DENR leads Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Clean-up

Updated: Oct 9, 2022

by Danica Marie R. Salvatierra @danica_TRL

October 7, 2022

Manila, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) leads a clean-up activity at the Dolomite Beach in Manila Bay on the 17th of September, 2022, on occasion of the International Coastal Cleanup Day.

International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day at the Manila Bay’s Dolomite Beach last September 17 (Photo courtesy of DENR)

Volunteers of more than 4,000 people from different government agencies join forces for clean-up activity of Manila Bay Dolomite Beach where they all collected approximately 4,500 bags of garbage.

3,000 of these trash bags were donated by the DENR Central Office, while the other 1,500 trash bags were from DENR-National Capital Region and DENR-MEO West, both through Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO).

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) helps in the clean-up activity at the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach (Photo courtesy of PCG)

However, Manila City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Maritime Group, and Philippine Coast Guard, some of the national and local government agencies also contributed extra trash bags for the clean-up activity.

“Volunteers from government, private organizations, and private individuals came to the Baywalk’s coastline with their own garbage bags as well,”

DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa said.

Scattered garbage on the shoreline of Dolomite Beach (Photo courtesy of Danny Pata)

She also added that volunteers have collected garbage composed of dried water hyacinth, marine debris, dried leaves, and plastic wastes.

83,109 accumulated bags of water hyacinth and 2,224 bags of marine debris were also collected by the volunteers on the clean-up activity.

As per DENR-MEO-West’s data, starting from July 12 to September 14, a total of 147,939 sacks of solid waste have been collected in cleanup activities.

One of these DENR-led clean-up activities is “Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source,” an event in Metro Manila that is annually celebrated every third Saturday of September.

Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines’ members joined forces with DENR for the clean-up activity in Manila Bay (Photo courtesy of Alaine Allanigue)

There is also an active participation and support from Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines for the clean-up activity.

As per de Villa, to deal with this kind of coastal problems, active participation from different government sectors is a target to be able to conduct beach clean-up activities, as what is seen in the collaboration of different government agencies for the clean-up of Manila Bay Dolomite Beach.

“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 organizations and individuals coming together at the Baywalk Dolomite Beach,” she added.

How did the Manila Bay rehabilitation project start?

Manila Bay went through numerous changes as a way to rehabilitate

and restore its beauty and uphold its economic and historic significance to the bustling city of Metro Manila.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Manila first lead the restoration project, in hopes of a clean and pollution-free environment.

Some volunteers from the general public for clean-up activity in Manila Bay Dolomite Beach (Photo courtesy of Lakbay 100)

Volunteers from the general public also contributed and joined forces for the clean-up of once a city’s glorious getaway of many.

The 900-meter Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach rehabilitation project of DENR first kicked-off when they ordered a strict enforcement of the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, also known as Republic Act 927 to buckle down on environmental issues and water quality pollutants in Manila Bay, last January 12, 2019.

Weeks after, on January 27, is the official declaration date of the start of the Manila Baywalk rehabilitation project headed by the former DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu.

Volunteers collaborating in the event are from different agencies, Local Government Units (LGU), and Private sectors with approximately a population of 10,000 individuals.

February 19, an Administrative Order No. 16 issued by the former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and signed by the Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to establish a Manila Bay Task Force unit in order to speed up rehabilitation operations and facilitate the technological advancement of the Manila Bay.

Dredging and desilting operations on the major river systems in the National Capital Region including Manila Bay has started on March 5.

Plastic garbage and fecal coliform bacteria were found and collected, thus the decrease of pollutants in the waters of Manila Bay in just a week.

June 20, a warning of permit’s suspension to all businesses and full closure against establishments issued by DENR to anyone that pollutes Manila Bay.

August 31, more than 3,810 tons of garbage, water hyacinth, and silt have been discharged from the Manila Bay coastline and drainage system since January, a rehabilitation report said.

As part of the rehabilitation project, on November 4, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) relocated a total population of 70,165 informal settlers from Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and Metro Manila.

After almost a year, August 28, 2020, the government allocated 1 billion pesos from its 2021 national budget for the resettlement of those affected by the rehabilitation program.

September 3, filling of crushed white sand or dolomite sand in the Manila baywalk on Roxas Boulevard began.

The following weeks, September 19, Manila Bay coastline was called the “white sand beach”, and it was opened for the public viewing.

September 20, the day of Manila Baywalk closure to finish its rehabilitation operation.

This process of beach nourishment, headed by the former DENR Secretary Cimatu received different judgements from the public.

This project shared both massive support and criticisms from the general public

As this project was implemented in the midst of the pandemic, people argued that the budget should instead be used to improve COVID-19 response and health of the population.

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan exclaimed that the government should prioritize addressing the increased hunger and joblessness that Filipinos are suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of dumping toxic white sand on the shores of Manila Bay.

Also, The Department of Health (DOH) cautioned against the use of crushed dolomite as artificial white sand, as it may cause negative issues and effects on the respiratory health of a person.

"Kung iniisip talaga ng DENR ang kapakanan ng kalikasan at ng taumbayan, it is but proper for them to immediately stop the dumping of dolomite,"

Nancy Binay said as a Senate Committee on Tourism.

She added,

"Walang public consultation, walang environmental clearance, hilaw... at malinaw na bara-bara at 'di comprehensive ang plano,".

Binay exclaimed that the public has the right to be informed about the project’s context, especially its impact on the environment and public health of individuals.

These criticisms were defended by the former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in an interview and said,

“I don’t buy that argument. Kasi alam mo, sa gitna ng pandemya, kinakailangan din na pangalagaan ang mental health”.

“I think ‘yung pagpapasyal sa mga lugar gaya ng Manila Bay na may white beach, hindi mo maqua-quantify ang epekto nyan pagdating sa mental health ng ating mga kababayan,”

he added.

He believes that the Manila Bay dolomite beach project renders its part in the mental wellness of people in the middle of the pandemic.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the budget for this was already approved, and only finished its initial rehabilitation in 2021.

Hence, the funds used for the dumping of artificial white sand in Manila Bay cannot be diverted to help Filipinos cope with the global pandemic as said by Benny Antiporda, the DENR Undersecretary.

Dolomite Beach re-opens to public

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the public which made the reopening of the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach truly successful,” said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu, after announcing the re-opening of Manila Bay Dolomite Beach to the public last October 16, 2021.

DENR was pleased by the strong public reception of the re-opening of the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach following the downgrade to Alert level 3 in Metro Manila.

DENR Secretary Cimatusaid that they will gradually expand the area accessible to the public for viewing in the coming weeks as they progress on with the completion of the project.

Visiting Manila Bay Dolomite Beach for its re-opening requires the public to make an online appointment at least a day before entering the area.

It is to keep with the minimum health and safety protocols as prescribed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), to prevent overcrowding of the beach area and provide the best experience for the visitors.

People who plan to visit Manila Bay Dolomite Beach are expected to comply with the guidelines set by the DENR for everyone’s safety.