INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services, Inc (ICTSI) belied allegations it is engaging in “illegal reclamation” at Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, where it is constructing Berth 6.
Manila vice mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso last week accused ICTSI of conducting reclamation work on a 12-hectare area at Isla Puting Bato without the proper permits. He added roads, pavements and cemented fences were also being constructed without authorization.
Moreno said ICTSI and Hanjin, the Korean company handling the development of ICTSI’s reclamation project, may be slapped with a cease and desist order from the city government because of the project.
But in a statement, ICTSI said while the land in question maybe considered public domain, it is located within the port zone, over which the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has jurisdiction.
ICTSI explained it has no residual claims of ownership over the land and improvements and are only using these for the duration of its contract.
“The development of a new berth is part of ICTSI’s contractual obligations to the PPA, and ICTSI has obtained approvals from the PPA pertaining to this development,” ICTSI said. “Some approvals were from the city authorities, but obtained through the PPA as owner. The permits include a reclamation permit from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).”
The port operator added, “The development of the new berth requires some reclamation, for which ICTSI likewise obtained approval and permits from the PRA through PPA intercession. The PRA has exclusive jurisdiction over land reclamation in the country. PPA has asserted exception in respect of reclamation incidental to the construction of ports.”
The city council on the other hand, claims jurisdiction over reclamation within city limits.
ICTSI is investing $61.4 million for the construction of the berth to service post-Panamax vessels of up to 85,000 deadweight tons. The project also involves construction of a wharf at Manila International Container Terminal which will support rail-mounted post-Panamax container cranes and five 12-meter draft berthing slots.
