Isko OK to continue ‘responsible’ dolomite extraction for Manila Bay

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday said he would support the extraction of minerals to further improve the shorelines of Manila Bay as long as environmental rules are observed.

During Super Radyo dzBB's "Ikaw Na Ba? The Presidential Interviews," Moreno explained that localities that are rich in minerals have the right to prosper and make the lives of their residents better.

However, getting minerals from them should not be at the expense of negligence and abuse, he emphasized.

“Ang pag-e-extract ng minerals, rules must be observed, regulations must be followed. May mga pamamaraaan [there are ways] on how to extract minerals whether it is mining or for better purposes as long as nobody is violating the Environmental Protection Act,” he said.

Manila Bay’s artificial dolomite beach has white sand made from crushed dolomite boulders shipped from Cebu province. It was part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) P389-million beach nourishment project.

DENR - Environment Management Bureau director William Cuñado in September 2020 said that a certificate of "non-coverage for environmental impact assessment" was issued for the Manila Bay project.

The said certificate states that the project is not covered by the Philippine Environmental Impact System and thus not required to secure an environmental compliance certificate prior to the commencement of activities.

The DENR said “the project likewise passed the required environmental impact assessment.”

“Kung tama, nasa pamamaraang tama, sumusunod sa tama, at mga alituntunin ay tama, oh eh ba’t naman natin hindi susuportahan na umangat, umasenso, umunlad ‘yung buhay ng isang locality na ‘yon at tsaka ng kaniyang mamamayan?,” Moreno said.

(If it is right, done in the right way, following what is right, and the rules are right, then why should we not support the advancement and development of the locality and the lives of its people?)

He said he hoped that the gains for such projects would benefit the particular province involved.

“That’s what matters most to me—protection to the environment and economic growth para do’n sa mamamayan na ‘yon [for the locals],” he added.

Environmentalists and fishers' groups earlier criticized the project, calling it an artificial rehabilitation and a waste of money.

West Philippine Sea

Moreover, Moreno said that he would protect the country’s right to the West Philippine Sea through technical and physical efforts.

First, he stressed that he will insist on The Hague ruling in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 when it junked China's nine-dash claim over the South China Sea.

“We will continue and convince others multilaterally na ‘yung kasama natin bansa, ka-miyembro nating bansa, na tulungan tayong mapatupad nang tama in favor of the Philippines ‘yung decision sa Hague [for other countries to help us implement The Hague ruling in favor of the Philippines,” he said.

Moreno added that if he wins the May 9 polls, he will appoint a navy man as secretary of the Department of National Defense.

“Imbis na bumili ako ng kanyon, ng bala, para iputok ko sa kapwa ko Pilipino, ‘yung ipambibili ko doon, ipambibili ko na lang ng barko pandagat na tutulong pa in any given tragedy or challenges,” he said.

(Instead of buying bullets to shoot my fellow Filipinos, I will just buy a ship that will help in any given tragedy or challenges.)

It could be recalled that the Chinese Coast Guard in November 2021 blocked and water cannoned two Philippine supply boats on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.

China also demanded the Philippines to remove its grounded vessel BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal a day after Filipino boats reached the grounded Navy ship to complete their resupply mission.

Communication and internet

Moreno also said that if elected president, his administration will build a “national fiber optic backbone” to boost the country’s communication capability especially during times of natural calamities such as typhoons.

He said that this will connect the country’s islands and provide more reliable interconnectivity that is also needed for economic growth and enable the Philippines to catch up with the modern world.

“We will build our communication backbone, from the tip in the north and south, all the way, Luzon Visayas, Mindanao, via fiber optics,” Moreno said.

Besides building a national fiber backbone, Moreno also plans to acquire a satellite internet access provided by Elon Musk’s Starlink which is now being used by some 14 countries in the world.

“I hope someday that Elon Musk will be successful in deploying the low orbiter internet LAN or communication. So far, nagiging matagumpay ‘yung low orbit satellite internet connectivity na ginagawa ni Elon Musk sa Estados Unidos [has been successful in the United States] and I hope someday our country can acquire such facility,” he added.—LDF, GMA News