By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has designated former Fifth District congressman Amado Bagatsing to head a newly formed committee tasked with overseeing the city government’s reclamation initiatives.
Under Executive Order No. 27, Series of 2026, signed on June 3, the City Government created the Committee on Reclamation to supervise the planning, implementation, and monitoring of reclamation projects within Manila’s jurisdiction.
The committee will function under the Office of the Mayor and will serve as the city’s central coordinating body for all matters involving reclamation activities. It is expected to ensure that projects comply with existing laws, environmental safeguards, and government regulations.
Among its responsibilities are coordinating with private sector proponents and joint-venture partners involved in reclamation developments, as well as maintaining close coordination with national government agencies such as the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Bagatsing brings extensive experience in public service to the position. Apart from representing Manila’s Fifth District in Congress, he previously held key posts in the housing sector, including serving as vice chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and general manager of the National Housing Authority (NHA).
City officials said the creation of the committee aims to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that ongoing and future reclamation projects are implemented responsibly while advancing Manila’s long-term development objectives.
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