Chief Justice Peralta asks DENR to submit studies on effects of dolomite

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to submit scientific studies and findings on the effects of dolomite to people amid criticism of the agency's artificial white sand beach project at Manila Bay.

Peralta made the request even as he refused to comment on the so-called dolomite beach, citing the pendency of a motion wanting the DENR to be held in contempt for dumping crushed dolomite along the bay.

The chief justice chairs the Supreme Court's Manila Bay Advisory Committee and is the only remaining incumbent magistrate who was on the tribunal when it ordered government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay in 2008.

The court in 2008 also ordered government agencies to restore and maintain the quality of its water to a level that is suitable for recreational activities such as swimming and skin diving.

Complying with an order by Peralta, the DENR submitted a report on the clean-up, discussing activities like the removal of garbage in the rivers and esteros and water quality improvement.

The DENR also reported the rehabilitation of Baywalk. According to the SC Public Information Office, the DENR cited a press release from the Department of Health (DOH), "noting that 'the dolomite in natural bulk state is not a known health hazard.'"

The DOH initially said the inhalation of crushed dolomite may cause respiratory issues but later clarified that the material used for the Manila Bay project is 100 times bigger than dust.

“Dolomite in its bulk state is not a known health hazard and dolomite in dust form, like any other dust particle, can lead to symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and coughing for this is our body's normal reaction to irritants,” the DOH said last month.

The beach nourishment project along Manila Bay costs P389 million, P28 million of which was allocated specifically for the crushed dolomite, according to the DENR.

Pursuant to the continuing mandamus of the SC, Peralta and DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu met on Wednesday and inspected the dolomite beach and the solar-powered sewerage treatment plant along Roxas Boulevard, among others, the SC PIO said.—AOL, GMA News