With the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the government spent P389.9 million to beautify and rehabilitate Manila Bay’s shoreline with crushed dolomite as artificial white sand coming all the way from Cebu to Manila according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
It may be a pleasing view to see, but why spend millions of money for crushed sedimentary rocks to beautify the shore instead of helping the seven million workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic?
The white sand project is part of the Manila Bay rehabilitation project which started in January 2019, right after the successful environmental turn-around of Boracay. “We’ll make the coastline white sand so that when people see, they need to take care of this and protect this,” Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said.
However, many have raised their concerns and criticized the controversial Manila Bay’s “white sand” including some politicians, environmental groups, and netizens in the media.
The beautification of Manila Bay was made at the wrong time.
Vice President Leni Robredo said the white sand project was “insensitive.” A misplaced priority by the government when they are in need of funds during the COVID-19 pandemic to help and aid the poor. “Ang daming naghihirap, gagawin mo iyong pag-beautify,” said Robredo on her radio show “BISErbisyong LENI.”
The millions of funds used for the project could have been spent to help the 80,000 families in need.
In addition to this, the Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones said the budget could have also been used for the purchase of electronic devices such as computers and radios and data or internet for those students in public schools. Up until now, not all students are still provided with gadgets and have easy internet access.
According to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Marine Science Institute, the crushed dolomite used as artificial white sand contains crystalline silica that can also cause silicosis, a chronic lung disorder.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there are medical reports that dolomite can cause unfortunate reactions to the respiratory system when aerosolized and inhaled. These include discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, and coughing.
The fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) warned that dolomite can be harmful to humans and the environment. It contains heavy metals such as aluminum, mercury, and lead that can add up to the pollution of Manila Bay.
As this crushed dolomite contains hazardous dust particles, it may cause marine sedimentation.
The University of the Philippines Insitute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP IESM) stated that the washing off of dolomite is similar to dumping foreign sediments, which can disturb plants and habitats of marine wildlife by burying them, lowering the oxygen in the seawater, and blocking the sunlight.
Moreover, another concern from Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and the EcoWaste Coalition mentioned that the sand grains may be washed away by typhoons and high tides. As a matter of fact what happened recently, several dangerous and strong typhoons with destructive winds have hit the islands of the country.
If the imitation sand gets washed away by the storms, it’s like throwing money away into the sea. Sooner or later, the government will learn their lesson.
COVID-19 cases in the country are still rising, as DOH is facing serious budget cuts next year.
It is reported that about P28 million was spent on the dolomite rocks. Funds for it could’ve been used to sustain vital needs such as health equipment, educational modules and devices for online distance learning, and financial support for the economy.
The white sand may have some positive effects such as the prevention of soil erosion and help the mental health of the people. Nevertheless, it won’t just hold on there forever on the coast.
Hence, what do you think about Manila Bay’s white sand? Was it worth it or not?
Story by MikaelaMotol (An Eye’s Iris)
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