Jean Paula B. Roque, @kaaksyon_paula
BAJ 3A | PublicAksyon
Posted on October 7, 2022
Volunteers collect wastes along Dolomite Beach during a cleanup drive as part of International Coastal Cleanup Day. 📷 Miguel de Guzman and Ernie Peñaredondo
MANILA, Philippines – Over 4,000 volunteers participated in the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach cleanup in celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day on September 17.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) kickstarted the program anchored on the theme “Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source”.
More than 4,500 sacks of garbage were retrieved from the man-made dolomite beach.
DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa said the garbage consisted mostly of plastic wastes, dried water hyacinths, and marine debris.
The DENR Central Office provided 3,000 sacks through the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO), while the DENR-National Capital Region, which includes the DENR-MEO West, supplied 1,500 trash bags.
“Volunteers from government, private organizations, and private individuals came to the Baywalk’s coastline with their own garbage bags as well,” de Villa said in a statement released on September 30.
The Philippine Coast Guard help collect wastes on the coast of Manila Bay. 📷 PCG
Other participating national and local government agencies, including the Manila City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Maritime Group, and Philippine Coast Guard provided additional trash bags.
Private organizations such as Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines also took part in the program.
De Villa said that the Manila Baywalk reflects the collaboration among all sectors that is necessary to address coastal litter through targeted beach cleanup activities.
“However big and daunting the task is, we can make a difference by bringing communities and people together to clean up beaches. Proof of this are organization and individuals coming together at the Baywalk Dolomite Beach.”
DENR Environmental Warriors join forces for the cleanup of the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach. 📷 DENR
Tasked to oversee the maintenance of the 500-meter beach walk, DENR-MEO-West’s data has shown that 147,939 sacks of solid waste have been collected in cleanup activities from July 12 to September 14.
A total of 83,109 sacks of water hyacinth were also collected, including 2,224 sacks of marine debris.
The event is one of eight DENR-led cleanup activities in Metro Manila in the annual observance of the ICC Day held every third Saturday of September after former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Presidential Proclamation No. 470 in 2003.
CONTROVERSIAL MAN-MADE BEACH
The artificial beach has required regular maintenance since it was opened to the public.
The Dolomite Beach was developed as part of DENR’s plan under the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program launched in January 2019.
Workers prepare ground dolomite to create an artificial beach at Manila Bay on September 3, 2020. 📷 Richard A. Reyes, Inquirer
The rehabilitation project costs a hefty PHP 349 million.
Numerous social media users have expressed their dismay online over how much budget was allocated to develop it at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Hindi ba talaga kayo makikinig? Hindi ‘yan essential, hindi ‘yan need. Dios mio, ang daming kinakapos na talaga tapos uunahin niyo ‘yan? Are you so out of touch [and] heartless na pinu-push niyo talaga ‘yan. Such a waste of money,” one Twitter user said.
(Are you not going to listen? That's not an essential, that's not a need. My God, there are so many people who are lacking, but instead, you’re prioritizing that? Are you so out of touch [and] heartless that you are pushing that? Such a waste of money.)
Environmentalists have launched petitions in September 2020 to stop the dumping of crushed dolomite along the Manila Baywalk.
“It must be stopped as it has not undergone an environmental impact assessment nor a consultative and participatory process in both Manila Bay and Cebu,” the petition read.
Oceana Philippines, an environmental group, expressed their concern stating that the “white sand” does not appear naturally at the bay which can lead to the government destroying the natural ecosystem at the baywalk and the source of the artificial sand in Cebu.
Dolomite Beach on October 9, 2020. 📷 Grig C. Montegrande, Inquirer
“This will be a total waste of people’s money. Panahon na ng mga bagyo at malakas ang hampas ng alon sa Manila Bay pag may bagyo. The sand will be simply washed away by the waves and will mix with the black sand which is the natural element of this part of Manila Bay,” Oceana Vice President Gloria Estenzo Ramos added.
(It's the season of typhoons and the waves in Manila Bay are strong when there is a typhoon …)
“Many will be happier if they don’t touch the coasts, let nature heal, and most important, ensure full compliance of so many environmental laws which are not being respected and followed, even by government agencies. Government resources should be allocated more into helping Filipinos affected by the pandemic.”
Scientists from The University of the Philippines (UP) reiterated that the dumping of synthetic sand is not the best way of spending government money.
“The fund should have been directed to more viable, scientifically sound projects that can restore Manila Bay to a state that is fit for recreation.”
Despite criticisms, the government pushed through with the project and opened it to the public, saying concerned agencies and experts were consulted for it.
AFTER THE ONSLAUGHT OF KARDING
Karding’s aftermath in Dolomite Beach. 📷 Norman Cruz, Danny Pata, Manila Standard
As super typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) lashed through Central Luzon, heaps of trash were seen and collected on the coastline of Dolomite Beach.
Netizens have expressed their dismay online.
“Millions spent on this useless beautification project, and millions more to be spent to maintain it. Dapat kasi inuna ang basura kaysa sa pagpapaganda,” a user said.
(Garbage should be put ahead of improvement.)
“So, this is what dolomite beach will do. Every bagyo or anything na [dulot] ng storm surges, may basura. Then may cleanup after. Is that even efficient?” another user wrote.
(Every storm or anything [caused by] storm surges, there [will be] garbage. Then a clean up after. Is that even efficient?)
“Nasaan na yung mga panatiko? Ito na po ‘yung Dolomite niyo, paano na ‘yung mental health niyo oh. Anod na anod na ng bagyo ‘yung ipinagmamalaki niyong Dolomite Beach na milyon ang halaga. Sayang pera ‘di ba?!” exclaimed another user.
("Where are the fanatics? This is your Dolomite now, how will your mental health be? The storm's devastation has swept away the Dolomite Beach you’re so proud about, costing millions. Isn't it a waste of money?!)
At least 200 sacks of trash were recovered from the Manila Bay coastline on September 26.
“Sa may pampang ng dolomite beach, tambak ang samu’t saring basura gaya ng mga plastik na bote, straw, pakete ng pagkain, lata, tsinelas, kawayan, inanod na water lily, at iba pang dumi,” a PTV reporter said.
(On the banks of the dolomite beach, there are piles of waste such as plastic bottles, straws, food packages, cans, slippers, bamboo, water lily, and other dirt.)
Others insisted the Dolomite Beach did not clean up Manila Bay.
“It just moved the shoreline a little to where garbage will continue to pile up unless the rivers connected to Manila Bay is not cleaned,” a Twitter user emphasized.
MANGROVES, NOT DOLOMITE
Environmentalists insisted that the expensive beautification effort of the government would not solve Manila Bay’s persisting problems.
The UP Diliman Institute of Biology suggested planting mangroves instead of dolomite as part of Manila Bay’s Beach Nourishment Project, claiming it to be a cheaper nature-based solution that can contribute to biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation.
A mangrove conservation area in Candijay, Bohol. 📷 Bohol Philippines Travel Guide
“Having ecologically healthy mangroves will also help lessen heavy metal contamination, a condition that beset Manila Bay for a long time,” the institute said.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) promoted the same idea as one of the most effective nature-based solution programs that can contribute to biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation strategy.
“A similar ecosystem- and/or bay-wide approach can be implemented rather than in a narrow strip, which is the case in the recent beach nourishment project,” it emphasized.
“Collaborative action among institutions and stakeholders is needed to ensure that efforts to rehabilitate Manila Bay will benefit both the environment and the society,” the group added.
Online users have recognized the benefits of the proposed ideas and deemed them more appropriate.
“Stop this useless spending. If DENR can’t use it towards more useful projects like reef cleanups, mangroves, and reforestation, then just defund this department or transfer the money to social services and COVID relief. Wrong priorities,” a user said.
A mangrove conservation area in Talibon, Bohol. 📷 Bohol Philippines Travel Guide
“Mangroves have the natural capability to protect coastal and low-lying communities from floods and storm surges. They filter the water too, making it more habitable for marine life. I’m still pissed our taxes are paying for that dolomite bullshit,” a user claimed.
Teddy Baguilat Jr., a Filipino politician, activist, advocate for indigenous people’s rights, and former Ifugao representative also shared his thoughts online.
“I hope the first official act of new DENR Secretary is to not spend on Dolomite maintenance. Di naman puwede lumangoy ‘don. Spend na lang on mangrove refo, coral reef rehab, coastal cleanup, forest protection.”
(I hope the first official act of new DENR Secretary is to not spend on Dolomite maintenance. It is not allowed to swim there. Spend on mangrove refo, coral reef rehab, coastal cleanup, forest protection instead.)
As of writing, the DENR recommended the temporary closure of the beach to allow workers and other volunteers to clean the area further.
Keywords:
Dolomite Beach
volunteers
garbage
ICC
DENR
Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach
International Coastal Cleanup Day
man-made dolomite beach
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