House panel to probe necessity of Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project

The House public accounts committee is set to conduct a public hearing on the status of the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project, panel chairman Rep.Terry Ridon said Monday.

Ridon said the first hearing on November 17 will tackle the project's necessity based on the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan and the Supreme Court’s Continuing Mandamus for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

"The hearing will also examine the project’s flooding impact on adjacent Ermita–Malate areas, including the status of the Faura, Remedios, and Estero de San Antonio Abad drainage outfalls and any effects arising from the project’s engineering specifications," he said.

Likewise, Ridon said the House public accounts panel will also look at alternative interventions and solutions to further “clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay,” and improve its water quality to make it fit for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of contact recreation — the specific requirements under the Supreme Court’s Continuing Mandamus.

Ridon said the following agencies will be invited:

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• Department of Economy, Planning and Development
• Department of Public Works and Highways
• Metro Manila Development Authority and
• City of Manila LGU

Back in July, Ridon sought a congressional inquiry on the status of the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project amid massive flooding in the area during the rainy season.

“Specifically, it (Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project) caused the blockage of three major drainage outfalls—Faura, Remedios, and Estero de San Antonio Abad—forcing rainwater to be rerouted through a sewage treatment plant incapable of handling flood volumes during heavy rains,” the lawmaker said.

In addition, Ridon said that the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project was never part of the then National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-approved Manila Bay Rehabilitation Master Plan. 

The artificial beach was built during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020, The 900-meter long and 60-meter wide beach was later closed for expansion which was completed in 2022. —AOL, GMA Integrated News