In Cagayan briefing, DENR chief Cimatu declines to comment on dolomite beach

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Sunday declined to answer questions regarding the controversial dolomite beach at the Manila Bay, as he said he would rather respond in Manila.

"Sa Manila? Doon ko na lang siguro sagutin sa Manila," Cimatu said in response to a query regarding the dolomite beach, amid the recent typhoons that hit the country.

The beach has been littered with garbage with the recent downpours

The controversial "white beach" at Manila Bay is part of the P389-million beautification project of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources.

It has been slammed by environmental groups and Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo who tagged the project as "insensitive" and "insulting" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said the inhalation of crushed dolomite rock can cause respiratory problems, among other health issues. The health department, however, has since backtracked and claimed otherwise.

Malacañang has also repeatedly backed the government project,  claiming that this will help in flood control and prevent soil erosion. It is also said to help mental health.

Last month, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said that the crushed dolomite used in the project are not being washed away by the rains, but instead black sands are being "washed in."

In a  now-deleted post, Antiporda last week posted a photo in the white beach along with MMDA spokesperson Celina Pialogo, which he captioned "Dolomite lang ang matatag."

This came while residents in several communities were forced to flee to the second floors or roofs of their homes as floodwaters rose, or seek refuge in nearby evacuation centers. —JST, GMA News