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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Environmental groups bike, jog to protest Manila Baywalk 'nourishment' project

Environmental groups bike, jog to protest Manila Baywalk 'nourishment' project

Published Sep 11, 2020 01:06 pm

Several environmental groups biked and jogged their way to Manila Baywalk Friday morning to protest the government's move to dump crushed dolomite rocks in the area.

( Photo from Pamalakaya/ MANILA BULLETIN)

From Rajah Sulayman Park, the activists carried placards calling for the termination of the project towards Manila Baywalk in Malate.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been dumping dolomite pebbles along the stretch of Manila Baywalk in a bid to improve its appearance. 

( Photo from Pamalakaya/ MANILA BULLETIN)

But Fernando Hicap, national chairman of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya (Pamalakaya), said the material used is "destructive to the marine environment" and will threaten the livelihood of fisherfolk in the area. 

"We demand the DENR to completely terminate the project or face loads of complaints over transgression of environmental laws," he said during the protest.

"This ridiculous and nonsense project should immediately stop and dump the remaining 'white sand' into the trash bin of stupid ideas," he added.

Despite the DENR's repeated assurances that the crushed dolomite rocks pose no environmental and health hazards, the fisherfolk group insists that it would disrupt Manila Bay's ecosystem. 

Pamalakaya members explained that the proliferation of "alien species" in a certain area would cause imbalance to its endemic fishery and aquatic resources.

Hicap also said that the project may be a "prelude" to reclamation projects in Manila Bay. 

"What we fear is not only the health issues being raised by experts, but this project might be in preparation for full-scale commercialization and privatization of Manila Bay to complement several reclamation projects," he said.

"Grand sellout of Manila Bay means massive displacement of coastal communities and widespread environmental destruction," he added. 

Members of Anakpawis Partylist, Nilad, Climate Change Network for Community-based Initiatives, People's Network for the Integrity of Coastal Habitats and Ecosystems, and Baseco People's Alliance joined the protest action.

Earlier, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso told critics of the project to trust the government, saying the DENR knows what it is doing.

"In a civilized world and a civilized time, we must be governed by law and order," he said in an online forum  Wednesday.

Domagoso urged critics to show proof that the white sand is hazardous so appropriate steps can be taken to address the issue.

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