Aerotropolis: Abstraction of progress for coastal communities

Bedylyn Pacete

December 15, 2023

Photographed by Aly Domingo

A flight towards development, notion implied by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) about the approximately 2,500 hectares Aerotropolis project they sought to build on coastal areas centered at the province of Bulacan.

June 14, 2019 the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) document of SMC indicates that the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) would be located in barangays of Taliptip and Bambang in Bulakan, Bulacan, which is a major decision heavily castigated by Bulakenyos from fishing communities.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), fisherfolks remains among the poorest sector in the country as of 2021, and the project appears to threaten the already diminishing presence of the group as it continues to persist.

Declining waters of Pamarawan Island

Photographed by Aly Domingo

Moreover, just 8 kilometers away from Taliptip lies the island of Pamarawan in Malolos, Bulacan that may not be the prime area of construction, but claims to be receiving the amount of impact enough to destroy their primary source of income that heavily relies on marine life.

The glaring gap between the past and the present of Pamarawan Island triggered by the controversial NMIA construction publicized in 2019, has been causing alteration both in the livelihood and living processes of Pamaraweños all within a span of 2 years.

As for the residents, the decline in fishing increases in coastal areas like Pamarawan as the amount of water disturbance from the construction not only scares the fish away, but also said to discourage those fisherfolks who spent almost their entire life in their boats.

Silent resistance among concerns

Photographed by Aly Domingo

The growing tension between parties involved in the case of the NMIA has been triggering protests from all sides, mainly the AKAP Ka Manila Bay, Pamalakaya, Kalikasan Network, and also a separate fisherfolk groups from affected coastal communities.

Despite the intensity of the call for reconsideration, residents and Local Government Unit (LGUs) personnels appear to respond passively on the issue, as for most of them, it is futile to go against a government project pioneered by a huge company like SMC.

“Ang sinasabi ko na lang po sa kanila eh, sino kami para pakinggan nung nasa itaas?” Roldan Dayao Barangay Secretary of Pamarawan said. “Actually, nag usap-usap na tayo, nanghingi tayo ng opinyon, pero ang mas higit na dapat na lumaban para sa ‘min ay yung mga nasa kongreso, nasa senado, mga matataas ang pusisyon na yun ay talagang nakikipag-usap na dapat bago nila pinagawa yan ay kinausap muna ang mga tao," Sec. Dayao added.

Furthermore, as a response to the damage on property for affected communities and fisherfolks, SMC ensured to compensate them with Php 30,000 - Php 50,000. However, those who receive the compensation are said to be just the exact owners of properties that will be damaged on the construction, while the remaining fisherfolks and residents affected are not covered.

"Ang nakakatanggap lang e yung talagang malapit sa kaniya. 'Di kami nakatikim ng [kahit] ano sa San Miguel," sentiments of Margarita, former fish vendor, and wife of a fisherman at Pamarawan.

Blurring idea of development

Photographed by Aly Domingo

As the Aerotropolis is set to operate in 2026, the SMC's goal for the NMIA is to improve the quality of transportation services for the country that will contribute to the economic development of the Philippines, particularly in Bulacan.

In addition, once fully operating, the corporation deems to cater over a hundred million of passengers annually, 10 folds greater than the capacity of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), alongside with the SMC's oath to generate millions of national and international jobs that will prioritize affected Bulakenyos from the establishment.

However, given the sentiments and weak but existing resistance of coastal areas that will be run across by the construction, such as the Taliptip, Bambang, and Pamarawan in Bulacan, it remains crucial to categorize the airport as a form of development if it does requires the lives of hidden minority in exchange.