DENR speeds up dolomite dumping along Manila Bay for Int'l Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is accelerating the dumping of synthetic white sand along the shores of Manila Bay for the International Coastal Clean-up Day on Saturday, September 19.

According to Isa Avendaño-Umali’s report on Dobol B sa News TV, Environment undersecretary Benny Antiporda, however, said the activity will continue even if the white sand project is not yet complete.

“Looking forward na talagang tapos na siya. Hinahabol natin but latag o hindi, tuloy ang International Coastal Clean-up on Saturday,” Antiporda said.

As of Thursday, several parts of the shores of Manila Bay remain uncovered with the white sand — made from crushed dolomite boulders shipped from Cebu province.

Antiporda said among those who will participate in the ICC are Environment secretary Roy Cimatu, and officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Manila City government.

Earlier, environmentalists and fisherfolk groups criticized the project, calling it an artificial rehabilitation and a waste of money.

Meanwhile, Antiporda said putting white sand alongside Manila Bay coastline will discourage people from littering and throwing trash in the water.

Last week, DENR said it consulted all concerned agencies and experts before starting the project at the Manila Bay.—AOL, GMA News