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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.

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