"Manila’s new China-backed airport bogged down by land reclamation controversy", 30 October 2020

Officials in Cavite, a commuter town across the bay from the Philippines’ congested capital Manila, are planning a new international airport and waterside residential communities along the mangrove-lined coastline that protects the area from high tides and storm surges. [...]

At least 700 families living in informal fishing communities say their livelihoods, homes and the region’s environment will be destroyed by the developments.

Sealed deal

City officials have awarded contracts to a major Chinese construction firm, ignoring calls from experts and environmental and citizen advocates for sustainable development in the vulnerable area. 

President Duterte has given mixed messages on land reclamation projects in Manila Bay. [...] And the same day, Remulla’s office awarded a contract for the first phase of expansion of the existing airport into the much larger Sangley Point International Airport, located at the tip of Cavite City, to a consortium backed by China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCC). The new airport will require major land reclamation. [...]

Residents and activists say neighbouring developments on reclaimed land also threaten the area’s environment. [...]

Exploiting the pandemic

“We feel that they did that because they know we can’t do anything about it,” said Myrna Candinato, president of the community organisation Alyansa Magdaragat sa Bacoor.

Duterte’s government has prioritised its Build, Build, Build programme during the pandemic despite growing civic opposition. Critics have been silenced by the new anti-terror law, which allows the government to decide who is a terrorist. [...]

Community members in Bacoor said the police were patrolling early in the morning to monitor community leaders opposed to the reclamation project. [...]