, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) raised “concern for the marine environment due to Secretary Cimatu’s pronouncement to continue reclamation projects that transform productive fishing hubs and communal waters into eco-tourism hub, commercial business districts (CBDs), and even government projects that only benefit private interest while leaving the fisherfolk and other coastal settlers homeless.”
“With more than 100 reclamation projects covering almost 40,000 hectares of fishing waters approved throughout the archipelago, millions of fisherfolk and coastal settlers are under the threat of widespread community displacement in exchange for eco-tourism hub, commercial business districts (CBDs), and even government projects that only benefit the private sector, “ Pamalakaya said.
Pamalakaya said “the retention of Cimatu to the environment department would speed up the issuance of environmental compliance certificates (ECC) to reclamation projects. Any reclamation project needs to acquire ECC from the DENR to proceed.”
“We call on the Commission on Appointments to reject the appointment of Roy Cimatu in order to save the fisherfolk from massive displacement and the marine environment from further destruction due to devastating threat of coastal reclamation and conversion projects,” document said.
Pamalakaya chairperson Fernandeo Hicap said that “aside from its socio-economic cost, reclamation projects have proven serious damage and destruction to marine ecosystems such as seabed, corals, and mangrove areas resulting to ecosystem imbalance and reduction of marine productivity.”
The CA will resume the hearing deliberations October 4.
