DENR: Photos of supposedly ‘washed away’ dolomite beach show area under construction

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Wednesday clarified that photos of the Manila Bay "white sand" beach project where the crushed dolomite was seemingly washed away actually show an area under construction.

“Hindi po na-wash away 'yan. 'Yan po ay construction area na kung saan 'yan po 'yung lalagyan natin ng HDPE pipe, yung ating storm drain. Kasi kapag merong tubig-ulan, diyan dadaan sa storm drain palabas ng Manila Bay,” DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda told GMA News.

In the area, black sand is visible outside barriers set up around the crushed dolomite, while a rusted vessel and trash boom are seen in the water. 

"'Yun po namang sa front, sloping 'yan. Talagang ang white sand natin is a topping. Hindi sa sloping 'yan pababa ng dagat. Yung nakikita nilang medyo may grayish sa harap, 'yan naman po, 'yung mantsa galing din po sa dagat. Kasi alam naman natin meron pa ring mga silt, may mga burak pa rin, may mga dumi pa rin yung dagat na umaakyat po dito sa ating beachfront,” Antiporda added.

Antiporda again said that the DENR go after the contractor if it fails to deliver the project.

“Hindi pa po tapos 'yan. If in case naman po na may pagkukulang ang atin pong contractor, meron pa hong one-year na warranty' yan kung tapos na po 'yan. Puwede ho nating habulin diyan 'yung magiging contractor po niyan kung sakali po hindi nila maayos 'yan,” he added.

The controversial dolomite beach is part of a P389-million Manila Bay "beach nourishment" project, and has been hit by critics as an unnecessary expense during a pandemic and a "cover-up" of the pollution in the bay. — BM, GMA News