The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced on Tuesday (Oct. 26) that they will prohibit minors aged 11 years old and below to visit Manila Bay dolomite beach in line with the alert level restrictions in Metro Manila.
The decision was announced following the reported crowding in the artificial white sand beach over the weekend, with an estimated visitor count of around 121,000.
“Sad to say, nag-react talaga ‘no, overwhelming iyong reaction ng taumbayan, iyong suporta nila sa pagganda nitong Manila Bay,” DENR USec. Benny Antiporda said in the Tuesday Palace briefing.
“Inaayos po namin iyong impormasyon – 11 years old and below ang ipagbabawal po muna dito po sa Manila Bay… Everything will be recalibrated ‘no kapag maglabas po ng bagong alert level ang atin pong IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force],” he added.
Minors in the 12 to 17 years age group are still allowed in the dolomite beach due to their inclusion in the pilot COVID-19 vaccination program.
Read more: DENR not closing Dolomite Beach to public
During the same briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reiterated that minors are only allowed to go out for essential purposes and exercises.
“Ang dapat lang nating i-emphasize eh, hindi pa rin dapat ibiyahe ang mga doon sa mga sites na ganito. Pero at the same time, siguro iyong mga nandoon sa area na iyon ay pupuwede namang pumunta roon dahil open area iyon,” he said.
Stricter rules
Authorities have decided to implement a rotational approach in the bay area starting Oct. 26 to prevent crowding. This will limit the stay duration of visitors to 15 minutes.
The area will also be closed every Friday for maintenance work and will be temporarily closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 due to the possibility of gathering in the dolomite beach amid the closure of cemeteries.
Meanwhile, a “no stub, no entry” policy will be implemented after the temporary closure.
A “cinema approach” will also be observed with only 4,000 individuals allowed per batch for two hours, with an hour gap in place to arrange and clean the area.
Contact tracing measures will be established in Kalaw Ave. and Pedro Gil areas. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla/AG- bny
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