By Chelsea Jewel S. Malonzo @Jewel_TRL
October 7, 2022
To celebrate International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, over 4,000 volunteers sanitized Dolomite Beach in Manila on September 17, organized by the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR). Even the government took part in beautifying Manila Bay by collecting garbage, which sparked controversy among the public.
(Source: inquirer.net)
Manila Bay Walk has become one of the tourist attractions in the Philippines. Furthermore, it became one of the noteworthy projects implemented by the Duterte administration, with a value of P389 million. Its purpose is to improve people's mental health since the stench of garbages affects people's condition. Although the reason is valid, there were still people who gave rational criticism regarding the overlaying of the sand with Dolomite, mainly because this happened during the uprising of COVID-19. People are expressing their thoughts and opinions that they should give the money to the poor since they are the ones who are unprivileged due to the lack of basic needs; thus, how will they survive? These remarks caused former President Duterte to call out those critics who interposed that the Dolomite beach is merely for aesthetics and made little contribution to the rehabilitation and restoration of the said location. However, this did not refrain former President Duterte from asking former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who instantly took the challenge to clean the Manila Baywalk.
On September 17, over 4,000 volunteers gathered to clean the Dolomite beach to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day. This global event unites countries and people to reach a common goal: to show concern by removing all unsanitary items from the oceans, rivers, lakes, shorelines, and waterways. The Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) upheld this event as a way to make the area swimmable and for relaxation to anyone who visits.
Before and After of Manila Bay
(Source: World of Buzz)
The picture above reveals the before and after of Manila Bay. Due to its success, the DENR finally opened the Manila Bay Walk Dolomite Beach to visitors on June 12, 2022, despite the challenges they faced brought by the pandemic. Secretary Jim O. Sampulna, a former DENR acting secretary, former DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, and Secretary Eduardo Año, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) led the reopening of the 500-meter beach.
Sampulna expressed, "After this exciting yet tough journey that began on January 27, 2019, we have maintained our will and persevered to bring about what skeptics once believed to be unachievable. Quick recoveries have marked the path from the coronavirus pandemic and renewed confidence as the nation welcomes the presidency of Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr."
Moreover, he reassured that the rehabilitation of Manila Bay would continue even after the administration of Duterte.
"Now that we have this beach, the bay and its shoreline are getting restored to their historic beauty, the breeze is delightful, and the bay is much cleaner." Sampulna declared.
This positivity is "to show that they genuinely exerted an effort to restore the beauty of Manila Bay. To add, Sampulna acknowledged Cimatu as the "mastermind" behind the rehabilitation of Manila Bay and Boracay; he even pointed out that the outcome came from the political will of former President Duterte's administration.
Reopening of Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach
(Source: Manila Bulletin)
(Source: Manila Bulletin)
Three hundred twenty-two thousand seven hundred eighteen visitors went to Manila Bay for the past two weeks since its opening on October 16, according to the former Manila Bay Task Force Ground Commander Jacob Meimban.
"People are now enjoying the advantages of the determined action of a Cabinet member to achieve good," said Cimatu as he extended his gratitude to the rest of his team, indicating that he could not do it if it were not for them.
However, the DENR received public criticism when other people noticed that the visitors violated the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. In the image above, it is evident that there was no social distancing, and there were children below 12 years old. Because of this, the DENR immediately took action by prohibiting children below 11 years will not be allowed. Meanwhile, children aged 12-17 can be vaccinated, which will be the basis for allowing them to enter Dolomite Beach. Nevertheless, according to the national government's Alert Level 3 guidelines, those under 18 are still not permitted to go out unless it is for essential purposes and outdoor exercises.
DENR officials almost faced the consequence
DENR officials were charged with violating health measures filed by the national government's pandemic task force from Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso's order.
Isko Moreno to ANC interview, "Charge those DENR employees who broke our policies. There is no use in them trying to apply it outside of their workplaces in implementing it for the people. Although we are being tough on the population, the national government is breaking the law. It doesn't add up and just doesn't make sense..."
Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya countered by saying, "what we do is we support the policies enunciated by the DENR. (DENR Sec. Roy) Cimatu already made categorical pronouncements as to how we will regulate [them]…so what we're going to do is just to support the DENR to ensure that all of these regulations are followed."
Malaya's statement, it means the agency will not file charges against the DENR officials since the DILG has no control over the operation and management of Dolomite Beach.
Improvements of Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach
Ever since the DENR officials received public criticisms, there are two marshals wearing signage of 'please wear your mask and face shield' to remind visitors at the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach to observe health protocols.
This photo was taken on October 25, 2021.
(Source: Philippine News Agency)
The DENR Climate Change Service officer-in-charge, Director Elenida Basug, mentioned that the rehabilitation's solid waste management (SWM) proposed action became the reason for improving water quality.
"This value (coliform) decreased from 5.75 million MPN per 100 ml in 2019 to an average of 21,100 MPN per 100 milliliters (ml) in the third quarter of 2021," said Basug.
When Cimatu was doing an inspection last June, he mentioned that the coliform level of Manila Bay should drop down to 100 mpn/100 ml to make the ocean swimmable for visitors.
Basug included the 19 000 cleanup activities connected to Manila Bay's rehabilitation. Between January and September 2021, a declogging happened. Additionally, to promote a clean environment, National Capital Region (NCR) provided pushcarts for selected barangay areas—to help improve the collection and transport of waste.
"DENR reported noticeable improvement in committing to improve the water quality of Manila Bay and continuing its work following the Supreme Court (SC) Mandamus," added Basug.
"Secretary Simatu said Dolomite Beach aims to inspire the change of demeanor among Filipinos and to reveal that a beautiful and clean environment is possible if one aspires to achieve it," Basug concluded.
13 Mandamus agencies assigned to preserve Manila Bay
Supreme Court issued an SC Mandamus on December 18, 2008, on Manila Bay, instructing 13 government agencies to clean, rehabilitate, and maintain Manila Bay. However, Manila Bay's DENR began its rehabilitation in January 2019, and the Dolomite Beach along Baywalk.
These 13 government agencies are DENR, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), and MWSS. These agencies are assigned to preserve and upgrade Manila Bay.
Furthermore, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System — Corporate Office (MWSS - CO), which Administrator Leonor C. Cleofas led, CESO IV, engaged in the opening of Manila Bay Walk Dolomite Beach and Heritage Cannon. Heritage Cannon symbolizes unveiling the achievements and challenges they faced in the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program. Afterward, this is followed by the reopening of Manila Bay to the public.
“Kailangan natin na magtulungan tayo, magkaroon tayo ng disiplina, to make sure na iisa ang ating layunin — maging livable at swimmable ang ating Manila Bay,” Administrator Cleofas responded in her speech. She even applauded the 13 Mandamus agencies and organizations involved who helped rehabilitate and restore Manila Bay.
Despite the obstacles and challenges displayed, MWSS-CO is committed to its mission of ensuring the provision of adequate and sanitary sewage services.
The rehabilitation and restoration have been part of former President Duterte's plan to salvage Manila Bay. After three years of battling for Manila Bay, it was indeed a Happy Independence Day when it was on June 12, 2022, when the said area has finally resurrected.
Keywords:
Dolomite Beach
DENR
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day
Manila Bay Walk
Tourist attractions
Before and after Manila Bay Walk
Duterte Administration
Health and safety protocols
References:
(2022, September 22). Duterte hits back at critics of the "white sand" overlaying at Manila Bay [Review of Duterte hits back at critics of the "white sand" overlaying at Manila Bay]. CNN Philippines. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/9/22/duterte-white-sand-baywalk-robredo-critics.html
Kritz, B. (2022, August 11). Gravel and grumbling. The Manila Times. https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/11/opinion/columns/gravel-and-grumbling/1854190
Photos Show Stunning Transformation Of Manila Bay After 5,000 Volunteers Cleaned It Up. (2019, February 11). WORLD of BUZZ. https://worldofbuzz.com/photos-show-stunning-transformation-of-manila-bay-after-5000-volunteers-cleaned-it-up/
Marita Moaje. (2020, December 30). 2020: Manila Bay dolomite sand project stirs controversy. Www.pna.gov.ph. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1125931
Miguel, M. (2019). DENR permanently opens Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach to visitors. Denr.gov.ph. https://www.denr.gov.ph/index.php/news-events/press-releases/4183-denr-permanently-opens-manila-baywalk-dolomite-beach-to-visitors
MWSS-CO Participates in the Inauguration and Opening of the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach and Heritage Cannon | METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https://mwss.gov.ph/mwss-co-participates-in-the-inauguration-and-opening-of-the-manila-baywalk-dolomite-beach-and-heritage-cannon/
Reyes, A. Y., Dempsey. (2022, September 18). Dolomite Beach becomes focus of coastal cleanup. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1665969/dolomite-beach-becomes-focus-of-coastal-cleanup
Teves, C. (2022, January 22). Manila Baywalk water quality improving: DENR [Review of Manila Baywalk water quality improving: DENR]. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166119
The shifting sands of public opinion: Dolomite beach attracts huge crowd. (2021, October 30). Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/30/the-shifting-sands-of-public-opinion-dolomite-beach-attracts-huge-crowd/
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