Saying Goodbye to Roxas Blvd?

[buster]

This came to me along with request to post from a few of our friends. It raises some pointed Heritage issues:

Please help pass around to get a lot of petitions. Thanks. D

("D" is Doris Ho, of Magsaysay Lines - owners of Sun Cruises.)

______________________________

"Sunset on Manila Bay is a spectacular experience, and is free for all to enjoy. But not for long, if developers have their way.

In 1992, a group called “Manila Goldcoast Development Corp.” lobbied for approval to reclaim the entire Manila Bay waterfront along Roxas Boulevard, between the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the US Embassy. This scheme was challenged by citizens, who fought to preserve the last remaining access to the bay along Manila's historical district. The citizens won. The Manila City Council passed City Ordinance No. 7777, prohibiting reclamation in this area.

However, Goldcoast was, tragically, able to get City Ordinance No. 7777 repealed. In February 2011, City Ordinance No. 8233 reversed the prohibition. A consortium agreement was signed in April 2012 to reclaim the same waterfront along Roxas Boulevard, about 288 hectares of land, even swallowing up the Manila Yacht Club and the Philippine Navy Headquarters.

In addition to blocking the view of the sunset from Malate and Ermita, the reclamation will worsen floods, extinguish the tourism area along Roxas Boulevard, destroy the potential of our historic Intramuros, remove 20 vital anchorage berths for ships and most of all, take away from us a waterfront we all love.

No aspect of this scheme will improve the City of Manila in any discernible way. It is all for the profit of a few individuals.

We must act to protest this reclamation and prevent further destruction and loss of our heritage. We will stop them again.

Sign the petition: www.change.org/petitions/s-o-s-manila-bay-save-our-sunset-stop-the-reclamation-of-manila-bay

Learn more about the issue: www.facebook.com/savemanilabay

______________________________

Typically of anything in Manila politics, there's mud being flung in all directions, and so I have added this, which appeared in the INQUIRER a few months back:

MANILA, Philippines—A reclamation project on Manila Bay that has been scuttled since 1991 is back on the table, with Manila executives entering into a consortium agreement to develop 148 hectares of the bay.

The agreement, which the city executives entered into with Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. on April 17, would be the first step to develop into a “business center” the southern parcel of the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road Reclamation (MCCRRP) North Sector Reclamation Project (NSRP), a copy of the consortium agreement showed.

The project area covers the southern end of Manila Bay in the city, including portions fronting the Manila Yacht Club and the Philippine Navy.

In March 1991, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), then the Public Estates Authority, actually issued to Goldcoast’s parent company, the Elco Development & Construction Corp., a notice of award allowing the latter to “reclaim and develop” the southern parcel of the MNSRP.

But in 1992, an ordinance was passed prohibiting any reclamation in the area in a bid to preserve the bay. The Office of the President ordered the project deferred.

With Goldcoast’s constant follow-up over the years, and with an executive order in 2006 giving approval powers of reclamation projects back to the PRA, the PRA on April 1 last year finally reaffirmed the 1991 awarding of the project to Goldcoast. The city council also passed Ordinance No. 8233 authorizing Lim to apply for the reclamation with the PRA and effectively repealing the ordinance banning reclamation on the Bay.

The city government only entered into the agreement with Goldcoast on the condition the city be included in the “consortium” undertaking the project and would “be given an equitable share in the reclaimed land.”

Goldcoast will fund and execute the reclamation and provide construction facilities, while the city has agreed to provide utilities, facilitate right of way, and assist in importing or exporting construction tools and even labor.

A management committee will be set up composed of three representatives each from Goldcoast and the city.
Sharing of the consortium proceeds would be 70.55 percent for Goldcoast, and 29.45 percent for the city, the agreement showed.
On Tuesday, the city council began mulling the passage of a resolution ratifying the agreement, acting on an urgent request from the office of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. The issue was referred to the Committee on Laws.

______________________________

Already, as they say in the classics, "the thick plottens!"

[buster]

From Asian Journal - the Philippine-American Community Newspaper published in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas & New York.

Pinoy netizens oppose Manila Bay reclamation projects

LOS ANGELES – It is almost common knowledge in the Philippines that the Manila Bay is one of the top tourist attractions in the nation’s capital. Tourists and locals alike flock to the bay walk along Roxas Boulevard, to enjoy one of the most legendary sunsets in the world.

In the wake of initiatives to reclaim portions of the bay for possible future infrastructure developments, the Manila Bay has become the epicenter for a broiling dispute between concerned “netizens” and real estate development conglomerates. The term “netizens” refer to the growing population of citizens who advocate their causes using the Internet.

Leading the pack is a group page on Facebook founded on August 24 this year. Named SOS Manila Bay, the group’s banner image carried the words: “Save our Sunset! No to Reclamation of Manila Bay!”

On the other side of the argument is real estate development firm Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. (Goldcoast), and the City Government of Manila. Both parties (the Manila City Government and Goldcoast) have entered into a consortium agreement on the development of this project, signed April 17, 2012.

A history of dispute

The history of this dispute for the reclamation project goes back all the way to 1990. That year, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), then known as the Public Estates Authority, announced that it was accepting proposals for infrastructure development on the areas to be reclaimed along Manila Bay. Among the firms that applied for this was Elco Development & Construction Corporation (EDCC).

On February 27, 1991, the PRA endorsed the reclamation proposals to the Office of the President, stating that they “approved in principle the proposed Manila Bay reclamation project.”

On March 21, 1991, the PRA issued to EDCC a “Notice of Award to reclaim and develop the Southern Parcel of the Project involving 134 hectares more or less, and the Manila Yacht Club area involving 14 hectares more or less.”

On June 6, 1991, by virtue of a Deed of Assignment, EDCC assigned all its rights and obligations to Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. (Goldcoast), effectively organizing a bigger capitalized corporation that can can handle the responsibilities of the reclamation development project.

The PRA’s Notice of Award was met by staunch opposition from concerned citizens, as well as the City itself. They contested the reclamation initiative, seeking to preserve the remaining accessible portion of the bay along Manila’s business district.

In December 1992, the City Government of Manila enacted Ordinance no. 7777, an ordinance “prohibiting any form of reclamation, from the US Embassy to the Cultural Center of the Philippines.” The Ordninance took effect on January 1993.

In 2007, City Mayor Alfredo S. Lim further stressed the importance of Manila Bay when he ordered the removal of restaurants, bars, and bistros that littered the once serene bay walk. Lim’s critics at that time viewed this as a move to antagonize former Mayor Lito Atienza, who was widely viewed as the proponent behind the proliferation of the small businesses along the bay walk.

In a news report by 24 Oras, Mayor Lim said that his sole intention was to preserve the view of the “Manila Bay sunset and the Manila Bay waters.”

A change in decision

However, on May 2011, it seemed that the Manila City Government began humming a different tune. After much lobbying by Goldcoast, the City enacted Ordinance 8233, effectively repealing Ordinance 7777 and practically consenting to the reclamation proposals. Ordinance 8233 seeks to authorize “the City of Manila, through Mayor Lim, to file an application with the Philippine Reclamation Authority to reclaim certain portions of Manila Bay.”

In one fell swoop, the City Council, led by Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who is sitting Presiding Officer, overturned a law that was ratified almost two decades ago. Ironically, Mayor Lim, who approved Ordinance 8233, was also one of the original signatories for Ordinance 7777 in 1992.

On July 12, 2011, Goldcoast and the City Government wrote to the PRA, declaring their interest in jointly undertaking the reclamation project with the PRA.

Upon further inspection of Section 3 the consortium agreement, it can be found that the City agreed to a “pooling of resources,” and to “provide funds, services, assets, or a combination thereof” in implementing the project.

Disputed contract

The SOS Manila Bay group has disputed this move by the City Government, saying that “in addition to blocking the view of the sunset from Malate and Ermita, the reclamation will worsen floods, extinguish the tourism area along Roxas Boulevard, destroy the potential of our historic Intramuros, remove 20 vital anchorage berths for ships and most of all, take away from us a waterfront we all love.”

They have further pointed out dubious clauses in the consortium agreement that requires confidentiality from both parties. In Section 9.3 of the agreement, it is stipulates that “none of the parties shall disclose this Agreement or any of its content to any third person” and that both parties are to “maintain all such information in confidence.”

SOS Manila Bay contended that with the City Government being a signatory in the contract, it makes this consortium agreement a government contract. And with the 1987 Constitution being biased towards transparency and public accountability, the group claims that a confidentiality clause should not exist in this contract. With these confidentiality clauses, SOS Manila Bay raised the question on whether or not the Manila City Government is hiding some questionable details to this agreement.

The group goes on to say that proposals which have a broad impact on the community should not be shrouded in secrecy, and should be subject to public discussion which involves experts in the field.

Campaign to rally support

The SOS Manila Bay group started an online signature campaign to rally support from other concerned citizens. Supporters who wish to join the cause will affix their electronic signatures to a letter addressed to Mayor Lim. This letter says that petitioners believe that “no aspect of this scheme will improve the City of Manila in any discernible way – it is all for the profit of a few individuals.”

“We sign to protest this reclamation and prevent further destruction and loss of our heritage.”

Concerned individuals may get in touch with the SOS Manila Bay group through www.facebook.com/savemanilabay, and join the online signature campaign at www.change.org/petitions/s-o-s-manila-bay-save-our-sunset-stop-the-reclamation-of-manila-bay.

[okla]

Hell Buster.....I betcha many Pesos will change hands during this whole mess. I predict the "mucho Dinero" forces will prevail as they usually do, regardless of location on this Planet, in the ugly finale. I am a born pessimist, so maybe/hopefully the "good guys" will prevail eventually. Let us pray that this is so. Cheers.

[darthdract]

Not good this could also mean no more Photo Studies for me.

[Bob Hudson]

Well, if the fight is lost, one can walk behind the Mall of Asia, take a ride in that monster Ferris wheel and snap photos. I live in Limay. On a clear day, I can see Manila, but I can see the debris on our shores that come from God knows where. I could make a lot of money opening a Flip flop store if I could find a matching pair on the beach. There are tens of thousands of them daily. This is progress. I try not to say anything of a political nature because I'm a foreigner but as in any other progressive country, the needs and wants of the people take a back seat to the engine of the economy. I have walked Roxas Blvd. myself and the shock of the loss will not take its full form until it is gone. The once Pearl of the Orient will take another step backward and its people will have one more thing to lament.

[okla]

Hey Bob....Having never been to Manila nor the PI, I am guessing/thinking that Roxas Blvd/Ave is what was once known as Dewey Blvd. Am I correct in this assumption? Whatever the former name, this development thing is bad news, in my humble if it, indeed, comes to fruition. Cheers.

[Bob Hudson]

Yes Roxas Blvd was once known as Dewey Blvd as you stated. The part in question runs from the U.S. Embassy to the north which is across the street from the infamous Bayview Hotel to the Cultural Center of the Philippines on the south. It is a nice stroll with an unobstructed view of Manila Bay. The only area in Manila that is. I've walked it but can't really say for sure how long the walk is. I believe one of the areas lost if development reigns, is the area where Sun Cruises berths its Ferries that take tourists to Corregidor. This is a guess. I do not get to Manila that often. I live in Limay, directly across the bay from Manila/Makati, about 35 miles as a crow flies. It , however, it is a three and a half hour bus ride there from here because the bus must travel northward, up around the northern part of the bay and back down. The roads here are nothing to brag about and the traffic is something I do not wish to drive in. I learned to drive in East LA but driving in Manila is something I won't attempt. I don't have the courage or the patience anymore.

[okla]

Hey Bob....One more question pertaining to Geography of the PI, if I may. Limay is located on the route of the Bataan Death March, as I understand it. Somebody, recently, told me that a newer highway/road/etc runs parallel to the original route, north toward Layac Junction. Is this true? One more thing. I have a friend who, about 20 years or more ago, who was involved in the design and construction of an Oil Refinery?,etc in one of those cities located along the East coast of Bataan Peninsula. maybe Orion, Limay, Abucay? When I asked him about the Bataan Death March, he wasn't familiar with the tragic event at all. He was vaguely familiar with there being some WW 2 fighting in the area. Can you believe it? This guy was a college educated Engineer. Some of those types know all there is to know about Mathematics,etc, but History "ain't their bag", as I have learned. Cheers.

[Bob Hudson]

Limay lies on the West Coast of Manila Bay about 24 kilometers north of Mariveles. The old National Road where the Death March took place runs through Limay. Marker # 25 is about 300 yards from where I live. Limay is where the refinery is at about Death March marker #21. It is called "Petron" and is the largest employer in these parts. It is 2-3 kilometers south of my home.
There is a National Highway which runs parallel and one kilometer west of the National Road. They intersect in a couple of places just north of here. The Death March route which runs close to the coast of Manila Bay snakes it ways northward from here. Limay is known for The main QM dump on Bataan and for where Bataan Hospital # 1 was. Hospital # 2 was a few kilometers south in Cabcaben.

Orion is the next city north of us, about six kilometers away and it is famous for the picture of Japanese soldiers with their arms outstretched yelling Bonsai. In that photo, one can barely make out Mt. Samat to the west. Every few kilometers was a city during the March. Mariveles, Cabcaben, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, the capitol of Bataan, Abucay, Samal Orani, Hermosa and Dinalupihan and then the March turned eastward out of the province of Bataan into the province of Pampanga where San Fernando is.
From Mariveles to about kilometer # 7 the March was all uphill and for some, the hardest part of the March. Limay is where the real brutality of POW's began and continued.

Today Limay is a small community of 70,000 at the base of Mt. Mariveles, Mt Bataan laying just to the west of Mt. Mariveles. The people are friendly towards me to the point of embarrassment at times. Filipinos love Americans and will for many years. They emulate us in many ways. My fiances daughter who is ten years old and in 4th grade, is not allowed to speak in Tagalog, only English in school as are all students. After living here seven months, I can say I have yet to run into any rudeness. Only the overly friendly and curious people who are eager to be around an American. This does not happen in Manila, Subic Bay or the Area around Clark air base because of the numerous Americans who live there. People here address me as Sir even after I ask them to just call me Bob. It's too disrespectful. I love Filipinos more than I can say.

[okla]

Hey Bob....Grateful for the concise briefing. It beats just staring at a map. In regard to Hospital #1 being located at Limay. If memory serves, it had to be relocated further south to "Little Baguio" (West of Cabcaben) due to Limay being too close to the MLR. Sounds to me like you live in a very desirable locale. It's always great to be liked/appreciated by one's neighbors. What few Filipinos I know or have known were fine people. One of my buddies from college is married to a Filipina from Negros. My Squadron Supply Officer, at one time, was an ex-Scout/guerrilla who remained in the US Army after V-J Day, and transferred into the USAF in 1947. Warrant Officer "Lono" was an excellent Officer and person. I have always said that Filipinos were not only close Allies during the Pacific conflict, but they actually shared the same "foxhole". To my knowledge, this didn't occur in any other Theatre. I appreciate your response to my queries. Cheers.