New Manila International Airport: Flight or Plight?

 By: Sophia Arellano

As the 21st century opens the gate for modernization opportunities, the Philippines is thriving to be in the race for progress. Aiming for economic growth that would position the country to be globally competitive, the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) is one of the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) projects that aim to make the Philippines' economy soar.

As a huge project, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) sees NMIA as a solution to relieve congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). NAIA, with 140,000 daily passengers, projects its annual passenger volume to reach 50 million by 2023, exceeding its expected annual capacity by 20 million. The government sees NMIA as the answer to address this issue and pave the way for the Philippines to prosper.

Yet, beneath the facade of potential economic growth, the project unfolds a complex narrative marked by displacement, environmental concerns, and perceived shortcomings in inclusivity.

NMIA, funded by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), is the largest private infrastructure investment in the Philippines, with a budget of P740 billion and a target full commencement in 2027. While the goal is to boost the economy and relieve the demands of NAIA, the project's wide impact on local communities, notably in Bulacan, has been and still a topic for numerous discussions.

Fisherfolk in Bulacan are at the core of this economic activity. Displaced during the COVID-19 pandemic, families in the coastal area such as in Taliptip, were urged and demanded by SMC personnel to self-demolish their homes. Their relocation is also a threat to their livelihoods, as their livelihood depends on the sea. Moreover, the relocation procedure, which took place in less than a week during lockdown months, lacked transparency and notably did not include the community in discussions and considerations, resulting in accusations of intimidation and military red-tagging.

Aside from displacement, the first years of construction of NMIA showed its environmental effects in the area. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) closely monitors the project to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

In 2019, the environmental activist group Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) criticized NMIA, labeling it as a potential threat to the Manila Bay ecosystem, leading them to file a petition that was denied by the Supreme Court.

However, amidst being criticized for its environmental effect and displacement discourses during the construction of the project, Ramon S. Ang, President and CEO of SMC, claims that NMIA is not a land reclamation project and it is in track with the compliance of environmental law. Ang contends that the flood mitigation measures of the project are being followed as the construction continues.

Despite SMC's claims of strong environmental standards, critics claim that the project would result in the loss of mangrove forests that play a crucial role in flood prevention. In case of loss, experts fear potential increasing floods in Bulacan.

While SMC has undertaken initiatives such as cleanup of rivers and desilting, environmentalists remain concerned about the extent to which these actions effectively offset environmental damage.

Underlining the importance of thorough government monitoring of the project's compliance with environmental law, critics' skepticism persists. Despite the project being covered by Republic Act 11506 and fully supported by the Bulacan LGU, environmentalists' concerns about mangrove damage, damage to people's livelihoods, and vulnerability to geohazards urge the government agencies involved to conduct a thorough investigation into the project's environmental impact.

Moreover, as concerns escalate, the Supreme Court's decline of the writ of Kalikasan petition in 2021 raises worries about how affected persons might express their concerns. The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the 95-page petition for the airport project filed by displaced fisherfolks for being insufficient in form and substance and lacking official complaints.

The government's role, working hand-in-hand with SMC and granting them the concession agreement for 50 years, raises concerns about the transparency of the approval process and the inclusion of the affected community. As a result, despite opposition, some residents accepted monetary offers due to the perceived hopelessness of the conflict and their concern for family needs and safety.

As the Philippine government traverses the complex terrain of the NMIA project, it is critical to balance the predicted financial benefits against the human and environmental costs. The plight of displaced families, potential environmental consequences, and the need for transparent and inclusive decision-making processes should not be concealed by the promise of economic growth, as there is more growth in a weighted economic and social-environmental responsibility.