Manila: Properly engineered reclamation is a science-backed defense against floods and climate impacts, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) said Tuesday. In a statement, the PRA noted that reclamation is not a threat but ‘a science-backed safeguard for communities.’
According to Philippines News Agency, the agency noted that recent typhoons have shown how reclamation serves as the first line of defense for Metro Manila, preventing waste and garbage from worsening floods in the capital. ‘Properly engineered reclamation is a proven solution for flood control and climate resilience,’ the PRA said, citing global models.
It pointed to Singapore’s elevated reclaimed land, engineered shorelines, and advanced drainage systems as examples of successful climate adaptation that protect communities from storm surges, heavy rains, and rising seas. ‘The PRA applies these same globally recognized principles to safeguard Filipino families,’ it said.
The agency also asserted its exclusive mandate under the Office of the President, saying that the PRA is the sole government authority to define, regulate, and approve reclamation projects, and that ‘no other agency can legally determine or classify land as reclamation.’
To strengthen its technical capacity, the PRA said its officers visited Erasmus University in Rotterdam in May 2025 to gain insights for urban development while ensuring environmental preservation. Just this month, the agency held a technical briefing with Singapore’s Surbana Jurong to learn advanced coastal engineering and flood management strategies.
The PRA likewise underscored its enforcement function, saying it has the ‘duty to stop illegal reclamation.’ It recalled calling out unlawful activities in Laguna de Bay earlier this year and has since established a dedicated task force to pursue and stop these illegal operations – a direct rebuttal to claims that reclamation activities are unregulated.
The agency assured it remains committed to public safety and its goal of ‘defending the national interest and making the Philippines always ready for climate challenges.’
