Parañaque businesses laud Olivarez’s push for stricter reclamation requirements
The city council of Parañaque recently passed an ordinance, under the guidance of Mayor Eric Olivarez, which mandates all reclamation projects in the city to maintain an adequate water channel for better coastal preservation and protection. This move received praises from the local business community.
Parañaque City Ordinance no. 182 s. 2024, also known as “An Ordinance Mandating To Maintain An Adequate Water Channel Of Not Less Than Two Hundred (200) Meters From The Existing Main Land Or Foreshore For Any Land Reclamation Projects Along The Coastal Area Within The Territorial Jurisdiction Of The City Of Parañaque” was unanimously approved during a recent session of the City Council. Representatives from the business community who were in attendance likewise expressed their full support and appreciation for the measure.
Among those present were representatives from the D.M. Wenceslao Group, the company responsible for Aseana City. The group hailed the council for recognizing the importance of establishing clear boundaries and guidelines in reclamation projects to protect the city’s affected shoreline and the communities. Company officials from SM Smart City likewise commended Olivarez and Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte for proactively involving key stakeholders from the business community in the decision-making process.
The City Council saw fit to draft the ordinance due to concerns regarding the negative effects of reclamation projects with requirements that do not take coastal preservation into account. “We have seen the negative effects of uncontrolled reclamation in other areas,” noted Councilor Marvin Santos. “Apart from discouraging consumer activity in waterfront establishments, there are environmental and structural consequences that need to be carefully weighed and considered,” he further added.
Previously, Olivarez supported a city delegation composed of council members and department heads in an official visit to the Netherlands to learn about global best practices in environmental management, coastal preservation, and sustainable development. Given the lessons and recommendations from their Dutch counterparts, the city officials determined that a 200-meter water channel from the foreshore of planned reclamation developments is a necessity.
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