INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday advised DENR officials to ensure that the project will last, while a civilian watchdog called out the department for allegedly violating its rules in exempting the project from obtaining an environmental compliance certificate. Email. The Manila Bay Five-year IEMP Included pollution and habitat/resource monitoring “The coast along Manila Bay, in particular along Roxas Boulevard, is constantly subject to strong waves especially during typhoons when storm surges erode the coasts. But DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu later explained that the dolomite used for the “white sand beach” was safe, citing medical studies. The DENR claimed that … Manila’s new white sand coast is a threat to marine life, groups say The Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources has come under fire from green groups and government officials after dumping dolomite sand, typically used in construction, on the shores of Manila Bay as part of a beautification project. “If DENR is really concerned about the environment and the people, it is but proper for them to immediately stop the dumping of dolomite,” Binay previously said in a statement. The agency has been getting a lot of flak for using white sand from crushed dolomite rocks. According to Ridon, under PD No. (If it comes in contact with the eyes, it can cause irritation so you just have to wash it off with water.). We are here to provide support to the Secretary and the MBTF,” he said. It was during the first week of September when the DENR started overlaying the area with crushed dolomite. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Currently, only 120 meters of the 500 meters were filled with the “white sand.”. “Having ecologically healthy mangroves will also help lessen heavy metal contamination, a condition that beset Manila Bay for a long time,” the group said. Even in its human impacted state, recent scientific research in the last 18 years … “The main objective is to stop further pollution in the whole of the Manila Bay region. At one point, even the Department of Health (DOH) warned that inhalation of fine particles of dolomite may later lead to respiratory problems, as well as other health hazards. (If this is ingested, it can have discomfort in a person’s gastrointestinal system it will cause pain and diarrhea.). The project was approved before the Covid outbreak. By The Manila Times. (We understand that this is proof that the DENR and the City of Manila made the right decision to enhance Manila Bay.). “Kapag na-ingest ito, it can have discomfort sa gastrointestinal system natin and magkakaroon lang ng kaunting sakit ng tiyan at pagtatae,” she added. 1586 and DAO No. Despite the makeover, the government still prohibited spectators from swimming in the waters of Manila Bay, as that part remains polluted despite efforts to restore it. Executive Order No. MANILA, Philippines — A“white sand” paradise in the heart of Manila, perhaps? The two mining companies, Dolomite Mining Corp. (DMC) and Philippine Mining Service Corp. (PMSC) were suspended after they allegedly destroyed corals in the water near the mine site. THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has come under increasing pressure to revisit its controversial P400-million “white-sand” project in Manila Bay, with critics citing economic, health and legal implications. Of course, the truckloads of crushed dolomite boulders that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) allowed to be extracted from Cebu […] DOH: Inhaling Crushed Dolomite Rock Along Manila Bay Can Cause Respiratory Issues. The government is spending P389 million to fill Manila Bay’s gray shoreline stretching 500 meters with crushed dolomite—an anhydrous carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate—transported from Cebu province to Manila. — INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES. Aside from the dolomite, groups such as the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the DENR’s project is an “artificial rehabilitation focusing on aesthetic appearance rather than addressing the environmental degradation problems.”, Another environment watchdog, Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines, likewise slammed the plan, saying, “There are so many issues we need to FOCUS ON like the pandemic response and yet here is our government, doing this stuff.”. “The DENR has complied with the directive to return 10 percent of our 2020 funding, which is roughly P1.069 billion, purposely to help in the COVID-19 response,” Adobo said during the House deliberation. The changed environment was a result of the clean-up drive on January 27, 2019 that was participated by different government workers and volunteers in light of the Manila Bay rehabilitation program. There was no public consultation, no environmental clearance, theEIA/EIS was done haphazardly, and the plan is not comprehensive,” Binay pointed out in a mix of English and Filipino. This came from Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, according to an article from GMA News. At present, the DENR stopped putting crushed dolomite at the bay shoreline as it encountered problems with the private contractor and supplier of the crushed mineral. Not even a huge amount of ‘white sand’ can hide the deteriorating environment and ecosystem of Manila Bay, which small fishers endure through depleted daily fish catch,” Hicap said. However, there are reasons to be optimistic. SUDDENLY, the word “dolomite” is on everyone’s lips because of the national government’s Manila Bay “beautification” project. The initial phase of the Manila Bay rehabilitation was praised by Filipinos because of the clutter-free coastline. Manila Bay's thriving atmosphere was a beacon of opportunity, but there unfortunately, there wasn't enough. DOH – Department of Health recently said that the inhalation of crushed dolomite rock in Manila Bay can cause respiratory problems. THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has come under increasing pressure to revisit its controversial P400-million “white-sand” project in Manila Bay, with critics citing economic, health and legal implications. Facebook. Dolomite Beach along Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Friday, October 9, 2020. Dr. Tirol detailed how the public is so deranged about the Manila Bay white sand project, which according to her, all started with the communication issues. The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the project should be suspended until its suitability and sustainability to the rehabilitation program are established. The black sand covered the white dolomite.). The first beach nourishment project in the US was in 1922 at the Coney Island, New York. With so much noise surrounding a piece of land, why is the project controversial in the first place? For one, several groups pointed out that dolomite does not only bring dangers to the environment, but also pose health hazards as well. PREVIEW Visitors enjoy the “white sand”—actually crushed dolomite—beach on the Manila Bay shore after it was opened to the public for one day on Sunday, September 20, 2020. The multisectoral Manila Bay Coordinating Committee adopted the Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy, the Manila Bay Oil Spill Contingency Plan, the Coastal Use Zoning Plan of Bataan, and the Integrated Environmental Monitoring Program (IEMP). We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. She wondered who was the “health expert” who suggested  to the Duterte administration that the response to the pandemic is to dump white sand on Manila Bay’s shores. Local environmental groups said the government's move to dump crushed dolomite on Manila Bay as part of a beautification program allegedly violated at least 5 laws. INQUIRER/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ. Nilad, which has been organizing cleanup operations, vowed to continue mobilizing community groups in “protecting” Manila Bay. “Synthetic beautification is far from genuine rehabilitation. During the House deliberations for DENR’s proposed 20201 budget, Undersecretary Jonas Leones, of the DENR’s Environment and International Environment Affairs, clarified that of the P389 million, P28 million was only spent for the crushed dolomite. DENR orders new study on safety of dolomite rocks amid Manila Bay issue TINA PANGANIBAN-PEREZ,GMA News. Who asked for a white sand beach in Manila Bay? Latest Stories Agence France-Presse-February 2, 2021. He also assured that the next delivery of the crushed dolomite will be of no additional cost to the government. Vice President Leni Robredo remains firm in her stand that the Manila Bay rehabilitation project is ill-timed even if it followed all the required procedures without corruption. Don't miss out on the latest news and information. Only a thin layer of these powdered dolomite rocks is overlayed on the beach, on top of existing black sand. “The issue of pollution is the core of the Battle for Manila Bay. The beautification project, meanwhile, is part of the DENR’s Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program launched in January 2019, in a bid to restore the bay’s former glory after decades of pollution, in compliance with a Supreme Court 2008 ruling directing 13 agencies to clean up Manila Bay. He also explained that the particles of the crushed dolomite was only 2 to 5 millimeters or equivalent to 2,000 to 5,000 microns or 100 times bigger than dust. “The DENR is advised to conduct cleanup drives instead of pursuing this project. The SC should be informed that DENR has not only violated its own rules, but also overstepped its mandate in Manila Bay, either based on SC’s continuing mandamus or President Duterte’s Manila Bay Task Force, Ridon added. The population and pollution took a toll on the bay. The environmental and health issues raised by experts, environmental and fisherfolk groups are “more than enough basis” for the DENR to suspend the project, Fernando Hicap, national coordinator of Pamalakaya, said in a statement. “As such, there is absolutely no basis for the DENR to say that its project is not covered by ECC rules. It was washed in. He said officials concerned could face an avalanche of charges if the Manila Bay white sand fades, resulting in waste of huge amount of public funds. 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According to the senator, the public deserved to be informed about the whole context of the project particularly its impact on the environment and public health. The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources is taking aim at establishments near Manila Bay which have violated environmental laws passed way back in … But Nilad, in a statement, insists that it is “unnecessary, frivolous waste of public funds, and destructive to the environment.”. For its part, scientist group Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) said that the DENR’s “beach nourishment” project clearly shows that the objective of the government’s Manila Bay rehabilitation is “aesthetic in nature.”. Despite the flak the beautification has received, the DENR stood its ground and said that the program will still continue as planned. Dolomite is a type of mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate. Image from: ABS-CBN News. September 7, 2020. Party-list Rep. Defensor asks House: Where’s impeachment vs Leonen now? As for the remaining funds, this will be spent on the construction of other support structures, including “geo interventions” supposedly meant to prevent the crushed dolomite from being washed away. They also even expressed willingness to assist the DENR in forming and implementing a “science-based” rehabilitation program, which would focus on the recovery of the bay’s biological functions and services by restoring and protecting key habitats, reducing pollution and managing invasive species. To understand further the issue of Manila Bay, we need to see it from a scientific perspective. Manila Bay has already been beset by long-standing environmental problems, such as pollution and resource exploitation. Hindi rin sang-ayon si Department of Education ((DepEd) Leonor Briones sa paggastos ng DENR ng halos P400M sa kanilang white sand Manila Bay project. The Department of Health on Monday confirmed that dolomite dust can cause adverse respiratory reactions, eye irritation and discomfort in the gastrointestinal system. To prevent the dolomite from being washed out, Leones said that aside from the geotubes, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is planning to construct a breakwater as an additional measure to ensure that the crushed dolomite will remain intact despite the bay’s strong waves. Several groups are also calling on the DENR to stop dumping crushed dolomite in Manila Bay. Cortex Enterprise Solutions was built to empower Filipino businesses to be on par with the digital transformation of enterprises... Will Senate do Cha-cha with House? To address the numerous environmental issues affecting the Bay, the Manila Bay Environmental Management Project was established. You can become a game tester for this new Pinoy video game. Not now, Reconcile data on pork imports, ASF damage, D.A. The proponents should have applied and received an approved ECC before starting the project,” said Ridon on a statement. “Ang nangyari po talaga is wash in. A political question: Supreme Court hands off in Manila Bay dolomite issue The Supreme Court has taken a hands-off approach in a group's attempt to … And as critics pointed out that the dolomite had washed out due to rains and the bay’s strong currents, Antiporda said that it was a “lie,” explaining that the fake “white sand” was covered by the thick black sand from the bay. After years of being known for its polluted waters, Manila Bay suddenly got a facelift as the government decided to take a big risk by overlaying mounds of artificial white sand on a part of the bay’s naturally gray shoreline. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. From Sept. 19 to Sept. 20, the attraction was temporarily opened to the public, drawing crowds, reaching a point where quarantine protocols were ignored. Manila Bay's continued commercialization, however, came at a price. 2003-30, the agency’s own implementing rules and regulations governing environment compliance certificates. Sen. Nancy Binay sought the project’s suspension on questions raised about health hazards from using dolomite—crushed rocks that mimic sand—while Sen. Risa Hontiveros was dismayed by the ill timing of the project amid the pandemic. As a tourism advocate, I’d like to chime in on the many issues raised on this project. The Manila Bay facelift also earned the ire of some senators, such as Nancy Binay, Risa Hontiveros and Leila De Lima, calling on the DENR to stop the beautification project. The Philippine Department f Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has organized a Project Management Office (PMO). "Some components in wastewaters are emerging pollutants detected in Manila Bay, which include personal care and pharmaceutical products, endocrine disrupting substances (e.g. Poverty and Pollution. Also on Monday, former government official turned watchdog Terry Ridon said that by seeking an exemption from its own ECC regulations, DENR violated Presidential Decree No. The latest to join the call to stop the project are members of Nilad Metro Manila Environmental Network who protest the dumping of the “white sand” and the reclamation of the coastline in the baywalk area. The outcry to stop DENR’s plan was even brought to the Supreme Court, as cause-oriented group Akbayan asked the high court to cite DENR for contempt for the Manila Bay beautification project. Call 896 6000. It is presently famous as part of the city’s amusement center, the group said. The DENR, which earlier defended the project as a way to inspire the public to join the rehabilitation effort, was defended by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Roque. Twitter. Aug. 31 – Rehabilitation report stated that more than 3,810 tons of garbage, water hyacinth, and silt have been removed from the Manila Bay coastline and drainage system discharging to the bay since January.Collected were: 2,639 cubic meters / 749.72 tons of garbage from Manila Baywalk and other tributaries; 2,594.34 cubic meters / 737.12 tons of garbage and water hyacinth removed … Agham also warned of the geophysical hazard of the dump-filling project, which involves alien and synthetic materials. Latest Stories. TO SAVE THE BAY A 500-meter stretch of the 190-kilometer coastline of Manila Bay will be covered with sand derived from crushed dolomite in a bid by the government to beautify the scenery and encourage the public to protect it. Manila Bay (Filipino: Look ng Maynila) is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila (on Luzon), in the Philippines.Strategically located around the capital city of the Philippines, Manila Bay facilitated commerce and trade between the Philippines and its neighboring countries, becoming the gateway for socio-economic development even prior to Spanish occupation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In fact, dolomite was also used for the construction of other man-made beaches, one of which is the popular French Riviera in the northwestern Mediterranean. It adopts a holistic and integrative approach in addressing the complex social and ecological issues in the Manila Bay Coastal Area. 2003-30, projects that require an ECC are those located in Environmentally Critical Areas such as areas set aside as aesthetic potential tourist spots. “Ang purpose noon is similar to the geotubes, to caution the strong waves or strong waves na papalo doon sa beach area na ‘yun,” he added. GRAY OR BLACK SAND MANILA BAY / SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 Gray or black sand are seen on the edge of white sand from crushed dolomite which was dumped at the portion of Manila Bay near beside the US Embassy in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.vINQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES. 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