Philippines

Senator Cynthia Villar plans to take developers involved in Manila Bay reclamation projects to the Supreme Court over fears that these would cause massive flooding in her bailiwick, Las Piñas.

Citing forecasts, Villar said Las Piñas might be submerged in at least six feet of water once the reclamation projects are completed because floods will have difficulty flowing through Manila Bay.

“I’m taking them [to the Supreme Court.] If they don’t revise [their plan], we have no choice. Will I allow my hometown to be submerged in a six-foot flood?” she said.

“If they continue with the reclamation in our part of Manila Bay, there will be no outlet for our four rivers. It was predicted that there will be six to eight meters of flooding. Six meters is a three-story building,” Villar added.

The wife of the Philippines’ richest man, Manny Villar, said the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, which she chairs, will conduct an investigation soon about the reclamation projects in Manila Bay.