By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Before we bid 2024 goodbye tonight, this corner would like to shine a spotlight on an oft-neglected issue: the fate of Manila Bay.
This historic bay with the enduring beauty of sunsets has always been more than just a body of water; it is a national symbol of resilience, a muse to artists, and the backdrop to countless Filipino memories.
In fact, many times have I and my family — and, perhaps, yours — spent the Christmas “salubong” or New Year’s Eve at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex or at the Philippine Plaza Hotel (Sofitel) to bear witness to the birth of a new year from this scenic perspective of fireworks painted like starlights on the water.
Mid this year, Sofitel permanently closed its doors its once-radiant and iconic waterfront view irreparably marred by the relentless intrusion of dredging machines and reclamation equipment that turned its “waterfront yard” into a barren construction zone.
This closure is not just the loss of a beloved institution but a glaring symbol of what is at stake for Manila Bay.
Despite its cultural and sentimental significance, the bay is being systematically transformed into a commercial zone that promises much progress. I question, though, the costs at which this kind of development is undertaken.
We have to be wary of potential marine ecosystem devastation. And what about fisherfolk who cry about their displacement?
These are the very reasons why President Bongbong Marcos suspended Manila Bay reclamation projects in August 2023. It is our concern to find out the gravity of the contention on unchecked ecological impacts.
While this suspension was a welcome move, the promised transparency has yet to materialize. A critical environmental assessment commissioned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) remains unpublished, despite months of interim findings reportedly being available.
The delay has left the public in a vacuum of accountability, allowing debates over Manila Bay’s future to be dominated by vested interests.
Unfortunately, some advocacy groups — while loudly decrying reclamation — seem driven more by political or foreign-funded agenda than genuine environmental stewardship.
I think their selective activism also undermines the efforts of those working to find a balance between sustainable development and preservation.
As we usher in 2025, it is imperative for the government to deliver on its promises of transparency and decisive action. Manila Bay’s sunset must not become a distant memory, overshadowed by hypocrisy and inaction.
Hopefully, the better interest of Manila Bay – obviously neglected in 2024 — is included in the Marcos administration’s New Year’s resolution.
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