MANILA BAY REHAB. The Manila Bay white sand project continues to pique the public’s curiosity as bikers and other passersby on Sept. 6, 2020 stop and try to take a look at the large heap of white sand at the bayfront. Manila Bay has always been famous for its breathtaking sunset. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA – Controversy hounded the move to use crushed dolomite boulders along a portion of the Manila Bay beach, a vital part of the bigger Manila Bay rehabilitation project spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
In September, the overlaying of the dolomite in Manila Bay beach or the beach nourishment project caught public attention, stirring curiosity and setting off waves of people flocking to the area to get a glimpse of the "white sands".
Many criticized the project, throwing allegations at the DENR, calling the project a health hazard and a waste of public funds.
But the DENR emphasized that the beach nourishment with the use of dolomite is a significant component of the rehabilitation aimed to protect the coastal resources in the area and prevent coastal flooding, erosion, and pollution.
Being a mineral, a naturally occurring chemical compound that is calcium magnesium carbonate, DENR said the dolomite is not detrimental to the ecosystems of Manila Bay, and is a known neutralizer that lessens the acidity of seawater making it popular for use in fish aquariums.
As to the claim that the dolomites allegedly pose health hazards to the public, the Department of Health also assured that “no untoward incidents will occur as a result of the endeavor”.
The DOH said the dolomite material used for the project is 100 times bigger than dust, hence it does not get suspended in the air that would make it hazardous.
The health said the “dolomite, in its bulk state, is not a known health hazard” and is not included in the list of carcinogens.
The estimated cost of the entire Manila Bay rehabilitation project is PHP389 million, of which, around PHP28 million is allotted for the dolomite overlay.
On claims that the project is a waste of public funds, Cimatu assured the public that the funds used for the project will not be put to waste as people expressed fears that the dolomite sands would simply be washed away especially during typhoons.
He said engineering interventions were made to prevent the artificial white sand from being washed away.
The project, he said, likewise passed the required environmental impact assessment.
Despite the criticisms, many also expressed appreciation especially when people started flocking to have their pictures taken at the beach area.
For many, this is a man-made white sand beach in the middle of the city, a first in history seen by many, including the local government of Manila where it is situated, to boost local and international tourism and generate jobs for residents.
The DENR said the beach nourishment project is more than just aesthetics.
It said it is a strategy to promote pro-environment behavior among Filipinos with the hope that the white sand would inspire people to be more mindful of their obligation to help keep the Manila Bay clean.
Manila Bay rehab to continue
The Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts also include continuous bay and estero clean-ups and the setting up of sewage treatment plants.
The whole program, which started in January 2019, was also called “Battle for Manila Bay” aimed at “restoring the water quality of Manila Bay in accordance with the Writ of Continuing Mandamus of the Supreme Court”.
Among the challenges faced by the DENR this year are the limitations in mobilizing people due to the community quarantines imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our work continues despite the limitations in mobilizing people, especially for our clean-up, monitoring, and enforcement activities,” said Cimatu.
He said among the significant accomplishments for the rehabilitation is the inauguration of the solar-powered sewage treatment plant (STP) in July.
He said STP is capable of treating 500,000 liters of wastewater per day from three drainage outfalls—Padre Faura, Remedios, and Estero de San Antonio Abad.
A significant decrease in fecal coliform has been recorded in three priority sites, namely, the Baywalk area, Estero de San Antonio Abad, and Baseco Beach.
In the Baywalk area alone, fecal coliform went down to 2,211,833 most probable number per 100 milliliters (MPN/100ml), compared to 5,666,213 MPN/100ml in 2019.
Regular clean-up activities were also regularly conducted in creeks, esteros, and river systems.
An average of 60 metric tons of garbage was collected daily for a total of 24,471.30 metric tons from 2019.
With the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), dredging and desilting operations were also ramped up.
DENR said a total of 210,549 cubic meters (m3) of silts and submerged garbage were dredged in the Baywalk area while about 551,768.72 m3 of dredged materials were collected from the different esteros, creeks, and rivers.
These include esteros in eight priority river systems: San Juan River, Pasig River, Tullahan-Tinajeros River, Navotas-Malabon River, Parañaque River, Las Piñas-Zapote River, Taguig-Pateros River, and Marikina River.
Moreover, geo-engineering interventions have been introduced in the bay areas that include the installation of trash booms and silt curtains.
Portable toilets were also installed at Parola compound in Tondo in partnership with the Manila city government and other stakeholders.
The project aims to minimize open defecation in Manila Bay by informal settler families (ISFs) in Manila.
In Baseco, a circumferential sewerage interceptor was constructed and communal septic tanks were installed to minimize the direct discharge of untreated wastewater to the bay.
The DENR is optimistic that said measures will help clean the waters of Manila Bay.
However, Cimatu said the whole Manila Bay rehabilitation project will not be successful without the help and cooperation of the public.
He said this is not only an effort of the government but of every Filipino working hand in hand.
The cleanup and rehabilitation of the Manila Bay are guided by the Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy which covers the period 2017-2022, and by Administrative Order No. 16 issued by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2019.
The President’s directive also includes the monitoring of establishments for pollution and compliance to required standards, as well as the monitoring of water quality in key river mouths, outfalls, and bathing beaches along the Manila Bay region. (PNA)
