President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order transferring the power to approve reclamation projects to the Office of the President. Duterte signed on Feb. 1 EO No. 74 transferring the Philippine Reclamation Authority to the OP. The President’s move to transfer the PRA under the OP came just as Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada approved three reclamation projects along the Manila Bay. Leftist lawmakers have also warned that the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate Manila bay was just a prelude for the rise of reclamation projects in the famed body of water.

Duterte transfers power to approve reclamation projects to his office. (2019, February 5). The Daily Guardian, p. 12.