The Department of Environment and Natural Resources started dumping last week “white sand” on a portion of the Manila Bay beach, near the Baywalk strip along Roxas Boulevard, ostensibly as part of
That initial justification, however, has grown lamer by the day, as more details about the project emerge and more questions are raised by a bewildered public.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, asked to comment on concerns expressed by the Department of Health that inhaling dolomite could lead to respiratory illnesses, stoutly defended the program during the House deliberations on the DENR budget last Tuesday. The dolomite particles were three times bigger than regular sand and won’t go up in the air, the former military chief of staff maintained. Also, the crushed dolomite would supposedly help lower the acidity of the notoriously toxic waters of Manila Bay.
Geologist Dr. Carlo Arcilla of the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences seconded that view and projected that the sand would be gone in just a year: “Kapag dumating [ang bagyo] at may isang nataon kahit hindi malakas dumaan ng Manila Bay, tanggal lahat ’yan… Sigurado itong mawawala.” Rep. Ruffy Biazon pressed the DENR for a copy of any study on the feasibility and scientific justification for the project, but the agency was unable to produce any. The DENR may have also violated its own rules when the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Central Visayas issued a permit to transport the crushed dolomite from the municipality of Alcoy in Cebu to Manila, without prior consultation with the town or the provincial government of Cebu.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Urban poor families fear eviction due to Manila Bay white sand project – Manila Bulletin
Read more »
Mayor Isko: Call other LGUs’ attention to clean Manila Bay – Manila Bulletin
Read more »
Gov’t to halt Manila Bay ‘white sand’ project if proven harmful, says AñoThe government will put a stop to the artificial rehabilitation of Manila Bay if the DOH could prove that dolomite dust is harmful to a person’s health, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said. | ConsINQ
Read more »
Group urges Supreme Court to intervene in Manila Bay white sand projectSenator Nancy Binay urges the environment department to stop dumping white sand along Manila Bay in light of environmental concerns. The senator says the project did not undergo proper consultation and clearance. RELATED STORY:
Read more »
FAST FACTS: What is dolomite sand, and how will it affect Manila Bay?(UPDATED) Dolomite, which is mainly used in construction, poses risks to humans and aquatic life in and around Manila Bay
Read more »
Sa kabila ng puna: DENR pinaninindigan ang Manila Bay 'white sand' project
Read more »