PRA: No approval for SM’s Paranaque reclamation project

MANILA – The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) said the SM Group’s Paranaque reclamation project doesn’t have government approval just like the company’s proposal in neighboring Pasay.

The agency said it hasn’t received any application or technical or feasibility study for the Paranaque proposal.

“All reclamation projects are to be approved by NEDA, duly recommended by PRA. Said project has not been approved,” said PRA head Peter Abaya.

Paranaque announced it reached an agreement with SM on November 13 and is giving rival bidders until December 1 to express their interest. A January 5 deadline has been set for rival bids.

BusinessWorld reports that Ayala said the deadline is tight given the size of the project of 130 hectares.

Ayala filed a similar complaint against SM’s Pasay proposal, helping draw the PRA into the fray and freezing that project.

The PRA said it and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) have sole authority over all reclamation projects. — ANC