Senator JV Ejercito’s voice has joined the escalating chorus calling for a halt to the surge of reclamation projects in Manila Bay, which includes the Chinese-backed venture associated with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s family.
“Personally, kaya ako nababahala, nakadaan ako, naka chopper, ang laki na ng reclamation. ..Palapit na nang palapit, ang daming barko. Di ko alam kung 30 o 50 naglalagay ng buhangin,” said Ejercito in a radio interview.
“Darating ang araw, ‘di na makikita sunset kundi ang mayayaman na lang. Dati magpapahangin sa manila bay, ngayon magpapabuhangin na tayo. Alam ko marami tayong kaibigan na masasagasaan. Magbebenefit ba ang mga kababayan natin, konti lang makakapunta dyan at makakadaan at makakabili,” he added.
Ejercito said he has not discussed the reclamation project issue with fellow Senator Sherwin Gatchalian whose father, plastics king Willim Gatchalian, is spearheading a P34 billion reclamation project in Manila Bay in partnership with a subsidiary of a notorious Chinese construction firm responsible for building artificial reefs in the disputed Spratly Islands.
“Di naman natin sinisingle out. Sabi ni Senator Win yung sa kanila went through a process, yan ang dapat pagaralan. All of these developments mas mataas ang kita n’yan, ang magbebenepisyo may kaya.” said JV.
Ejercito said the government should immediately suspend all reclamation projects before the Manila Bay as most Filipinos know it is gone forever.
“Pending review and investigation dapat isuspend muna. Paano kung found in violation tapos puno na ng buhangin ang Manila Bay. I feel bad, inabutan ko noong bata ako yung charm of Manila Bay,” he added.
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