Villar appeals to spare LPPCHEA in the plan for new Manila Airport

Sen. Cynthia A. Villar on Saturday appealed to the Aquino government and proponents of a new $10-billion international airport to spare the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA) on Roxas Boulevard.

SMC president Ramon Ang proposed to construct a completely new airport.

However, Ang declined to divulge the prospective location of the new airport amid reports it will be at LPPCHEA due to its accessibility.

Villar expressed alarm on this report, saying building a new airport in LPPCHEA is tantamount to the reclamation of one of the world's most important wetlands.

LPPCHEA has been included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, along with world-renowned Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park in Sulu and the Underground River in Palawan.

LPPCHEA, a mangrove forest and marine habitat in the cities of Las Piñas and Parañaque, serves as sanctuary for 84 bird species, including migratory birds from as far as Siberia. It is also a home to the globally endangered Philippine duck Chinese egret and black stilt. The mangrove forest will protect our cities from typhoon surge & tsunami.

The senator warned that reclaiming LPPCHEA could lead to massive flooding in the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque and the nearby Bacoor. It will deprive thousands of fishermen their livelihood.

Aside from recognizing LPPCHEA's significance to biodiversity, she stressed those behind the planned airport should also consider that the life of the people is paramount over any growth and development.

Due to this, she noted that indeed, LPPCHEA needs special protection from all forms of threats, including reclamation.

"They can build a new airport, but it should be somewhere else and not at LPPCHEA," said Villar who clarified she does not oppose the construction of an international airport. It can be in Sangley Point and /or Clark Airbase where we have already existing airports.

In fact, Villar believes a new and modern airport would decongest NAIA and improve its image in the eyes of foreign travellers.

"NAIA has always been tagged as worst airport so we must act to address this since it has adverse effects on the country's tourism industry," said Villar, a known advocate of environmental protection.

She had earlier elevated to the Supreme Court the Court of Appeals' decision dismissing her appeal for a 'writ of kalikasan' to stop reclamation at LPPCHEA.