MANILA, Philippines – The government is starting work on transforming Manila Bay to look like a “white sand” beach, Thursday.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, it is still part of the government’s program to rehabilitate the said bay – which suffers from pollution and high fecal coliform levels.
The DENR now targets to further clean the water quality to 200 mpn / 100 ml, and make the bay area “Boracay”.
“Kung ma-achieve [ang] target within the year, kaya na siya pag-swimmingan,” ani Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda.
MANILA, Philippines – The government is starting work on transforming Manila Bay to look like a "social" beach,…
Posted by Viva Filipinas on Thursday, September 3, 2020
January 2020 when Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said that the coliform levels of Manila Bay have dropped significantly, based on the data presented by the Environmental Management Bureau.
But the DENR clarified that the pile will not be used as white sand, but crushed “dolomite boulders” from Cebu. He said that it is forbidden to travel the real white sand from the beaches.
Cleaned but this will do? Some environmental and fisherfolk groups have supported the project, especially since it should not be done if they really want to clean up the said form of water.
“Kung ang objective is to save Manila Bay by cleaning it up, putting [synthetic] materials on top of the uncleaned environment would not help,” ssaid Sonny Batungbacal, campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines.
“I doubt kung dumating ‘yung mga storm surges [at] bagyo kung nandiyan pa ‘yan — not to mention ‘yung cost involved.”
According to Fernando Hicap, national chairman of Pamalakaya, the government’s construction of the 500-meter-long baywalk is very absurd.
In the end, it seems that the government is even more interested in the external appearance than actually answering the environmental damage in the area.
“Why invest in white sand when you can plant mangrove forests and sea grasses that would restore and balance its marine ecosystem?” Hicap said in a statement.
“Moreover, destructive projects such as massive reclamation and conversion of fishing grounds must stop. No amount of white sand and external beauty can restore Manila Bay if such destructive projects are going through.”
Pamalakaya is also now seeking DENR approval for some reclamation projects in Bacoor City and Bulacan. Sadly, the mangroves in Bulacan are being cut down, which will greatly affect the crab industry.
