JV Ejercito calls for strategic pumping stations in reclamation projects after Luzon floods
April 08, 2023
With the recent floods that have ravaged some
areas in Luzon, caused by the combination of Super Typhoon Egay and the
southwest monsoon, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said on Friday that it
is imperative for the national government to install strategically positioned
pumping stations within reclamation projects, including the controversial
Dolomite project in Manila Bay.
“Kailangan lang na may pumping stations and
all these things that need to be there to make sure that the water will still
be able to flow through papuntang Manila Bay,” Ejercito said, adding that it is
necessary that while this reclamation is being carried out, the pumping
stations should also be established simultaneously.
“I bike regularly diyan sa Mall of Asia bago
ako pumasok sa office. Nakikita ko nga ‘yung mga barko parami nang parami at
palapit nang palapit. Ang dami nila. Siguro 30 to 50 na barko. Tuloy tuloy
‘yung paglalagay ng buhangin,” Ejercito said.
“Nalulungkot din ako. Nakita ko yung Sofitel,
yung Coconut Palace sa likod, dati ang ganda ganda mag-wedding diyan. Ganda ng
background mo, sea view, ngayon wala na, buhangin na rin. Personally ako, I’m
sad because mawawala na yung beauty ng Manila Bay.”
Dolomite Beach is a man-made beach on Manila
Bay in Manila. It is the effort of the government to protect the coast called
the Manila Bay Rehabilitation project. Once finished, the beach will stretch
for 900 meters along Manila Baywalk.
The rehabilitation project was approved by
Congress under the 2019 General Appropriations Act. The government started its
implementation in January 2020.
Ejercito added that he will ask the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as part of the budget hearing,
whether these reclamation projects encompass the comprehensive management of
sewerage, water, drainage, and pumping stations.
“Palagay ko ‘yan ‘yung dapat pag-aralan at
tingnan. We will also ask that during the budget season kung itong mga
reclamation projects, does it include ‘yung management nung sewerage, nung
water, drainage, pumping stations, kasama ba ‘yun? Kasi kung hindi, magbabaha
din given the example of Dolomite,” he said.
The lawmaker from San Juan said he hopes that
the DENR and other responsible agencies would diligently strive to minimize the
environmental repercussions.
“I’m hoping na yung environmental assessment
ng lahat ng iyan ay sana ay dumaan sa proseso,” he said.