Palace: Crowding at Manila Bay white sand project understandable

Malacañang on Monday urged the public to observe social distancing after large crowds flocked to Manila Bay over the weekend to see the shoreline that is covered with artificial white sand.

In a televised briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque suggested that a group of people should stay in the area for only five minutes. He said the beach can only accommodate 50 people at a time.

“Sapat na po iyan para singhutin ang hangin at saka mag-picture-picture, mag-selfie-selfie. Huwag na tayong mag-bathing suit diyan dahil baka lalong matagalan ang mga tao diyan,” he said.

“Ang panawagan lang namin sa taumbayan, the surest way po para kayo ay magkaroon ng COVID, huwag kayong mag-social distancing. Kaya nga po nananawagan din po kami sa kapulisan na sana po ay ipatupad natin ang social distancing.”

Roque, however, said the huge crowds only showed that the government was right in pushing ahead with the project.

“Naintindihan po natin iyan dahil talagang iyan naman po ay nagpapatunay na tama ang naging desisyon ng DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] at ng siyudad ng Maynila na lalo pang pagandahin ang Manila Bay,” he said.

The Department of Health has expressed concern over the mass gathering, which is prohibited under the community quarantine guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Ermita Police station commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Caramoan has been relieved from his post due to the incident while DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said they did remind the people who flocked to the white sand beach to observe social distancing.

Antiporda said that the project is not yet complete but the DENR opened it to the public so that people can make their own assessment.—AOL, GMA News