Manila: Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to intensify its examination of reclamation, quarrying, mining, and land conversion projects, cautioning that their cumulative impact could exacerbate flooding during periods of extreme rainfall.
According to Philippines News Agency, Pangilinan emphasized that environmental permits should not be misconstrued as licenses for developments that might compromise essential ecological areas such as watersheds, waterways, wetlands, and coastlines. He highlighted the issue of rapid urbanization which diminishes areas naturally capable of absorbing and channeling floodwaters.
He referenced a DENR cumulative impact assessment of ongoing reclamation projects in Greater Metro Manila, which flagged a potential 'bottleneck' in the discharge of floodwaters into Manila Bay. Pangilinan argued that this finding underscores the necessity of evaluating projects collectively rather than on an individual basis, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their combined impact on watersheds or bays.
Pangilinan further noted that water does not adhere to political or project boundaries, nor does it respect environmental compliance certificates. Therefore, he insisted that the DENR should consider the entire watershed, spanning from mountains and rivers to urban areas and Manila Bay, before approving projects that permanently alter water flow.
In addition to reclamation, Pangilinan pointed out that quarrying could worsen flooding in affected regions, while the spread of urbanization and increased paved surfaces hinder rainwater absorption. He advocated for stricter scrutiny of land conversion, especially when agricultural lands, wetlands, and floodplains are transformed into subdivisions, roads, warehouses, and commercial developments.
To mitigate these issues, Pangilinan proposed the establishment of no-go zones for critical ecological areas, as well as the implementation of transparent cumulative flood-impact studies for proposed developments. He also called for enhanced monitoring of quarrying and mining operations, with the possibility of suspending or revoking permits if environmental safeguards are breached.
Pangilinan concluded by asserting that it is unsustainable to continue engineering solutions to flooding while simultaneously approving developments that eliminate crucial natural areas. He also indicated that the DENR's enforcement of environmental laws would be scrutinized during discussions on the proposed 2027 national budget, with a focus on the proper allocation of funds for various anti-pollution laws aimed at safeguarding natural resources.
