May 17, 2011

Hon. Ramon J.P. Paje
Secretary, Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR)
Republic of the Philippines

Subject: Request for Response to Request for meeting and discussion regarding LPPCHEA

Dear Sec. Paje,

Last March 25, 2011, members of the Interim Manila Bay Critical Habitat Management Council and Technical Working Group sent your good office the attached letter requesting you to consider not approving the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) request for reclamation in the area facing the sea from the Las Pinas Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area.

We also asked you for a meeting to discuss our findings on the EIA and the dangers of such a reclamation project, not just on biodiversity in the area, but also on any subsequent development that may be put up in the location.

May we reiterate our request for a meeting with you and positive action on your part regarding protecting the best interest of environment, people, coastal management which feeds proper urban development. This discussion will especially be critical in the light of climate change, as well as issues regarding Manila Bay itself.

We look forward to your making time for this meeting, as well as your affirmation of environmentally sound decision making by recalling the ECC that was issued with less than adequate consideration for reclamation’s impact on the LPPCHEA. We would also appreciate that we meet you before we convene members of the Council and prior to the events that we are organizing in the area as part of Environment Month activities in June 2011. We can be reached through email at myckle224@yahoo.com or landline 7114843 or mobile number 09178673667.

Sincerely yours,

Michael C. Lu
President
Wild Bird Club of the Philippines