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Groups rally vs. DENR 'white sand' project along Manila Bay

Fishers and environmental groups led by Pamalakaya on Friday morning gathered near Manila Bay to protest the Department of Environment and Natural Resource's move to dump crushed dolomite on a portion of the bay's shoreline as part of its beautification project.

According to Bam Alegre's report on Unang Balita, the groups held a program near Rajah Sulayman Park at at about 7 a.m. The rallyists also jogged as part of their activity.

According to the groups, they are opposed to the "aesthetic surgery" being done by the DENR on the bay, adding natural rehabilitation would have more preferable.

Carrying placards and observing social distancing, the protesters also questioned the budget used for the project especially amid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to many livelihoods.

The DENR had earlier said that the budget for the project was from last year. 

"Itong budget na ito, ito po ay last year pa, last year na-release, last year din na bid-out, and last year pa nag-umpisa yung proyekto," said DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda.

He said the Manila Bay beautification project started last year but was suspended early this year due to the pandemic. It resumed in August with the dumping of crushed dolomite on the shoreline to give it a "white sand" appearance. —KBK, GMA News