The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) signed agreements that will advance aviation and maritime infrastructure development, while promoting environmental protection.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the DOTr to partner with concerned agencies to balance transport infrastructure expansion with environmental sustainability.
Under the agreements, the DOTr and DENR-ERDB will partner for the implementation and monitoring of the project “Development of Science-based Procedure for Earth-balling of Mangroves” in Leyte. This includes the relocation of mangroves that will be affected by the construction of the shore protection and perimeter road in the vicinity of Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport.
Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Jim Sydiongco noted that the relocation of mangroves within the vicinity of Tacloban Airport will be crucial to prevent bird strikes.
“Balancing airport capacity with environmental sustainability requires inter-agency cooperation, which is why we coordinated with the DENR on how we can proceed with the expansion without sacrificing the environment. With careful planning and investment, we can complement airport development with environmental sustainability,” Usec. Sydiongco said.
The two agencies will likewise jointly develop further studies related to both conservation of mangroves and enhancement of operational capacity of the New Cebu International Container Port.
Transportation Assistant Secretary for Maritime Villamor Plan said that the DOTr has partnered with the DENR-ERDB to ensure that the mangroves affected by the construction of the New Cebu International Container Port will be relocated to coastal areas where they can thrive.
“This is a significant step to balance infrastructure development with environmental protection. The mangrove earth balling activity for the New Cebu International Container Port Project demonstrates our shared responsibility to protect our coastal and marine ecosystems, while pursuing the development of vital infrastructure for our country,” Asec. Plan said.
Meanwhile, DENR-ERDB Director Lormelyn Claudio said infrastructure development and protecting the environment require a whole-of-nation approach by balancing the pressing need for capacity expansion with the equally important goal of environmental sustainability.
“Under this administration, whole-of-nation approach ang gusto natin so we need to work now. The best thing that we should do is earth balling, which is the right procedure and is allowed by law. But there has to be a right way to do it [for both the economy and environment],” Dir. Claudio said.
