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Locsin, US Embassy officials visit Manila Bay 'white sand' project
By TINA PANGANIBAN-PEREZ,GMA NewsForeign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin, Jr and officials from the US Embassy met on Tuesday morning at the Manila Bay "white sand" dolomite beach.
The embassy representatives underwent body temperature checks before being allowed to enter.
“We’re just settling some things about security, to maintain security,” Locsin told GMA News.
“Since it is no longer water, they have to add some security features,” the secretary added.
When asked if the US Embassy officials were against the project, Locsin replied, “No, no! Imagine what it does to their property.”
Locsin also praised the project, saying Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu was a “genius to think about this. Just think, we never had this. Not even before the war. Was this boulevard ever as beautiful as you can now see?”
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday also congratulated Cimatu
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"Let us begin by congratulating Secretary Cimatu. You know I remember that meeting I think everybody was there when I said 'Kaya mong linisin to?' And the answer was very curtly given," Duterte said.
"He said, ‘Kaya.’ People now are really enjoying the reclaimed area with the white sand maski na papaano," he added.
Critics have denounced the project though, saying the dolomite is harmful to health.
This was however debunked by government officials.
The "white sand" portion of Manila Bay was opened to the public last weekend, drawing crowds who failed to observe social distancing.
The area has been closed again to the public beginning on Monday for rehabilitation work on Manila Bay to continue. —KG, GMA News