The total economic value of destroyed coral reefs from the ongoing reclamation activities of China in the West Philippine Sea has reached US$352,249 per hectare of coral reef, equivalent to an economic loss of US$108.9 million per year. This was revealed in a study by University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) Prof. Emeritus and national scientist Dr. Edgardo Gomez. Gomez noted that the estimate is still “very conservative” considering the ongoing reclamation or “ocean filling” activities of China. “This (amount) increases by the day as reclamation goes on,” he added.

de Vera, E., & Namit, M. S. (2015, April 24). 'Ocean filling' activities cost US$108.9 M per year - study. Manila Bulletin, pp.1, 16.