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Transcript
00:00 The Senate questioned why the Manila Bay Reclamation Project was allowed to be part of the Chinese company that first made artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea.
00:10 In defense of the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the company was granted clearance from several government agencies.
00:16 The Baki Pulido was found guilty.
00:18 Senator Riza Ontiveros asked the Philippine Reclamation Authority in the Senate hearing earlier,
00:27 "Why was the Manila Bay Reclamation Project allowed to be part of the China Communications and Construction Company?"
00:33 "This is the company that made artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, which is now a military base of China."
00:39 "Even before we allowed the operations of these contractors from China, we required these contractors to secure a special permit under the rules of the marina."
00:54 "They have submitted a clearance from the Coast Guard, from the marina, and also during that time, an endorsement from the National Security Council."
01:04 "We are still trying to get the clearance from the marina and the Philippine Coast Guard."
01:10 "Under Secretary Jonathan Malaya, the last head of the National Security Council gave a special permit, so they cannot answer on this."
01:18 "The PRA said that the Chinese construction company had an issue when the project was approved."
01:23 "During that time, actually ma'am, there was no issue unlike when they were already undertaking that there was an issue and it was raised by the U.S. Embassy and the World Bank."
01:37 The DENR has yet to say if they will recommend to completely stop the Manila Bay Reclamation Projects that are suspended now.
01:44 It will take a year before they finish their environmental impact study.
01:50 But it's clear from an expert who is a member of the core group of the impact study, how important coastal areas are.
01:57 Twenty-seven percent of the last fish or one-fourth of the country's food security is in coastal areas.
02:03 "Not only coral reefs are being protected, but also sea grass and mangrove. Sea grass and mangrove are the first to be affected by reclamation."
02:13 The group of senators said that the foundation of the reclaimed areas is weak due to liquefaction or the softening of the soil, so it's dangerous if there's an earthquake.
02:23 Flooding is also possible because it will block the natural flow of rivers and it's not safe from storm surge.
02:30 "In every disaster movie, there's always scientists at the beginning warning the people and the government of the effects. So hopefully this is not a disaster movie that we're watching right now."
02:43 For GMA Integrated News, Macky Pulido, for Tutok 24 Horas.
02:48 [music]

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