Mayor Isko asks DENR to barricade Manila Bay Sands, discourages public visit

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is asking the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to barricade the Manila Bay Sands area after incidents of overcrowding during the weekend.

In a video posted by Super Radyo dzBB’s  Isa Avendaño-Umali on Twitter, Moreno also discouraged the public from visiting the Manila Bay Sands due to the threat of COVID-19.

“Pakiusap ko lang sa mamamayan, gustuhin man nating makita ‘yung Manila Bay white sands, e siguro may iba pa namang panahon,” Moreno said.

“I already asked DENR to close ‘yung bakod dahil hard hat pa, may construction pang nagaganap,” he added.

For Moreno, it is enough that the public had a preview of the Manila Bay Sands through the media.

“Ipagpaliban po muna natin ang pagpunta,” he added.

While understanding the excitement of the public for the project, Moreno said it must be remembered that the threat of COVID-19 is still present.

“Alam ko po marami sa inyo, nasisiyahan, nagagalak sapagkat ito ay kakaibang pangyayari. ‘Yung imposible naging possible,” he said.

“Ngunit, naalala ko pa rin meron pang pandemya. Meron pa akong pangamba, panganib sa lungsod ng Maynila,” he added.

On Saturday, a number of people who showed up for the opening of the Manila Bay Sands failed to observe physical distancing and many were seen not wearing face shields.

While police and local government personnel were on site to remind everybody about physical distancing, people were still seen huddled together while in line outside to get a peek of the beach.

Social distancing was also not observed at the footbridge just outside the beach.

On Sunday, social distancing remained a challenge since people stood close to each other in line. Vehicular traffic slowed down as people occupied up to two lanes of Roxas Boulevard.

Ermita Police  station commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Caramoan has been relieved from his post following the police's failure to maintain social distancing measures in the event. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News