By Ma. Andrea Erin E. Ramos, @Erin_TRL
October 7, 2022
MANILA, Philippines — After a massive surge of waste swept the artificial sand, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) pulled forth a cleanup operation in Manila Bay and the artificial dolomite beach on September 17, 2022.
As stated in the Manila Bulletin by Jel Santos (2022), The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported that more than 4,500 sacks of trash were collected during the cleanup of Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in honor of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day.
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos (2022) cited in the Manila Bulletin, who coordinated the event, at least 70 employees from the organization were stationed in the area and collected around two truckloads or about 40 feet of cubic meters of trash.
"Plastics are the most common trash found in Manila Bay. Undisputedly, it negatively affects the environment," said Abalos.
The organization invited the public to participate in the cleanup on Saturday by posting a "public advisory" on its Facebook page.
According to DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa, the Filipinos established a collaborative work during coastal cleanup along with their own waste bags, volunteers from public and private sector organizations and individuals arrived at the Baywalk's coastline.
This project aims to raise awareness of the importance of our oceans and seas for human life by cleaning them up through volunteerism.
She said that most garbage gathered was made of plastic waste, dried water hyacinth, and marine debris.
According to the marine debris program (2022), "Marine debris can cause a lot of problems for people, ecosystems, and our economy. It especially impacts wildlife." Whales, turtles, and other animals can become entangled in fishing nets and plastic packaging bands. Animals may become entangled in this debris, which can also cut into their bodies and hinder their swimming ability.
Human health may potentially be negatively impacted by marine debris.
As cited in the Manila Bulletin, more than 4,000 volunteers, according to the DENR, helped clean up the 500-meter stretch of coastline.
The collaboration of the Filipinos on the Dolomite beach boosts the adaptability team, which contributes a big help to the local economy and socializes with many people.
Cleaning the Dolomite beach also helps them socialize and meet new people. While other volunteers make the cleanup project their way of exercising or merely want to help and clean the surroundings.
As cited in the Manila Bulletin by Jel Santos (2022), "the DENR-National Capital Region, which comprises the DENR-MEO West, gave 1,500 trash bags while the DENR-Central Office supplied 3,000 of the 4,500 sacks through the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO)", said Rodelina de Villa.
The Manila City government, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, and the Philippine Coast Guard were just a few of the participating national, local, and private organizations that provided more garbage bags.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DNR), "Data from the DENR-MEO-West, whose task is to oversee the maintenance of the 500-meter beach walk, has shown that 147,939 sacks of solid waste have been collected in cleanup activities held from July 12 to September 14."
Many more organizations joined the cleanup, including Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines, which the DENR also confirmed.
This operation can implement collaboration in the workplace to help individuals become more robust and resilient. That is why many Filipinos who establish teams and work together are concentrated on the big picture. Filipinos work to improve both the organization and the Environment.
With all the help of the government, organizations, and volunteers, the cleanup operation in Manila Baywalk Dolomite beach is a success at the end of the day. Collecting all the product waste and helping one another is a big help to the economy, life, and the Environment
.
Hence, the cleanup operation received criticism on Facebook and other social media platform.
As cited in the Inquirer.Net, one of the commenters said, "You spent millions for the dolomite, then it would be the Filipino people who ended up cleaning,"
According to Jon Bonifacio, national coordinator of the Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment, cleaning up trash that has washed up on coasts is crucial.
On the other hand, "cleanup drives like this risk just being photo opportunities for our public officials," he said.
Everyone's opinion always matters. Sometimes, one's opinion can contradict other statements or beliefs, and the public will most likely engage on the topic.
According to Von Hernandez (2022), global coordinator of the group Break Free from Plastic, as cited in the Inquirer.Net, "We can't be spending millions of resources yearly without effectively addressing the roots of the problem."
Moreover, he added that "It is better investment for the government just to compel producers and companies to reduce and stop the production of single-use plastics and invest in proven reusable and … refilling systems"
The project, Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach, was promoted by the former administration of then-President Rodrigo Duterte as a strategy to improve Filipinos' mental health during the pandemic lockdowns. It started in the pandemic year of 2020.
Benny Antiporda, then-undersecretary of the environment and current administrator of the National Irrigation Administration, supported the plan and even claimed that the funding was "not enough" to enhance the water quality, not the bay.
Hence, as the Filipinos enjoyed the view and the beach as the pandemic year passed, many volunteers still joined forces to clean the shoreline and gladly helped one another either for personal reasons, for the economy, or for nature's environment.
With the collaboration with the cleanup operation, Filipinos tend to create a safer environment and increase overall productivity.
Keywords:
· Beach
· Dolomite
· Cleanup
· Manila Bay
· Covid19
· MMDA
· Artificial sand
· DENR
· Volunteers
References:
· Over 4500 sacks of garbage collected from Dolomite Beach — DENR. (2022, September 30). Retrieved from Manila Bulletin website: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/30/over-4500-sacks-of-garbage-collected-from-dolomite-beach-denr/
· Cruz, A. dela. (n.d.). 4,500 sako ng basura, nakolekta sa Manila Baywalk. Retrieved October 7, 2022, from Philstar.com website: https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/metro/2022/10/01/2213478/4500-sako-ng-basura-nakolekta-sa-manila-baywalk
· What to Expect at Manila Bay DOLOMITE Sand BEACH | Baywalk Sunset Walking Tour Video 2021 [Trending Issue]. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2022, from yodisphere.com website: https://www.yodisphere.com/2021/10/Dolomite-Beach-Manila-Bay-Baywalk.html
· Mendoza, J. E. (2021, July 26). MMDA conducts cleanup operations in Manila Bay, “dolomite beach.” Retrieved October 7, 2022, from INQUIRER.net website: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1464432/mmda-conducts-cleanup-operations-in-manila-bays-dolomite-beach
· Reyes, A. Y., Dempsey. (2022, September 18). Dolomite Beach becomes focus of coastal cleanup. Retrieved from INQUIRER.net website: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1665969/dolomite-beach-becomes-focus-of-coastal-cleanup
· Program, N. O. M. D. (n.d.). Why is Marine Debris a Problem? | OR&R’s Marine Debris Program. Retrieved from marinedebris.noaa.gov website: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/discover-marine-debris/why-marine-debris-problem
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