DILG chief defends Manila Bay ‘white sand’ project

MANILA, Philippines — The criticism of the Manila Bay “white sand” project is misplaced, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said yesterday.

Año, who is vice chair of the Manila Bay Task Force, said dolomite used by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to “beautify” a stretch of the bay’s shoreline – is a common material used in beach nourishment in many parts of the country and the world.

“Once the project is completed, we invite the public to enjoy the rehabilitated and nourished beach and see for themselves if it is harmful,” he said in a statement.

Año cited the Department of Health (DOH)’s claim that the crushed dolomite used in Manila Bay is not a health hazard as its particles are between two millimeters and five millimeters, which is 100 times bigger than dust.

The DOH said only dolomite in dust form can be an irritant.

The DILG also said that only P28 million of the P389 million allocated for Manila Bay’s rehabilitation and cleanup in the 2019 budget was used for the dolomite, transportation cost, taxes and other fees.

Following criticism that the P389 million should have been used for the government’s COVID-19 response, the DILG said the bidding and awarding of the contract was done prior to the pandemic.

“The government cannot simply stop a project when it is already under contractual obligation to proceed. We also have a responsibility to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay for ourselves and future generations,” DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said.