Akbayan urges SC to cite DENR in contempt over Manila Bay dolomite dumping

Akbayan on Thursday filed a motion urging the Supreme Court to cite the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in contempt over the dumping of crushed dolomites along Manila Bay.

Akbayan chair emeritus Etta Rosales, Akbayan Youth chairperson Dr. RJ Naguit, and Akbayan-Manila Youth Leader Rafaela David asked the High Tribunal to declare the dumping as a direct violation of its continuing mandamus judgment in 2008 ordering the DENR and other relevant agencies to protect and clean Manila Bay.

“There is a need to save Manila Bay. But it has to be saved the right way,” Rosales said.

“Right now, Manila Bay needs to be saved from incompetent and grandstanding public officials who resort to dangerous cosmetic solutions,” she added.

She said DENR’s dumping of dolomite sand which threatens public health and the environment, admission that the project is not in line with the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan, and refusal to fulfill its obligation to submit public reports on the artificial beach enhancement project are gross and direct violations of the SC’s
continuing mandamus judgment.

The movants also called to immediately convene the Manila Bay Advisory Committee (MBAC), headed by the Chief Justice, to review and determine the effects of the dolomite dumping operations.

"As if the pandemic is not bad enough, the government has added another threat to the health and safety of the people by dumping dangerous artificial sand along Manila Bay,” Naguit said.

“The money for this fake sand project could have been better utilized if it was allocated instead to the budget of public hospitals and health workers," he added.

The project received criticisms over the issues of the possible health hazards of crushed dolomites and the timing of the project amid the COVID-19 pandemic, among others.

The DENR has already defended its decision to spruce up the area with dolomite sourced from Cebu.

Amid criticism, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday congratulated DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu following the placement of crushed dolomites.

For environmental groups, however, the DENR’s rehabilitation of Manila Bay is not commendable.—AOL, GMA News