Manila Bay Phase 1 beach nourishment 80% complete, waters fit for fishing —DENR exec

The first phase of the beach nourishment project in Manila Bay is already 80% complete and the waters are now "fit for fishing," an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

"Unti-unti na po nating nakikita ang resulta ng ating pinaghirapan sa pagsasaayos at pagpapaganda ng ating Manila Bay. 80% na pong kumpleto ang phase 1 beach nourishment project," DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said in a Facebook post last week, according to a report by Corinne Catibayan on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

(We are already seeing little by little the results of the rehabilitation and beautification of Manila Bay. The phase 1 of the beach nourishment project is now 80% complete.)

Antiporda added that the water quality has improved after the fecal coliform bacteria level has gone down to 142 most probable number per 100 ML (MPN/100ML). This means the waters are "fit for fishing."

"Bukod pa rito, mula sa milyon-milyong fecal coliform bacteria (o bacteria na nakukuha sa dumi ng tao), ay bumaba na po ito sa 142 MPN/100ML, kung kaya’t fit for fishing na po ito," he said.

(Aside from this, from the millions of fecal coliform bacteria or the bacteria from human waste, the level has gone down to 142 MPN/100ML, that is why it is now fit for fishing.)

The DENR said it hopes to complete phase 1 in July.

Meanwhile, construction is still ongoing at the dolomite artificial beach in the area, which already has rock formations.

Personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and bloggers set foot on the dolomite beach at Manila Bay near the US Embassy along Roxas Boulevard in Manila following the visit of DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu for a tree-planting activity on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The beach now has rock formations.  DANNY PATA

However, by the shoreline, trash were seen on Monday morning.

Critics earlier slammed the government for constructing the P389-M dolomite artificial beach during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmentalists also claimed the dolomite would pose a health hazard. 

The DENR however said the project was approved by Congress in 2019 and went through competitive bidding. It also said dolomite is "not detrimental to the ecosystems of Manila Bay". Crushed dolomite "does not pose a threat to human health because it is not inhalable," the DENR said. —KG, GMA News