Marcos urged to stop Manila Bay reclamation

Broad coalition says it could worsen flooding, trigger environmental disasters, endanger lives

- By JEL SANTOS

A broad coalition of church groups, environmental advocates, fisherfolk organizations, youth groups, and civil society organizations has formally petitioned President Marcos to stop proposed reclamation projects in Manila Bay, warning that the developments could worsen flooding, trigger environmental disasters, and endanger human lives.

In a petition received by the Office of the President on Dec. 23, 2025—a copy of which was obtained by the Manila Bulletin during the Manila Bay Reclamation Convergence Conversation forum held in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday, Jan. 14—the groups objected to 10 proposed reclamation projects in Manila Bay planned between Rizal Park and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Flooding to worsen

The petitioners said the projects would “irreversibly exacerbate flooding in the City of Manila and neighboring cities" and "inevitably destroy Manila Bay as the only marine biodiversity and a cultural gem in the country's capital." They stressed that Manila is already highly vulnerable to flooding due to aging infrastructure and inadequate drainage systems, noting that reclamation areas approved by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) would be built several meters higher than existing city elevations.

According to the groups, such developments could block natural and built drainage pathways, worsening both coastal and inland flooding.

The petition also urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to disclose the findings of the Manila Bay Cumulative Impact Assessment conducted by the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation (MERF), which warned that reclamation would exacerbate flooding in low-lying Metro Manila areas.