The Cebu Provincial Board admitted that it is not aware of the extraction of synthetic white sand for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau confirmed the crushed dolomite came from Alcoy, Cebu.
“Mas gusto sana (namin) na nagbibigay ang MGB sa mga inisyuhan nila ng permit… Kahit hindi mandated by law, at least coordination man lang sana (We would prefer MGB to issue permits…Although not mandated by law, at least there should be coordination),” Cebu Provincial Board member John Ismael Borgonio appealed.
“Kung hindi niya alam, huwag niyang isisi sa national government. Sa amin, itong contract na ito, that’s part of the contract with DPWH (Do not blame the government if he is not aware. The contract is part of the contract with DPWH),” DENR USec. Benny Antiporda responded.
Oceana Philippines said the program has violated a number of environmental laws since there was no environmental impact assessment by the DENR prior to the conduct of the project. It is violative of the National Cultural Heritage Law as the white sand will destroy the historical appearance of Manila Bay.
“This is contrary to the order of the Supreme Court, beautification is not and never rehabilitation,” Oceana Vice President Gloria Ramos claimed.
Some geologists added that the placing white sand in the area is a short-term solution since the movement of sea sand is not permanent. They suggested that crushed dolomite should be placed in agricultural lands as they are effective absorbers of fertilizer.
Php 389 million were allocated for the white sand alone. The DENR justified the said budget can no longer be realigned because it was approved in 2019.
Antiporda stressed that the DENR is not violating any laws and an environmental impact assessment is not required as it is only for “beautification.”
“Kapag storm surge ‘yan, ‘di na natin kayang pigilan… But when it comes to strong wave action, nakahanda po tayo riyan (We cannot stop a storm surge… But when it comes to strong wave action, we are prepared),” Antiporda justified.
Malacañang defended the project amid the growing number of criticisms.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, this has been approved in 2019 and the amount was allocated for in the fund of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) before the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic happened.
He is pleased with the project since it not only aims for Manila Bay’s beautification but it is also meant for “beach enhancement”, and for the prevention of soil erosion and flood control.
The local government of Manila has also expressed support for the project and stood by the agency, “DENR knows better to protect our environment.” – Reports from Cleizl Pardilla and Mela Lesmoras
