The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be filling the 500-meter stretch of Manila Baywalk with tons of white sand in line with the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
The DENR aims to completed a portion of the project by September 19 in time for the International Coastal Clean Up Day.
“Ilalapit natin sa kanila ang white sand… dito po ay mararamdaman nila na kahit paano, para pong nasa Boracay na rin sila (We will bring the white sand to them…In a way, they will experience how it is to be in Boracay),” DENR USec. Benny Antiporda stated.
Some environmental groups have questioned the source of white sand and added that government funds could be put to waste once a typhoon sweeps the sand away. The fisherfolk group Pamalakaya also suggested planting mangroves at the Baywalk instead of adding white sand.
The DENR clarified the sands are dolomite or crushed white rocks and were not taken from the white beaches. It also emphasized focusing on cleaning the Manila Bay water as levels of coliform bacteria remain above normal.
“Dumami ‘yung lumulutang na mga plastic, mga basura, galing sa mga cruise ships… until now naglilinis pa rin kami (Floating plastics and garbage from cruise ships have increased… until now, we are still cleaning),” Antiporda stated.
– Report from Cleizl Pardilla
