DEC.

11, 2011 DATE

NR # 2614B
REF. NO.

Solon asks House to investigate the P60 billion-reclamation and development in Navotas Bay
A lawmaker has asked the House Committees on Natural Resources and Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources to conduct an investigation on the impact of the P60billion reclamation and development of the Navotas Bay on the plight of the fisherfolks in the area. Rep. Rafael Mariano (Party-list, Anakpawis), author of House Resolution 1746, urged the joint House body to look into the plan to reclaim and develop a 3.3-kilometer area in Navotas Bay that will run parallel to the citys shoreline from C-4 to Tangos, 48.41 hectares of offshore land, and 22.04 hectares of offshore area, in Navotas City. Under the P60-B Navotas reclamation project, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will construct a baywalk from C-4 to North Luzon Expressway traversing the cities of Malabon, Valenzuela and Caloocan. Several concerned groups like the fisherfolks alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA), the Koalisyon Kontra Kumbersiyon ng Manila Bay (KKK-Manila Bay) and the PInagkaisang Lakas ng Mamamayan ng Navotas (PIGLAS-Navotas) expressed opposition to the proposed reclamation project. Mariano said the project will not only affect the marine environment but also the livelihood and housing rights of 75,000 families living along the shorelines of Navotas City, which is primarily a focused on fishing and is host to communities of small fishermen. In fact, 80% of the people of Navotas City rely mainly on the fishing and fishing related industries, Mariano said, adding that, the project will result in the displacement of fisherfolks in the area and will saddle them more with extreme poverty. Mariano said the memorandum of agreement for the P60-B reclamation and development of the Navotas Bay area project was signed between former City Mayor and now Navotas City Rep. Tobias Tiangco and the First Sea Front Renew, Inc. Tiangco said the construction of the project will place the fishing city in the National Capital Regions roadmap of national development (30) sb