An environmental coalition said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order directing the Philippine Coast Guard to inspect dredging vessels in Manila Bay came late amid mounting environmental and security concerns.
Alyansa Tigil Mina described the directive as long overdue after the President ordered inspections following reports questioning vessel identity, ownership, and legal compliance in Manila Bay waters.
The directive followed disclosures by a maritime security analyst that a Chinese-origin dredger repeatedly altered transmitted identities while shuttling between Manila Bay reclamation sites and Zambales dredging areas.
Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of the group, said inspections alone were insufficient, arguing dredging activities should be suspended whether linked to reclamation projects or river dredging operations.
“PBBM should have not only ordered the inspection of these dredgers but also suspended all dredging activities whether they are for reclamation projects or river dredging.”
Garganera said alleged violations extended beyond security risks, citing permit breaches, dredging beyond authorized zones, and the use of river permits for prohibited seabed quarrying.
“We have previously aired our suspicion that the sand taken from Zambales, and other areas like Mindoro, are being used for the Manila Bay reclamation projects.”
He said communities have reported Chinese vessels in local waters for years, adding the administration failed to investigate or act decisively on those complaints.
“Violations of permits and environmental clearances must eventually lead to the suspension, and even cancellation, of all existing projects,” he said, emphasizing accountability and enforcement measures.
He urged local governments to remain vigilant, warning dredging threatens livelihoods and fragile ecosystems in areas including MacArthur, Leyte, and disaster-scarred Marinduque following past mining damage.
