The city government of Manila is looking into the possibility of repossessing a 12-hectare lot at Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, believed to be “illegally” reclaimed by the International Container Port Services, Inc. (ICTSI), officials said Sunday (August 22).
Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said using the area as a housing site for Manila residents is among the options being considered by the city officials. He said the proposal will be included in the report they are set to submit to Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.
Moreno on Friday (August 20) accused the ICTSI, a company owned by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr., of allegedly engaging in “illegal reclamation” at Isla Puting Bato.
ICTSI earlier denied there was a reclamation project in the area.
“We inspected a 12-hectare ongoing reclamation within the ICTSI and found out that they had neither permits nor an ordinance allowing them to do reclamation in the area,” Moreno earlier said.
During the course of their investigation together with an ad hoc committee of the Manila city council, they also found out that roads, pavements, and cemented fences were being built in the 12-hectare area with no proper permits.
