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Philippines’ Duterte Rejects Reclamation Projects in Manila Bay

Philippines’ Duterte Rejects Reclamation Projects in Manila Bay

(Bloomberg) -- President Rodrigo Duterte said he will not not allow private sector-initiated “massive reclamation” projects in Manila Bay because they are environmentally destructive and will “choke” the capital.

Reclamation will be limited to government-related projects and those already approved by the Philippine Reclamation Authority, according to the transcript of Duterte’s speech Saturday at the inauguration of of the Sangley Airport project in Cavite City, south of Manila.

“Not during my time,” Duterte said. “I will not allow massive reclamation for the private sector. Because if I -- if you approve one, you approve all. That’s how it is. When you govern you try to be --- at least you try very hard to be equal and fair. But if I do that, of which I am wont to do, I will choke Manila.”

The latest property boom in the Philippines has spawned a number of proposals from private developers to reclaim land along Manila Bay. There are 25 proposed projects to reclaim 10,000 hectares from Navotas City, north of Manila, to Cavite, a province south of the capital, the ManilaStandard reports.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ian Sayson in Manila at isayson@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Lianting Tu at ltu4@bloomberg.net, Stanley James, Jake Lloyd-Smith

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