A NEOPHYTE lawmaker yesterday called for a congressional investigation into reports that one of the companies involved in the 318-hectare Manila Bay reclamation project is a Chinese construction firm that was also involved in the construction of an airbase and naval base of China in the West Philippine Sea.
Rep. Erwin Tulfo (PL, ACT-CIS) filed House Resolution No. 1171 urging the House of Representatives to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, regarding the status of the Manila Bay reclamation projects due to national security concerns brought about by the involvement of the China Communications Construction Company (CCC) in the reclamation project.
In their two-page resolution, Tulfo along with fellow ACT-CIS party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Tulfo’s sister-in-law Jocelyn, said the ongoing reclamation activities “have raised concerns among citizens and various stakeholders.”
“The question is, is there an agency checking if these foreign ships docked in Manila Bay now are legitimate dredging vessels or maybe these are militia vessels from the West Philippine Sea?” he said, adding the crew of the Chinese firm could be engaged in espionage amid China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
The broadcast journalist said he filed the resolution “to be sure that when we wake up the next day, Manila Bay is still part of the Republic of the Philippines and not again in the hands of another nation.”
The United States Embassy has said the CCCC, the parent company of China First Highway Engineering Corporation (CFHEC), had been flagged by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices and was also blacklisted by Washington in 2020 for helping build artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, destroying thousands of hectares of coral reefs.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian earlier admitted that the reclamation project of the Waterfront Manila Premier Development Inc. (MWPDI) is led by his father while maintaining that it went through the process.
The senator last week said the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued permits for the project.
Tulfo echoed the sentiments of Speaker Martin Romualdez “who also wants to ensure the national security, transparency, environmental sustainability and the best interest of the public regarding the Manila Bay reclamation projects.”
“I was informed by the Speaker (Romualdez) that he was concerned after hearing several news reports regarding national security issues in the reclamation area as he remained committed to safeguarding our nation’s security and upholding our territorial integrity and fostering peaceful cooperation in the region,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo added the Speaker is wondering who is in charge of keeping an eye on all these Chinese vessels involved right now in the reclamation since he has been told that “the Chinese crew of these vessels come to our shores in Pasay and Manila at nights.”
“Are the crew members being monitored when they leave their ship and prowl at night and maybe they’re also taking photos and information about our country?” he said.
The resolution said that while the ongoing land reclamation “may offer potential economic benefits and development opportunities, it also raises concerns about its environmental impact, such as the alteration of coastal processes, and the possible effects on water quality and marine biodiversity.”
Tulfo clarified that he is not against any development or growth in the country, especially if it is beneficial to the people. “However, if that development will kill the livelihood of people living in that area, or shuts down business, or disturbs the environment, or even violates certain local government codes, will it still be beneficial for the people?” he said.
“The reclamation of Manila Bay right now will certainly leave some sectors of our society impoverished,” he added. “According to the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusan ng Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas or Pamalakaya, a national association of fisherfolk, thousands of fishermen from the National Capital Region (NCR) and in Regions 3 and 4 will be displaced because of the said project,” he said.
